The cannabis industry is growing, but it still has a long way to go. Unlike other industries, marketing opportunities are harder to come by because this is a business that is technically still illegal at the federal level. Fortunately, companies are popping up all over the place and at an increasing pace, dedicated to assisting with things like cannabis marketing and attracting clients to your cannabis company. Whether you’re a dispensary, a product manufacturer, or even a cannabis clothing and swag brand, you can do a lot with a $10,000 budget to get those new clients coming in.
Marketing cannabis is all about reaching the right audiences, taking advantage of things like SEO, and making sure that you create a personable, approachable brand that people feel comfortable doing business with. That can take some time, but it’s worth the effort because it will go a long way toward solidifying your professional reputation.
The first step is to come up with a plan. Nothing else can happen without a solid marketing strategy. When you’re reviewing the various efforts that you can add to your campaigns, you will probably find that some are more effective for you than others. Some marketing efforts work across the board and some may not be as effective for you as you’d hoped. To get you started on the right foot, here are five tactics to consider.
Cost: Free, unless there are memberships, etc.
Professional networking is an essential part of business. Cannabis companies, specifically, need to build strong networks so that people know they can rely on the brand for whatever they need. Connect with other cannabis businesses and industry partners. Make sure that your own professional image is as strong as it can be and that people know that your brand stands for quality.
You’re only as good as the company you keep. In today’s competitive landscape, that’s why professional networking can make such a big impression. The growing cannabis industry has a lot of potential in terms of marketing and outreach, and that starts with making the right connections and creating a solid foundation for your cannabis business so that your professional reputation precedes you in the best ways.
Cost: Free, unless you offer incentives
Getting reviews is a great way to build your brand reputation and keep your cannabis business growing. Word-of-mouth marketing is one of the most effective tools, still, and it’s going to get you a lot further than you might realize. Especially in today’s highly competitive landscape, people want to know that they’re working with the best. You will want to get reviews on your website, as well as your social media pages.
Perhaps the most valuable reviews will be the ones that you get on sites like Google, where your third-party reputation rating can go a long way toward giving your business a credible name. You will notice that some people post their own reviews without prompting, but you might have to ask for them in some cases. Or, create a referral program or review incentive plans and watch people talk.
Cost: Free
Social media is another tool that you need to utilize if you are going to get the business that you want. Cannabis is a highly social industry. Of course, you’ll want to continue that reputation by engaging with your clients and potential customers on social media. You will want to create robust profiles on all the major networks and make sure that you’re interacting with people regularly. Share content, start conversations, and more.
You can share your website content, such as blog updates or news and information, but you should also be talking about other industry topics and content. It’s not just about your business here. It’s about your customers. They want to know that you’re genuine and genuinely interested in their business, and that’s where your social media efforts can come in handy.
Cost: $250-$5,000, depending on what needs to be done
If you also have a local presence, as most cannabis brands do today, you’ll want to make sure that your local SEO is optimized. This includes the use of location-based keywords and searches for things like “cannabis near me” so that you can target all those searchers that are looking for local cannabis businesses. While there are some things you can do yourself here, it’s best to rely on professionals.
When you hire someone, they will review your website, including its architecture and sitemaps. They will also conduct an audit of your off-page content and make sure that everything is on point. They will come up with a list of recommendations based on their research and then work with you to implement those. When it comes to getting new clients, local SEO is a must.
Cost: $250-$5,000, depending on what gets outsourced
Outsourcing is not a new tool. However, it has gotten a bad rap over the years, which is what causes many people to avoid it or consider other avenues for getting things done. The fact is, though, that outsourcing with the right companies can make a big difference in a positive way for your cannabis business. Namely, when it comes to outreach campaigns, you can use the extra assistance.
When you partner with the virtual receptionists at Smith.ai, you’ll get that support for outreach along with a 24/7 answering service that will ensure that you never miss a single opportunity. Plus, we can even assist with things like lead intake, appointment scheduling, and live website chat so that you can focus on your customers and the rest of your business.
If you want to learn more, schedule a consultation or reach out to hello@smith.ai to see how our virtual receptionists can help your cannabis business with outreach and other efforts.
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