Your Store is Live: Marketing Actions You Should Remember

Marketing Must-Haves for Your New Store

Congratulations on launching your personalized printing or photo printing store! Going live is a significant achievement, but it’s just the beginning. To succeed in the competitive market, you must implement effective marketing strategies to attract clients, build relationships, and drive sales.  In this guide, we’ll explore ten essential marketing actions that are practical, specific, and tailored for businesses like yours in the personalized and photo printing industry. Let’s get started!  

1. Optimize Your Website for SEO 

Why It Matters: SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is important for increasing online visibility. When potential clients search for services you offer, you want your store to appear at the top of search results.  

Action Steps:  

• Keyword Research: Identify industry-specific keywords your target audience uses, such as “bulk personalized printing services” or “custom photobooks”  
• On-Page SEO: Incorporate keywords into meta titles, descriptions, headers, and content. Use clear URLs and optimize images with alt tags.  
• Technical SEO: Improve site speed, ensure mobile responsiveness, and fix broken links.  
• Content Creation: Regularly publish high-quality content, such as blog posts, guides, and whitepapers, that address your client’s needs and showcase your expertise.  

Tip: Use tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console to monitor your SEO performance and make data-driven decisions.  

2. Develop a Strong Brand Identity  

Why It Matters: A strong brand sets you apart from competitors and builds client trust.  

Action Steps:  

• Define Brand Values: Define your Strategy. Clarify your mission, vision, and values. This document should answer questions like, “What makes your services unique?”  
• Create Visual Identity: Design a professional logo, select brand colors, and choose fonts that reflect your brand personality.  
• Consistent Brand Voice: Develop a tone of voice that resonates with your clients for all formal, friendly, or innovative communications.  

Tip: Consistency is key. Ensure all marketing materials, from your website to business cards, reflect your brand identity.  

3. Leverage Social Media Platforms  

Why It Matters: Social media is a powerful tool for networking, showcasing your work, and engaging with potential clients.  

Action Steps:  

• Choose the Right Platforms: Focus on platforms popular with your target audiences, such as Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, etc.  
• Create a Content Calendar: Plan and schedule regular posts that provide value to your potential clients and promote occasions and emotions you want to cause. It would help if you remembered that content depends on the platform you researched as the best fit for your potential clients. So, if you run a YouTube channel, you need to produce videos and shorts (Shorts are the spot to shoot, share, and binge short videos (think 60 seconds or less) on YouTube). 
• Engage Actively: Respond to comments and messages promptly. Participate in relevant industry groups and discussions.  

Tip: Use social media analytics to understand what content performs best and adjust your strategy accordingly.  

4. Implement Email Marketing Campaigns

Why It Matters: Email marketing nurtures relationships with potential and existing clients by delivering personalized content directly to their inboxes.  

Action Steps:  

• Build Your Email List: Offer valuable resources or exclusive discounts in exchange for email sign-ups.  
• Segment Your Audience: Group subscribers based on industry, interests, or behavior to send targeted emails.  
• Craft Compelling Content: Provide informative newsletters, promotional offers, and updates that address the specific needs of your clients.  

Tip: Use email marketing platforms like Mailchimp, GetResponse, Hubspot, or ClickUp to automate campaigns and track performance metrics.  

5. Utilize Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Advertising  

Why It Matters: PPC advertising places your store at the top of search results, driving immediate traffic from users actively searching for your services.  

Action Steps:  

• Set Clear Objectives: Define what you want to achieve: brand awareness, lead generation, or sales.
• Keyword Selection: Bid on relevant keywords with commercial intent, like “photobook gift for my boyfriend.”  
• Optimize Landing Pages: Ensure that the pages your ads lead to are relevant, with clear calls to action and easy navigation. 

Tip: Monitor your campaigns closely and adjust bids, keywords, or ad copy to improve ROI.  

6. Engage with Your Audience on Social Media 

Why It Matters: Building relationships with your customers on social media boosts loyalty and encourages word-of-mouth promotion. 

Action Steps: 

• Organize Giveaways and Contests: Encourage followers to participate to win and promote your products. 
• Share User-Generated Content: Repost photos or reviews from customers who showcase your products. 
• Use Stories and Live Videos: To engage your audience, provide real-time updates, product launches, or Q&A sessions. 

Tip: Use branded hashtags to create a community around your products and make it easy for customers to find and share content. 

7. Offer Exceptional Customer Service 

Why It Matters: Satisfied customers are more likely to become repeat buyers and recommend your store to others, amplifying your reach through word-of-mouth. 

Action Steps: 

• Provide Multiple Support Channels: Offer customer service through email, live chat, phone, and social media. 
• Train Your Team: Ensure customer service representatives are knowledgeable, friendly, and empowered to resolve issues quickly. 
• Implement Feedback Mechanisms: Encourage customers to leave reviews and provide feedback to improve services. 

Tip: Personalize your interactions to make customers feel valued and appreciated. 

8. Encourage User-Generated Content and Testimonials 

Why It Matters: User-generated content (UGC) like customer photos and testimonials builds trust and authenticity, showing real people enjoying your products. 

Action Steps: 

• Create Hashtags: Develop a branded hashtag for customers to use when sharing their purchases on social media. 
• Run Contests and Giveaways: Encourage customers to share photos or stories to win discounts or prizes. 
• Showcase UGC: Feature customer photos and testimonials on your website, social media, and marketing materials (ask beforehand if users agree to this activity). 

Tip: Always request permission before using customer content in your promotions.  

9. Invest in Content Marketing and SEO  

Why It Matters: High-quality content attracts potential customers to your site, educates them about your products, and improves search engine rankings. 

