Types of Marketing

Whether you are an online retailer or an offline retailer (such as a brick-and-mortar store), different types of marketing can help you strengthen relationships and boost customer spending.

A few types of retail store marketing that can have a significant effect on customers include:

Email Marketing

Technological advances have come a long way, and email marketing perfectly demonstrates that. According to information that OptinMonster has published, “Email marketing is a type of direct marketing that uses personalized emails to educate your email list about your product or services.” 

There are different ways you can use email marketing. This tool can convince your email list to sign up for a free trial, speak to a representative for more information, or purchase products and services directly.

If you want to email marketing to be effective, you need to educate your target audience about your products and services. For example, you can use personalized messages customized to where your leads are in your sales funnel. You can use promotional messages and nurture sequences to gradually move your leads down the sales funnel until they convert.

Email is both direct and digital marketing. It is a form of direct marketing because you can talk to your customers directly, improving your customer experience; however, it also requires the internet, making it digital marketing. With a strong email marketing campaign, you could even get a return of up to 36 dollars for every dollar spent. Therefore, it should be an important part of your retail store marketing strategy. 

Content Marketing

You need to separate yourself from the competition, and that is where content marketing that focuses on custom branding and unforgettable posts can be beneficial. According to the Content Marketing Institute, “Content marketing is a strategic marketing approach focused on creating and distributing valuable, relevant, and consistent content to attract and retain a clearly defined audience — and, ultimately, to drive profitable customer action.”

This form of strategic retail store marketing should help you target a specific audience. You need to figure out what your target market is interested in. Then, you can use different forms of content, including newsletters, white papers, case studies, blogs, articles, and handwritten notes, to attract prospects. Each component is essential and can help you establish a strong brand while positioning yourself as an authority in your field. You can also develop a content calendar, meaning that you will share different types of content at different times, gradually building an audience along the way.

Search Engine Marketing

To engage shoppers in the current environment, you must have a strong presence on search engines. Given that people use search engines when they are looking for products and services they need, you must make sure you stand out from the crowd. According to WordStream, “Search engine marketing is the practice of marketing a business using paid advertisements that appear on search engine results pages (or SERPs).”

As a part of your digital marketing strategy, search engine marketing (abbreviated SEM) is a great way to increase your online visibility. Paid search marketing can be one component of your internet marketing strategy.

The other option is an unpaid strategy, such as search engine optimization (SEO). Paid advertisements can help you get your name out quickly, but SEO might be more cost-effective in the long run.

With paid advertisements, you can position your name at the top of search results pages, helping you drive more traffic to your website. Then, as your search engine results rankings improve, you can shift more toward unpaid strategies, helping you increase your profit margins.

Given that 35 percent of product searches start on Google, you need to focus on having a strong search engine strategy for retail store marketing.

Social Media Marketing

Human contact is more important today than ever before. Social media marketing is powerful because it lets you interact directly with your target market. According to Investopedia, “Social media marketing (SMM) uses social media and social networks—like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram—to market products and services, engage with existing customers, and reach new ones.”

This is one of the most popular forms of digital marketing that you can use to achieve marketing and branding goals. There are plenty of popular social media platforms out there. The most common examples include Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.

One of the major benefits of social media is that you can quickly communicate with hundreds of millions of people. Still, you can also connect with your target audience on a personal level by responding to messages and comments.

An influential social media retail store marketing plan focuses on optimizing your social media profiles to better connect with your target audience. Different types of social media platforms have slightly different audience profiles.

You do not necessarily need a presence on every social media platform. Still, you do need to figure out where your target market hangs out and focus on developing a strong presence on those specific platforms.

Direct Marketing (Direct Mail Marketing) 

Direct marketing is important for creating authentic, genuine, personalized experiences with your target market. Business News Daily states, “Direct mail marketing is any physical correspondence you send to customers via mail to gain their business.”

Also known as direct mail advertising, direct mail marketing is a huge asset in the current environment. There are different forms of direct, reliable advertising. Direct mail marketing examples include postcards, handwritten notes, and flyers. 

Even though you may feel like it takes a long time to develop direct mail marketing materials, plenty of automations and integrations can make handwritten notes for retail stores go a bit faster. It might feel a bit old school, but one survey by Marketing Charts showed that direct mail campaigns had a higher return on investment when compared to online display ads. Therefore, handwritten notes for retailers can still be beneficial. 

Focusing on Direct Mail Marketing and Handwritten Notes

Handwritten notes for retailers can help you connect with your target market. If you want to produce the best handwritten notes for retail stores, there are a few important points to remember. 

What Are Handwritten Notes?

