Today, business operations have become reliant on technology and digital services. With the continuous growth of e-commerce, small to big businesses are now relying more on digital marketing than traditional. Sadly, this change in demand has been changing how people perceive the need for photo printing.
Ironically, many businesses still rely on professional photo printing even though it is no longer in demand as it used to be. As more people start their businesses, the demand for business-to-business printing needs continues. But even though that’s the case, many printing businesses still find it difficult to adjust to the current and modern demands today.
The ones who struggle the most with keeping up with modern demands are traditional and veteran printing businesses. As more new printing businesses open, it’s essential to incorporate strategies to improve your business, especially this new year. To start, here are seven strategies that you can start with this 2023.
1 – Rebranding
This first strategy might apply more to traditional and veteran printing businesses. Looking at the timeline of big, leading brands in different industries, you’ll see how they rebrand over the years. Rebranding is essential for any business to keep stirring demand and attention from its target market.
If you can’t remember the last time you reviewed your printing business’ branding, this is your sign to do so. You don’t have to change your business name, especially if that’s the foundation of your reputation. You can instead work on changing your logo design and colour palettes or adding a new phrase to your business tagline.
2 – Collaborating with other businesses
If you look at how businesses are boosting their marketing strategies today, you’ll see that they use brand collaborations to their advantage. But since the business nature of photo printing is different, it’s harder to think of projects to pitch to other businesses for partnerships.
One of the possible collaborations you can consider is with stationery or picture frame businesses. Since printing businesses have a wide range of products and services, you can look for brands that offer similar or related services that will attract your target market. If your printing business offers sticker printing services, it would be nice to collaborate with a stationery business.
3 – Expand and offer product or service bundles that would appeal to your audience
One of the things many printing businesses become complacent about is their products and services. Many small to medium-sized printing brands still offer the same products they started with and haven’t considered expanding. Expanding and improving your product and service line is necessary to get you ahead of your competitors today.
You can do this by researching and studying what your audience is looking for today. If your target market is students or young adults, offering service bundles like personalised printing and fine art printing for their files and photos would be ideal. Again, your product or service bundles will vary depending on the nature of your printing business.
4 – Build an online presence for your business
I mentioned earlier that many businesses from different industries today prefer online marketing instead of traditional. Since almost all of us are now on our phones and gadgets the majority of the time, there’s no reason not to take advantage of social media marketing.
If you don’t have social media pages or an online website yet for your printing business, this is your sign to start one now. Building an online presence has become the fastest way to raise brand awareness today. Also, an online presence is critical if you’re planning to close your physical store or start an online printing business. It will help you communicate and appeal to your audience quickly.
5 – Consider hiring marketing specialists to boost your brand strategies
One of the areas that many businesses usually need to pay more attention to is their marketing. Sadly, many traditional and old companies don’t see the importance of how their marketing affects their business success. Regardless of your industry or business type, having a great marketing strategy for your business will get you ahead.
Even though you’re managing a printing business, boosting your brand strategies is still integral. Most of the time, you need someone adept and knowledgeable in branding strategies to do it right. If you don’t have someone like that in your team yet, consider hiring a marketing specialist who’ll get you ahead in the printing business industry.
6 – Give paid advertisements a try to raise brand awareness and generate leads
Today, many businesses invest in digital marketing services like paid advertisements. Landing in the top results of the search engine is still one of the most effective ways to introduce your business to people. One way to land on the first page of Google results is through paid advertising.
Pay-per-click or PPC services allow you to target specific customers looking for your products and services. Google advertisements let you show your ads to an audience by personalising your demographics and location settings. You are also free to adjust your budgets anytime you want to. In short, you have control over how much you’ll spend and what type of ads and settings you’ll put out.
7 – Include freebies and discounts for first-time customers or loyal clients
Lastly, include freebies and discounts for first-time customers or loyal clients. One strategy new businesses use is to offer promos to their new clients. Many have been using this strategy even before the world became digital. But today, this strategy attracts people to try your product or service and leave positive reviews about your business.
Your freebies or promotions don’t have to be grand. It can be as simple as giving out free stickers, discount coupons, or notepads as your token of appreciation. Freebies give your brand a reputation that you’re giving back to customers and appreciate their loyalty.
Trying new tactics will help you constantly improve your business and stir audience curiosity.
As you go through the new year, you’ll encounter new printing businesses offering innovative and better services. But don’t let their fresh ideas stop you from improving your business. Remember that trying new tactics will help you constantly improve your business and stir your audience’s curiosity.
About the author:
Bianca Banda is a writer for DS Colour Labs Ltd (DSCL), a professional photography lab that offers a vast range of products and services for photo and print needs.