The bang of the fireworks and the flow of champagne may be over, but the show doesn’t have to end here. In 2014, how are you going to build hype and create a lasting wow factor? A wow factor is a moment when your customers live through the experience or culture you are offering, and become hooked. Communications, finance, retail, technology, publishing, tourism; it doesn’t matter which industry you are in. It seems 21st century clients or customers want more than a transaction or a business deal. The keywords are now relationship building, culture, community or client relations. It’s still about understanding old buying cycles or client relations, but also anticipating emerging niche markets, responding to changes in the economic climate and doing so with confidence and brand integrity. Here’s three wow factor ideas on how to build hype and to keep your customers and clients wanting more from you in 2014.
- Grassroots and guerrilla campaign innovation
Have you reused the same marketing style for a couple of years now? It might be time to utilise some grassroots marketing tactics to wow your target audience. There’s a long history of recent successful guerrilla marketing campaigns, that involve creative messaging in public spaces – think a new QR code, a pop-up market or some creative signage linking to a new website.
Often, these campaigns tell a story about a brand – read some recent guerrilla marketing success stories for inspiration. The use of imagery in some of these campaigns is spot on wow factor and a great example of how to build hype. As you might be aware, it’s also essential to use social media to reach those who matter in your 2014 marketing campaigns, and create an engaging social media community.
Social media is the leading media for grassroots marketing innovation.
- Learn when to dance in the rain
- Grassroots and guerrilla campaign innovation
Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning how to dance in the rain.
- It’s a popular saying. Actually, it’s probably been turned into a few marketing memes. When we transfer this philosophy to our businesses however, the key here is flexibility. Everyone needs a solid
business plan
- . But, as the year unrolls, not everything is going to go to plan. Whether it’s a small glitch or a larger crisis, learning how to dance in the rain will be one of your wow factors for all customers and clients. Think going the extra mile for customer service when a business deal makes an unexpected turn, or anticipating the changing needs of your target market throughout the year.
- Excellence in simplicity
- All gimmicks aside, one of your most compelling wow factors may just be your ability to retain brand integrity and simplicity. Is it a spade? Well, then call it a spade. In an information saturated world customers and clients now respect honesty, brand integrity and clear messaging. By all means get creative, but remember who you are, and respect the needs of your target audience.