Even though handwritten notes for retail stores are among the oldest forms of advertising, they can still be very effective today. Handwritten notes are anything that looks like it has been written by hand that your target market can physically hold.

You may think it takes a long time to write handwritten notes for retail stores, but AI technology makes it easier for you to grow and scale your marketing campaign. The most effective handwritten notes for retailers will have high open rates while providing your audience an interactive experience.

Since your target market has to deal with a lot of digital noise today, handwritten notes for retail stores are a great way to stand out. These notes can increase retention rates, boost engagement, and reduce churn. 

Direct Mail Statistics

Evidence shows that handwritten notes for retailers are still very effective today. According to a study that was published in the American Marketing Association, titled Do Handwritten Notes Benefit Online Retailers? A Field Experiment, “A randomized field experiment demonstrates that presenting a handwritten note has a positive and significant effect on customer spending.” 

Several statistics, like those from Small Biz Genius, demonstrate the effectiveness of handwritten notes for retail stores. They include:

• 42.2% of direct mail recipients either read or scan the mail they get. 
• Direct mail requires 21% less cognitive effort to process than email. 
• Direct mail recipients purchase 28% more items and spend 28% more money than people who don’t get that same piece of direct mail. 
• 73% of American consumers say they prefer being contacted by brands via direct mail because they can read it whenever they want. 

Clearly, handwritten notes for retail store marketing can give you a significant investment return.

Why Should Retailers Send Handwritten Notes?

Handwritten notes for retail stores can be an absolute game-changer. Some of the biggest benefits include:

• Customized: Notes that are generated by automatic email systems are predictable and robotic. Instead, give your audience a personalized, customized message that helps your business stand out.
• Higher Read Rate: Nearly every handwritten note is read, while spam blockers usually filter out emails.
• Authentic Relationships: When you send your target market handwritten notes that are 100 percent unique, you can build strong, authentic relationships.

A research study published in Psychology & Marketing, titled The power of the pen: Handwritten fonts promote haptic engagement, even showed “the use of handwritten fonts on product packaging elicits an approach tendency and enhances haptic engagement, which influences product evaluation and choice likelihood.” 

Can Retailers Send Handwritten Notes at Scale? 

Yes, you can send handwritten notes at scale. Even if it takes 5 minutes to write a single note, it becomes impossible to keep up the pace if you need to send notes to thousands of people. Ultimately, writing all the notes alone would not promote a return on your investment.

That is why you need to use a professional handwritten notes service instead. With access to a service with plenty of talented professionals and the right equipment, you can get personalized, customized handwritten notes to your recipients as quickly as possible. 

The 7 Parts of a Wildly Successful Note

Effective handwritten notes for retail store marketing should have the following components: 

1. Opening

Always use the recipient’s first name in your opening to make it more personable. Don’t forget to include a warm greeting, such as Hey, Hi, Hello, or Dear.

2. First Sentence

In the first sentence, introduce yourself using your first name or your first and last name. Put a human touch behind the handwritten note. Assure you are optimistic as you explain why you are writing the recipient.

3. Body

In the body, explain why the recipient should listen to what you have to say. Don’t make the note too long, or the recipient will not read the entire thing. Try to make it 350 – 650 characters.

4. Value Proposition 

In the value proposition, you must explain the benefit the reader will get from your product or service. Ensure the value proposition is easy for the recipient to understand. 

5. Closing

As you close the letter, ensure you are consistent with your brand voice and personality. Make the closing as friendly as possible, and thank the recipient for his or her time. 

6. Contact Information

If the recipient wants to contact you for more information, how will they do so? Make sure you include your first and last name, the company with which you work, position, phone number, and email address.

7. QR Code 

Do not forget to include a QR code that will direct the recipient to an optimized landing page to increase your conversion rate.

6 Handwritten Note Templates for Retail Store Marketing

If you want to make your handwritten notes for retail stores as effective as possible, look at a few templates we can use to help you get started.

1. Thank You For Your Business + Review Request

Hi Jill,

I am reaching out to thank you for your business. I hope you’re satisfied with our work; if not, please call me so I can help fix whatever needs fixing! 

If you had a pleasant experience with me and my service, it would mean the WORLD to me if you’d write me a review about your individual opinion.

I’ve been working with the company for some time now, and so far, it’s been great, and I was able to provide for my family and me. I’m now trying to get a promotion, and every good piece of feedback could make a difference. Please go to www.website.com to leave a review. I appreciate your help and want to thank you again.

Best regards,

Stephen Miller – CEO
stephen@email.com
(555) 555-5555

Pro Tip: Your handwritten notes should have clear and visually-pleasing penmanship that looks distinctly human. If you hire a company that utilizes handwriting robots, make sure they use a real pen for both envelopes and the actual note.

