The 4 Basic Strategies Every Service Marketer Should Use
Service marketing is now a very specialized branch of advertising. Service marketing initially emerged as an independent field of research in the mid-1980s, soon following the realization that the characteristics of services needed very different approaches than the marketing of products. Today, service marketing encompasses a range of distinct and important service activities, each requiring its own unique marketing approaches.
Service marketing is an integral part of many marketing processes. It is usually seen as a complement to advertising. In other words, it helps to solidify your company's brand and position in the market through consistent communication with your target market. It is important to realize that service marketing should be incorporated into your overall marketing strategy and not used to replace advertising. Service marketers must employ sound marketing principles when designing their service marketing strategies. Below are several of the more common service marketing strategies:
- Communicate with your customers. When possible, avoid using technical terms for describing your service or product to assist customers in understanding what your service does. Instead, explain the function of your product or service in layman's terms and let your customers explain it to others. This will build repeat sales and word-of-mouth advertising.
- Provide information on your service or product. Your website can serve as an excellent resource for educating your customers about your service and product. Keep in mind that your website is a tool for communicating with potential customers, so never overwhelm it with sales and advertising content. Instead, provide useful and interesting information to educate your customers about your service. For instance, you can provide helpful tips, news and articles about service-related issues, or simply provide a forum for potential customers to communicate with one another.
- Partner with other businesses. Many service-oriented organizations (OSO) partner with other business types to promote their service. Incentives and partnerships can help to spread the word about your service and draw in additional customers. OSA's may also partner with businesses whose products or services compliment yours.
- Partner with government agencies. The federal and local governments have many grant-making opportunities available. These grants may be used to advertise your service, for example. In addition to federal grants, there are numerous state and local government programs that support service marketing strategies. To learn more about these programs, contact your state or local government office.
- Test your service. As mentioned before, this strategy is very effective, but only if you have tested it. Ask your customers to take part in surveys, evaluate your service, and determine how much value they derive from your service. Then, assess how well you've done. Measure your success using metrics such as satisfaction scores, response rates, average call length, etc.
Service marketing isn't a new concept. However, in an increasingly competitive marketplace, it's important to stay ahead of your competitors. Take the time to study your service closely and then develop your own service marketing strategies. This will increase your service's value and profitability while simultaneously increasing awareness among customers and your service-minded peers. Good Luck!
Do you want to make sure you're branding service efforts are visible? Consider the Power of Video. In recent years, service marketing strategies have been largely ignored due to the advent of digital technology and the worldwide spread of mobile devices. However, a new focus on video marketing has begun to gain traction, largely due to the fact that it is so easy to implement. YouTube and other video sharing services allow you to reach millions of people with a single video and are free to use.
- Invest in your reputation. Your service will be defined not by what you offer, but by the image you project. How well do you portray yourself in print, on the radio, and in person? Be sure to invest your money wisely in reputation management, as it is one of the most effective ways to improve customer service. Keep in mind that customers won't be convinced of your service unless they feel comfortable doing business with you.
- Invest in technology. Mobile apps are a great way to reach potential customers that might not otherwise be aware of your service. In addition to making it easier to get your message across, the app can provide critical information about your company that you wouldn't otherwise have access to without it. Take advantage of social media outlets to post updates, and consider the viral potential of Vine. This app allows users to post short promos, trailers for upcoming events, or their own words. By posting videos related to your service, you can quickly boost overall visibility.
Service marketing is an essential part of your overall business strategy. With the right tools, you can ensure that your service has every possible opportunity to succeed. To find out more about the latest service marketing strategies, contact a service marketing consultant today. Their knowledge and experience will help you stay competitive in the markets you serve
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