From small start-ups to global corporations, businesses today know that in order to succeed, they need to be creative in their marketing strategies. While there is no one-size-fits-all approach, some of the most successful businesses use real-world examples to showcase innovative marketing tactics. In this article, we’ll explore several examples of clever marketing strategies that promote success.
1. Harnessing the Power of Word-of-Mouth: The Starbucks Example
Word-of-mouth marketing is one of the most effective ways to promote products and services, and Starbucks South Africa has harnessed the power of this strategy to great effect. The Company has raised awareness of their products and services through the use of innovative tactics, all of which have made it easier for customers to spread the word about the Starbucks experience.
Starbucks South Africa’s Strategies:
- The ‘Been There Member’ Rewards Program allows customers to refer a friend and earn an extra reward.
- Customers making a purchase using the Starbucks App are rewarded with extra loyalty points.
- Using Facebook’s Open Graph API, customers can share their Starbucks experiences with their friends.
- The Company maintains an up-to-date blog where they share the latest promos, new products and exciting experiences.
The combination of rewards, incentives and content sharing on digital platforms has enabled Starbucks South Africa to reach a broader audience and increase the company’s visibility nationwide. With a stronger focus on customer service, the brand has become synonymous with quality and convenience. As a result, a surge of customers have embraced the Starbucks experience.
2. Leveraging Social Media Platforms: The Arby’s Way
Social media marketing is becoming an increasingly important part of any effective marketing strategy. For Arby’s, having a presence on social media was the key to success in South Africa. Arby’s have an interactive platform that meets the needs of South African customers, interacting with them on a personal level, as well as showcasing their latest products.
- Growing their Local Presence: Arby’s used their social media presence to grow their recognition in SA, connecting to new customers from across the country.
- Brand Engagement: Arby’s ran promotions on their Facebook and Twitter platforms, which allowed customers to enter competitions and win exclusive prizes.
- Insightful Engagement: Arby’s used their analytics to gain insights into their target market, allowing them to create content that was tailored to the interests of their customers.
Using these strategies, Arby’s created an effective presence on social media in SA, successfully connecting with their target market and growing their brand recognition.
3. Highlighting Brand Ambassadors: The Nike Story
Nike has built its reputation on its iconic tagline, ”Just Do It”, and its philosophy of inspiring athletes to reach their fullest potential. The brand’s success has been driven by an impressive commitment to propelling athletes to higher heights, as is evident in their strategies for highlighting brand ambassadors in South Africa.
- South Africa is home to many Nike ambassadors – including walking trailblazers like iconic marathoner Josia Thugwane, soccer superstar and captain of Bafana Bafana, Itumeleng Khune, and rugby sensation Siya Kolisi.
- These ambassadors have achieved astounding success on and off the field, inspiring their fellow South Africans and propelling Nike into the stratosphere.
- Through their campaigns, Nike has created a powerful dialogue around their “Just Do It” mantra, and empowered fans to aim higher.
South Africans respond to Nike’s stories of empowerment. Its ambassadors have become heroes, and South African Pride overflows whenever Nike athletes are in the spotlight. Nike’s remarkable ability to use their savvy brand ambassadors to showcase inspiration and success gives the brand an impressive leg up on rising above the competition.
Conclusion
To determine what works best for your business, consider the real-world examples outlined in this article. When used together, these marketing strategies can bring great success and maximize brand’s visibility. While each situation may be unique, these strategies can serve as a great starting point for any marketing campaign. With the assistance of these real-world examples, you can be sure to steer your business towards success.
