Sharon Greenberg is CEO of CryptoNext plc.
The hi-tech world is all about innovation, but the sale of a new product or service spanking can be a daunting prospect when your target audience has little or no understanding of what you do. If you do not know where to start with marketing your business, here is my guide to selling a product contains.
Educate your audience
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The first thing you need to do is to educate your audience. Establish your target market and then provide information materials using attractive media such as infographics, videos and simplified guides to effectively communicate the problem that your product is to solve, and why your audience needs.
Do not assume any foreknowledge, but do not talk down to your audience is; use images, analogies, charts and numbers - and if possible, humor -. to avoid patronizing survey
Provide information documents and commitment on the forums or online platforms like Quora not only help to explain your product but also to attract the interest of good people, and quickly establish yourself as an industry expert in a field that has not saturated with digital content.
Put the horse before the cart
Often it is not your right product that requires explanation, but the system which the product is based. For example, my company provides platforms for digital currencies like Bitcoin. Before I could market my platform, I often have to explain digital currencies and their merits; Only then can I sell products that complement their use.
As above, by providing information materials, giving lectures, blogs and industry news sharing will make people associate your brand with this new line of business, you giving a strong first mover advantage.
Repetition, repetition, repetition
When your product is not well known or understood, on purpose of your target audience to hear often about creating a level of familiarity that can add credibility and arouse curiosity to learn more. There are many inexpensive online advertising solutions that are designed to reappear, and planting your brand firmly in the consciousness of your customer.
Make sure you regularly post content on social platforms and redistribute some of your most successful entries. You can use tools and applications to gain time to schedule social media posts in advance.
Try to attend conferences and events regularly and put your name on everything you can get your hands on -. cheap sponsorships at local events can get your brand seen by the right people and in a new market that can actually work
Keep it light heart
humor is a great way to break the ice, and with products that are not familiar, this character is even more important. The emergence of social networking platforms as important marketing tools affected the type of content that is acceptable in business.
Lighthearted materials with good blob of personality are no longer considered unprofessional - just be careful and keep good taste
.facts and statistics Citation
You can not argue with well documented facts and figures from carefully. This will add credibility to your site or marketing materials and to inspire confidence in both you and your product.
Remember to include any external source of information you use, and the date or a broader context, if applicable. When using images, graphics or numbers, make sure you are not violating any restrictions on use.
Create excellent materials and be social about it
There is nothing worse than materials that contain errors, or a poorly designed marketing website. Take the time to create professional quality tools that keep with the latest technological developments, and ask for help with proof reading.
Consumers expect hi-tech companies to have a broad understanding of social media and online marketing tools. regularly maintain social networking profiles, display of intelligent content, have a kick-ass website and polished presentations show your consumers, investors and the community that you know what you are doing.
Even if your product is new, there will always be a small community of people who understand. Connecting with them on social opportunities can open doors and provide valuable insights.
Use online and offline methods to engage with those who understand your product or technology, it is based on, and how they came to discover why they are attracted to it and what their concerns. This can help you better understand your target audience, adapt your marketing strategy and engage your community to build a fan base.
be available
Be friendly in your inbox and encourage consumers to contact you by sounding open and accessible. An excellent example is a charming message I received from buffer when I signed up for service:
"I guess it's not every day that you sign up for a new service. that's why i want to make sure everything is in place to feel welcome and at home. on the slightest whim, please drop us a line and we Twitter. "
social platforms may seem to have taken over traditional methods of communication, but sometimes consumers just want to take a phone. Make sure your phone, fax and email details are available on your website, and provide additional communication tools such as chat or a quick contact form.
When possible, provide personal email addresses and direct phone numbers for staff so they can be contacted directly.
Stay open minded
Test different online marketing strategies and offline and keep in mind that you may have to adapt your methods. Analytics is an essential tool for monitoring actual results not only perceived success, and are available from most online platforms.
Tools such as SimplyMeasured provide free media social analysis reports across a variety of platforms. It is important to create your own analysis on the basis of what motivated you to try new marketing strategies and record your motivations, methods and outcomes for each time you make a change. You might be surprised by the common denominator of your success.
Share the love
A new thing is an exciting thing, and your enthusiasm will rub off on your customers if you share it. Do not hold your affection for your product - let it shine through and others will love it too
.Good luck
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Image credit Featured: Shutterstock / marekuliasz