Action Steps: 

• Start a Blog: Write articles relevant to your customers, such as “Top 10 Personalized Gifts for New Parents” or “How to Create the Perfect Photobook.” 
• Optimize for SEO: Use relevant keywords in your content, meta descriptions, and image alt tags to improve visibility. 
• Produce Video Content: Create engaging videos demonstrating product usage, unboxing, or behind-the-scenes footage. 

Tip: Consistency is key; maintain a regular posting schedule to keep your audience engaged and improve SEO.  

10. Monitor and Analyze Your Marketing Efforts 

Why It Matters: Understanding what’s working helps you optimize your marketing strategies, maximize ROI, and make data-driven decisions. 

Action Steps: 

• Set Up Analytics Tools: Track performance using Google Analytics, social media insights, and e-commerce analytics. 
• Define KPIs: Key Performance Indicators might include website traffic, conversion rates, average order value, or customer retention rates. 
• Do Regular Reviews: Analyze data monthly to identify trends, successes, and areas for improvement. 

Tip: Use A/B testing to experiment with different marketing approaches, such as email subject lines or ad creatives, to see what resonates best with your audience.  

11. Try Influencer Marketing 

Why It Matters: Influencers have established trust with their followers. Partnering with influencers relevant to your niche can help you reach a wider audience and build credibility. However, choosing the wrong influencer or a controversial one with a different audience may bring the opposite results of the intended.  

Action Steps: 

• Identify Relevant Influencers: Look for influencers in parenting, lifestyle, home decor, or photography niches whose audience aligns with your target market. 
• Collaborate on Campaigns: Offer your products for them to review, unbox, or feature in their content. 
• Create Authentic Partnerships: Encourage honest feedback and creative freedom to ensure the content resonates with their audience. 

Tip: Micro-influencers (those with smaller but highly engaged followings) can often provide better ROI than larger influencers. It can also be cheaper for testing and the beginning of your journey with influence marketing. 

12. Explore Press Advertising 

Why It Matters: Advertising in digital or print publications, especially those focused on parenting or lifestyle, can effectively reach your target audience with high credibility. 

Action Steps: 

• Select Relevant Publications: Choose magazines, blogs, or websites that resonate with your audience. 
• Design Compelling Ads: Create visually appealing advertisements highlighting your products’ benefits and unique selling points. 
• Consider Editorial Opportunities: Submit press releases or pitch stories about your business to gain additional exposure. 

Tip: Track the performance of your ads by using unique discount codes or landing pages to measure effectiveness.  

13. Invest in Unconventional Marketing Campaigns 

Why It Matters: Standing out in a crowded market can be challenging. Unconventional outdoor advertising or field marketing campaigns can capture attention and create buzz. 

Action Steps: 

• Outdoor Advertising (OOH): Utilize billboards, bus shelters, or digital screens in locations frequented by your target audience. 
• Field Marketing: Engage in pop-up events, mall kiosks, or street promotions to interact directly with potential customers. 
• Creative Concepts: Develop memorable campaigns that align with your brand and resonate emotionally with consumers. 

Tips: 
Ensure your messaging is clear and includes a solid call to action to drive interested customers to your store. 
If you are worried about digital coverage of those activities, prepare a pre-press release and send it to local press and social media. 
To create a more significant buzz, invite some functions or organizations to co-host events.  

14. Engage in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Initiatives 

Why It Matters: Consumers increasingly prefer brands that demonstrate social responsibility. Partnering with foundations or associations can enhance your brand image and foster customer loyalty. 

Action Steps: 

• Identify Causes That Align with Your Brand: Choose initiatives related to family, environment, education, or community development. 
• Collaborate with Foundations or Associations: Partner on campaigns, donate a portion of sales, or sponsor events. 
• Communicate Your Efforts: Share your CSR activities on your website, social media, and marketing materials. 

Tip: Authenticity is crucial. Ensure your CSR efforts are genuine and align with your brand values.  

15. Choose a Brand Ambassadors

Why It Matters: Brand ambassadors can humanize your brand and create authentic connections with your audience. Whether they are celebrities, influencers, or everyday customers, ambassadors who genuinely love your products can promote them effectively, enhancing brand trust and expanding your reach. 

Action Steps: 

• Identify Suitable Ambassadors
• Celebrities/Influencers: Collaborate with well-known personalities whose values align with your brand and who appeal to your target audience. 
• Everyday Customers: Engage loyal customers passionate about your products to represent your brand and make it more accessible. 
• Develop Authentic Relationships
• Build Long-Term Partnerships: Focus on creating ongoing relationships rather than one-off promotions. 
• Encourage Genuine Promotion: Allow ambassadors to share their honest experiences and stories with your products. 
• Provide Support and Resources
• Offer Product Samples: Provide ambassadors with your products to use and showcase. 
• Share Exclusive Information: Give them early access to new products or insider updates. 
• Provide Marketing Materials: Supply high-quality images, videos, or branding guidelines to assist their promotions. 

Tip: Ensure that the products promoted by your brand ambassadors are relevant to your audience and priced affordably. This approach fosters inclusivity and resonates with a broader customer base.  

Launching your business and beginning the entrepreneurial adventure is hard when you do everything in a rush or without basic knowledge of how and when to take some steps, especially regarding marketing. Equally important is addressing the technical aspects of your business, such as setting up your website, securing it with HTTPS certificates, and other essential technical considerations. Check out our technical article on where to start with these crucial technical steps. These marketing actions will build a strong foundation for attracting and retaining clients. Remember, marketing is an ongoing process that demands attention, adaptation, innovation, news, and keeping up with trends. Stay informed about industry trends, listen to your clients, and grow strategies for sustained success.