Additionally, inspect their selection of fonts, check that the spacing and margins look natural, and ensure that each character is slightly different.

2. Reengage Customers + Coupon

Dear Martha,

Hello! It’s been a while since we last saw you at Stratford. I’m Tobias, the CEO at Stratford, and I’m writing to say we miss you. You last shopped with us in 2021, and we’ve added tons of new products and services that I know you’ll love. 

You’ve been such an amazing customer we’re including a 10% off coupon for your next order. Simply scan the QR code to activate the discount and head to our website. 

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to get in touch via email or by phone/text.

Can’t wait to exceed your expectations!

Tobias Anderson
tobias@email.com
(555) 555-5555

Pro Tip: When writing handwritten notes, use a real and high-quality rolling ball gel pen with blue ink for the envelope and the actual note. The blue ink will erase any doubt from the recipient’s mind that the handwriting is real. Additionally, ensure that the pen provides smooth, evenly distributed lines that are distinctly human.

3. Thank You For Your Order

Hello Troy,

I’m Izzie, the CEO at Digidits. I wanted to send you a message to tell you how honored I am that you chose us to fulfill your software needs. There are plenty of other options, but you chose us, and we appreciate you for that.

It’s support from people like you that fuels us every day. Let me know if there’s anything I can do for you – honestly!

Take care, Troy, and thank you again!

Izzie Maxwell
izzie@email.com
(555) 555-5555

Pro Tip: Ensure your handwritten cards feature a unique QR code sticker. This will enable you to track return on investment and direct recipients of the note to a website where they can find more information about you, submit a lead, book a call, place an order, or contact you quickly.

If you use a company to handle your notes, make sure they apply unique QR code stickers and send real-time scan alerts with full contact information for each person.

4. Rewards Program

Hi Nancy,

Do you like getting rewarded for your loyalty?

Most people do! That’s why we’ve created a free rewards program that gives Searchland customers special benefits for shopping with us.

For every dollar you spend, you’ll earn points that can be redeemed for discounts on future purchases. We also offer exclusive deals and coupons to members only.

It’s free to sign up, and there are no limits on how many points you can earn. So what are you waiting for? Sign up today and start earning rewards!

Sincerely,

Kent Newnan
kent@email.com
(555) 555-5555

Pro Tip: Use the right stationery when sending handwritten notes. We recommend 14 pt, 110 lb cardstock that is bright white with a smooth finish. The dimensions of the unfolded cards should be roughly 8.5” X 5”.

These have been tested and found to produce the highest response rate. Use one with an invitation quality and a linen finish for the envelope.

5. Word-of-Mouth Marketing Request

Hey Matthew,

Here’s what we know:

You like Perfect Shots.

You know people.

Here’s what we think you should do:

Refer Perfect Shots to people you know.

Those people make a purchase.

Those people get $50.

You get $50.

Refer a friend as many times as you want.

There’s no catch! Just people helping people discover the best brand for them.

High five!

Henry Matthew
henry@email.com
(555) 555-5555

(Text Cortex)

Pro Tip: For high-value clients, enlist an artist to sketch or paint a unique design on the front of the cards when sending handwritten notes. The artwork should be aesthetically pleasing but not too elaborate. Include in your note something like: “I commissioned this one-of-a-kind piece just for you – I hope you enjoy it!”

6. B2B: Referral Partner Request

Hi Carol,

I’m Molly and I’m interested in working with you! With your business in full swing, I wanted to reach out as I see the opportunity for us to pass referrals back and forth.

We are a marketing company that offers genuine growth, making us extremely complementary to your offerings. One thing that makes us stand out is our affordable rates.

Our ideal client is someone just like you.

I’d love to schedule a call to learn more about your business and ideal customer to see where we can help each other. Let me know if you have any availability in the next few weeks.

We are also offering $20 for every referred client brought in. Scan the QR code to refer someone today!

Thank you,

Molly Ringwald
molly@email.com
(555) 555-5555

(Fit Small Business)

Pro Tip: To ensure maximum impact, refine your lead list before sending any handwritten cards – use tools like LinkedIn Sales Navigator, ZoomInfo and RocketReach. As an alternative solution, consider working with a company that integrates handwritten notes with a detailed database of multiple filters.

Use Handwritten Notes for Retail Stores To Increase Your Conversion Rate

It’s essential to have a robust and diverse retail store marketing campaign to help you stand out. Handwritten notes for retailers can help you do just that. To maximize your conversion rate, consider using templates and a professional service to help scale your handwritten notes campaign.