In The News | Market Yourself
It's the most wonderful time of the year, and as a business owner, you want to make sure you're doing everything you can to stay on the Nice List.
But what's the best way to do that?
To practice good, neighborly marketing, of course!
Good, neighborly marketing helps you attract and retain customers, and it enables you to maintain a positive reputation and build lasting relationships.
This article will look at six good marketing tips and how they can help you stay on the Nice List this holiday season and beyond.
Tip #1: Keep your marketing 100% legal and legitimate
When it comes to marketing, keeping yourself on the Nice List means playing by the rules. That means being legal, honest, and transparent in everything you do.
Your marketing messages should make it easy for people to figure out who you are and what you're all about. Remember, there are lots of laws and regulations that apply to marketing, like CAN-SPAM and Do-Not-Call. If you've got a professional license, you might have to include certain disclosures in your marketing.
Bottom line: make sure you know the rules and follow them. It's the right thing to do, and it'll help you avoid any headaches down the road. Plus, it will help keep that lump of coal out of your stocking!
Tip #2: Communicate value in your marketing
Hey, we get it - nobody wants to feel like they're being singled out. But targeting can be a super effective way to connect with your ideal customers.
Keep in mind that it can come across as a little invasive if you're not upfront about why you're reaching out.
If someone asks why you're contacting them, let them know that you're a local business and you thought they might be interested in connecting and learning about your products and/or services.
And if they're not feeling it, no hard feelings - take them off your list and move on. Remember, it's all about finding the right people and being respectful of their boundaries. It's what people on the Nice List are all about.
Tip #3: Respect privacy, always!
When it comes to marketing materials, not respecting your customers' privacy will earn you a one-way ticket to the Naughty List.
That means leaving out any personal or private information they might not want to share. If your targeting is on point and your messaging is killer, they'll get the picture without you having to call those things out.
Public records can be a great way to gather insights about your customers, but some people might not realize that this information is public. So if you want to win them over as a customer, getting into a debate about public records is most likely not the best way to start off on the right foot.
If something goes wrong and your mail ends up at the incorrect address, ensure there's nothing on there that could cause tension, embarrassment, or anger. We want to build relationships, not burn bridges!
Tip #4: Show empathy for your customers
To create valuable, impactful marketing, one of the most important things you can do is to put yourself in your customers' shoes.
Awareness of and sensitivity to their feelings, thoughts, and experiences can make your outreach much more effective. And seriously, nobody wants to be the person who makes someone else feel bad.
That's not what good neighbor marketing is all about.
If you make someone feel bad, they might get defensive or try to get back at you. But trust us, it's not worth the risk of getting a negative review, being talked about behind your back, or getting banned as an advertiser.
So let's aim to make our customers and potential customers smile instead. It's a win-win situation and may even make you a VIP on the Nice List this year!
Tip #5: Honor all opt-out requests
When someone tells you they don't want to receive marketing from you anymore, it's essential to respect their wishes. Not only is it the neighborly thing to do, it's often required by law.
When something's required by law and you don't follow the rules, you can be sure you're saving a spot on the Naughty List this year.
You'll save time and money by stopping your marketing efforts and avoiding potential conflicts. Plus, it's always a good idea to listen to feedback and see if there's anything you can learn from it.
On top of that, the feedback you get can help make your next marketing campaign even better. So, be friendly, appreciative, and pay attention to what your customers say - especially when they don't want to hear from you anymore! It'll benefit everyone in the long run.
Tip #6: Take the time to review your marketing
At PropertyRadar, we highly recommend reviewing your marketing based on your recipient's interactions and feedback, especially if your recipients complain or report abuse.
Recipient complaints about marketing almost always indicate that good, neighborly marketing practices are being ignored and marketing is being perceived as spammy, scammy, or insensitive.
This holiday season, always keep an eye on your marketing. Just like Santa, know when your marketing's been bad or good - and keep it good (and neighborly) for goodness sake!
