episode 20-season 2-creative-marketing

[00:00:00] Hello, Abanibhusan Bera here and welcome to episode 20 of EmpowerBiz MSME Growth Mindset.

[00:00:08] I am thrilled to be with you today as we discuss something that can really set your business apart from the competition and that's creative marketing.

[00:00:19] Now more than ever, it's critical for MSME entrepreneurs to think outside the box when it comes to marketing.

[00:00:26] Traditional strategies like ads and flyers are not enough. You need to find ways to stand out, be memorable and truly connect with your audience in a way that sparks interest and builds lasting relationships.

[00:00:43] And today I am going to walk you through how you can do just that.

[00:00:47] We will be discussing some innovative approaches that you can use to reach your audience more effectively.

[00:00:54] Whether you are working with a tight budget or you have got some resources to play with,

[00:01:01] the essence of creative marketing lies in how you position your brand and how you engage with your audience.

[00:01:08] So let's dive in and explore what it takes to be creative and strategic in your marketing efforts.

[00:01:17] Let me start with the power of storytelling.

[00:01:19] Let me start by asking you this.

[00:01:24] When was the last time you were moved by a product or service simply because of its features?

[00:01:30] I am willing to bet that most of the time it's the story behind a brand that captures your heart and this is why storytelling is such a powerful tool in creative marketing.

[00:01:43] Your story, why you started your business, what challenges you have overcome and what makes you different resonates far more with customers than simply listing features or prices.

[00:01:58] It makes your brand human and relatable.

[00:02:01] Your audience connects emotionally when you tell them about the passion driving your business.

[00:02:07] So how do you craft and share your story?

[00:02:11] Well, start by reflecting on your why.

[00:02:13] Why did you start this venture?

[00:02:16] What problem were you trying to solve?

[00:02:19] Share stories about the people behind your brand, your team, your customers, even your challenges and don't be afraid to get personal.

[00:02:29] Authenticity breeds trust and trust breeds loyalty.

[00:02:34] Now let's come to talk on user generated content.

[00:02:39] Here's a marketing approach that can be incredibly powerful and it won't cost you a dime.

[00:02:47] User generated content, UGC, it's not university grand commission of course.

[00:02:53] It is essentially content that your customers or fans create and share about your brand.

[00:02:59] Think of it like word of mouth marketing amplified through social media and other online platforms.

[00:03:08] UGC works because it's authentic.

[00:03:10] When people see others just like them using and loving your product, it feels genuine.

[00:03:16] They trust it more than an ad directly from the brand because it comes from real people.

[00:03:23] Encourage your customers to share their experiences with your product or service on social media.

[00:03:32] You can incentivize this by hosting a contest, offering a discount for those who post or even creating a branded hashtag that people can use when they share their content.

[00:03:44] Feature the best content on your own social channels.

[00:03:49] This not only builds rapport with your customers but also boosts your brand's credibility.

[00:03:55] Imagine this, your brand gets organically promoted by people who are passionate about what you do.

[00:04:02] It's a win-win.

[00:04:04] You will not only reach a broader audience but you also build a community around your brand that feels personal and authentic.

[00:04:14] Now it's time to talk on influencer collaborations.

[00:04:19] We can't talk about creative marketing without mentioning influencers.

[00:04:25] Influencer marketing has become one of the most popular and effective strategies to expand your reach.

[00:04:32] But the key here is to be thoughtful in how you approach it.

[00:04:36] It's not just about paying a famous influencer with a million followers to promote your product.

[00:04:43] Micro-influencers who have smaller but highly engaged audiences can be even more effective especially for MSM's.

[00:04:53] These influencers often have niche audiences and because of their more personal interactions with followers,

[00:05:02] their recommendations feel more genuine.

[00:05:05] When working with influencers, think about who aligns with your brand values and who resonates with your target audience.

[00:05:12] A collaboration with the right influencer can introduce your product or service to an audience that already trusts the influencer's recommendations.

[00:05:22] Let me give you a quick example.

[00:05:25] Imagine you own a business that sells eco-friendly packaging solutions.

[00:05:30] Partnering with a sustainability influencer who regularly talks about reducing waste, environmental impact and green products would make sense.

[00:05:42] Their audience is already aligned with the values your brand promotes making the endorsement feel organic and relevant.

[00:05:54] Next, let's talk on the interactive content.

[00:05:58] Engaging your audience in fun ways.

[00:06:00] People love to engage with content that's fun, interactive and gives them something to do.

[00:06:06] Whether it's a quiz, a poll or a contest, interactive content captures attention and encourages people to engage with your brand on a different level.

[00:06:17] For example, if you run a fitness business, you could create a quiz that helps users discover which type of workout is best for their fitness goals.

[00:06:27] Not only does this provide value to your audience, but it also establishes your brand as an expert in the field.

[00:06:36] You can also take this concept a step further with live interactive content.

[00:06:41] Host a live Q&A on Instagram or Facebook where customers can ask questions about your products or industry.

[00:06:48] This not only drives your engagement, but helps build a personal connection with your audience.

[00:06:55] You can even host live workshops, webinars or behind the scenes tours of your business to make people feel like they're part of something special.

[00:07:10] It's one thing to implement creative marketing strategies, but it's equally important to measure their success.

[00:07:17] After all, you want to know what's working and where to adjust.

[00:07:21] Use analytics tools to track engagement, reach and conversion rates for your campaigns.

[00:07:27] If you are using social media, platforms like Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn offer built-in analytics that can give you insights into what type of content resonates most with your audience.

[00:07:42] Don't forget about customer feedback.

[00:07:43] Sometimes the most valuable insights come from directly asking your customers what they thought about a campaign or piece of content.

[00:07:53] Their responses can provide invaluable feedback that can shape future campaigns.

[00:08:01] Thank you for joining me today as we explore innovative marketing strategies to help you creatively reach your audience.

[00:08:09] Remember, marketing is not just about selling. It's about building a connection, sharing stories and engaging with your audience in a way that feels genuine.

[00:08:20] Whether you are focusing on storytelling, user-generated content, influencer collaborations, interactive campaigns, the key is to remain authentic and true to your brand's values.

[00:08:33] If you found today's episode helpful, please subscribe, leave a review and share this podcast with other MSU Montrefiners.

[00:08:42] Visit our website msmegrowthhub.com for more resources and don't forget to join our MSME Growth Hub community to continue your journey towards business excellence.

[00:08:56] Until next time, stay creative, stay connected and keep growing.