Launching or transitioning to a D2C business can be a very overwhelming process. On the one hand, there are tons of potential benefits, but on the other hand, there are also risks. One way you can help mitigate these risks and increase the likelihood of success is by investing in D2C marketing strategies. These strategies will differ from your typical retailer marketing strategies in more ways than one.
However, don’t let the fear of the unknown prevent you from taking a leap in your business journey. Instead, educate yourself on these strategies as much as possible and allow the experts to fill in the gaps when needed.
What Is D2C Marketing?
Direct to consumer, or D2C marketing, relates to marketing strategies for companies that sell their products directly to the consumer without the use of retailers or wholesalers. Cutting out the middlemen is very beneficial for companies looking to cut down on costs and maximize profits. For this reason, this business model has become especially popular with eCommerce companies that exclusively sell their products online.
That being said, although this business model has its benefits, it can be challenging to pull off — especially online. When your company is D2C, customers will not see your items on the shelves and be driven to buy them in-person. Instead, you have to find your customers and appeal to them all online. With the sheer amount of competition online, it can also be difficult for D2C businesses to set themselves apart from the competition. After all, if you can create an online business, what’s stopping everyone else from doing the same?
Thankfully, the right D2C marketing strategy can get your products in front of the right people online and show off what makes you better than the competition.
What Makes D2C Marketing Different?
As you can see, the D2C business model is different from the traditional retailer model. As a result, it requires a different marketing strategy. Since this model largely exists online, this means that you have to nail your digital marketing approaches to get awareness, exposure, and of course, sales.
In the retailer model, the retailer takes responsibility for most of the overall customer experience. For example, the retailer plays a massive role in how products are displayed and sold. You can get in-person customer service and salesmanship within the retailer model that’s simply not possible within the D2C model.
As a result, D2C marketing needs to fill in the gaps to make it an informative, positive, and worthwhile experience for consumers.
How Does D2C Marketing Work?
D2C marketing works by promoting brand awareness, product information, and customer service — all online. This can be done through various platforms ranging from social media to search engines to email. We always recommend an omnichannel approach so that you can cover all your bases and reach as many people as possible.
For example, you may want to consider creating a comprehensive D2C marketing strategy that involves channels such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, Snapchat, TikTok, email, SMS, and Google. D2C marketing also involves developing a user-friendly website where customers can access tons of information about your brand and products through pictures, videos, and reviews because customers who feel informed are more likely to make a purchase.
D2C Marketing Best Practices
Clearly, a lot goes into D2C marketing, especially when you consider all of the different channels necessary for an effective strategy. So how can you get started promoting your brand directly to consumers?
Here are some D2C marketing best practices to follow throughout your journey:
- Mix it up on social media. D2C companies need a bold social media strategy that goes beyond run-of-the-mill posts. Instead, invest in creating engaging content, whether it’s images, videos, live streams, etc. It’s also a good idea to combine original content with curated content from other sources. Be sure to put yourself on a variety of different channels — wherever your customers are, you need to be too!
- Provide incentives. Perhaps one of the best marketing strategies for D2C companies is to provide incentives for followers and customers. This could mean holding a contest and giving away money or a free product for following your page. This could mean starting a referral program for existing customers. It really doesn’t even have to be an extremely valuable incentive, just something to make the desired action worth their while.
- Utilize SEO. While social media is important in D2C marketing, so is SEO. By focusing on keywords, you can get your brand to the top of Google’s search results list — making it more likely that customers will see it and click on it.
- Work with influencers. Working with social media influencers is a great way to utilize existing networks. Followers relate to and trust influencers, and you can take advantage of this by partnering with them.
- Prioritize customer support: No amount of marketing will substitute for poor customer support. Prioritizing responsive customer support is an effective marketing tool that allows you to build rapport with customers throughout the buying process. Be there for them before they buy, while their order is processing, and after they’ve received it.
Where to Get Expert Help on D2C Marketing
With all these concepts in mind, it’s totally understandable that you may feel overwhelmed by the idea of D2C marketing. With that said, you shouldn’t let this stop you from either transitioning to D2C or launching a D2C company. While marketing is the key to success within the D2C model, you don’t have to handle it all on your own.
There are marketing experts out there who can help you with your D2C marketing strategy to grow your business. Just imagine how much work you could get done if you didn’t have to worry about managing your entire marketing strategy. The odds are that you would end up with better products and more satisfied customers as a result — so it’s really a no-brainer.
Experts like Greg Gillman have helped tons of D2C clients totally master their marketing game and bring in tons of revenue as a result. For example, Greg Gillman has helped brands like Adidas, Petco, Ring, Goop, Lunya, and Theragun generate nearly $4 billion in annual revenue.
While this number may seem unrealistic for new D2C brands just starting, you should never limit yourself. Instead, working with Greg Gillman can help you achieve your business goals and grow your company — achieving your wildest dreams in the process. No matter how big or small you are, Greg has the tools and expertise needed to get you where you want to be.
Wrap Up
While D2C definitely isn’t for everyone, it can be a great success model for small companies. By cutting out the middleman, you can enjoy more profits and a better relationship with your customers. This method doesn’t guarantee you success. Instead, you have to focus on D2C marketing strategies to get your name and products out there rather than depending on the retailer to do that for you.
With the right due diligence and support from experts like Greg Gillman, you can conquer the D2C model and achieve incredible success for your company.
Sources:
https://smallbusiness.chron.com/marketing-incentive-ideas-37485.html
https://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2020/01/22/what-is-influencer-marketing-and-where-is-it-headed/
