Regardless of the industry you are in, marketing is essential to the growth and success of your business. This is particularly true in the screen printing business. A common question from people just getting started is how to bring potential customers into your print shop, especially if you are just getting started. Whether you go a more traditional route or opt to use digital marketing to grow your business, marketing is essential. There are many different marketing channels and platforms that you can utilize, with some being better than others depending on your area of expertise. If you want to learn more about how to market a screen-printing business, keep reading our blog post.
Establish a Marketing Strategy
Marketing is very competitive and constantly evolving, even in the screen printing industry. From traditional marketing methods like radio and newspaper ads to digital marketing methods like social media and pay-per-click advertising, there are no shortage of options to choose from. In order to establish which marketing methods are best suited to your business, you first need to figure out your niche industry. For small businesses, or if you are just starting out, you may not have the luxury of being picky about where your potential customers come from. However, you should have a rough idea about the kinds of people that are going to seek your services.
If you are based in a smaller town, your main clientele may be local people looking for t-shirts for their running club. For others, you may be asked to create a design and print shirts for a famous musician that is going on tour or a local sporting team. These are very different niches, and they should be marketed accordingly. Here are a few different methods of marketing:
Traditional
- TV, radio, direct mail, print, and outdoor advertising all fall under the traditional category. These tried and true methods seem boring in comparison to new digital ways, but there is still a place for traditional media in the marketing industry. This could be anything from a commercial, radio ad, pamphlet, or billboard.
Social Media Marketing
- Social media has changed the world, not only in how we communicate but also how we advertise. Social media marketing is a fantastic way to boost brand awareness and increase traffic to your website. Almost every brand has a social media presence and you should too! And with so many social media platforms to choose from, you’ll be well on your way to gaining new clientele.
Email Marketing
- Email marketing can be used to keep in touch with past customers, communicate with those interested in your services, and inform people about promotional products and new things happening with your business. It works well to foster a relationship between your brand and your customer base, utilizing engaging copy and designs.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
- SEO marketing helps by generating quality organic traffic for websites through search engine results. It increases the likelihood that the people who find your website are actually looking for someone that offers your product or service, therefore making it more likely that you will actually get a sale.
Have an Easily Accessible Storefront
Having a storefront is essential to any business, but especially those in a creative industry like screen printing. You can easily create an online portfolio of your work, but many customers would prefer to see what you can do in person. If they are knowledgeable about the industry, they may also want to see exactly which screen printer you are using. Make sure that your store front is in an easily accessible, central location; otherwise, you can expect to get frustrated phone calls from people who can’t find your location. You should also be sure to stock your store with business cards. This will help you maintain a presence among local businesses and encourage patrons to spread positive reviews through word of mouth. You should also make sure that you observe good customer service practices to those coming in your store.
Create a Show-Stopping Website
In our increasingly digital age, a website is just as important as your storefront. Most people don’t give a brand without a modern and fresh online presence a second thought, and all of your online marketing efforts will likely lead potential customers directly to your website. There are plenty of free or affordable, easy-to-use e-commerce website creating programs so you don’t have an excuse! Not only will your brand look more professional, but it will in turn help to generate leads and sales.
EXILE
At EXILE Technologies, we know that your business matters to you. That is why we have made it our business to offer many computer-to-screen printing solutions each with the specific ability to increase productivity and generate savings in your production area. Our high-quality products include the Spyder III, V-Lux, and more! Contact us today to learn how to market a screen-printing business, or about how adding a computer-to-screen imaging system can put your print shop at the next level.
