31 Marketing Tactics for Reaching Your Customers

Connecting with your customers effectively is the heart of successful advertising. Whether you're a small business owner, a marketing professional, or an entrepreneur, knowing the right tactics can make or break your campaigns. Advertising isn't one-size-fits-all, and with so many channels and tools available, it can feel overwhelming. But don’t worry—we’ve simplified things for you.
How to Get Started with Advertising
Here, we’ll explore 31 practical advertising tactics designed to help you effectively reach your audience, maximize your ROI, and build lasting customer relationships. Whether you’re dabbling in digital marketing or amplifying traditional advertising, these methods have got you covered.
Dive in and discover actionable techniques you can start using today.
1. Leverage Social Media Advertising
With billions of users on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, social media lets you reach your target audience quickly. Use precise targeting options based on demographics, location, behaviors, and interests. Pair your ads with compelling visuals and a clear call-to-action (CTA).
Pro Tip:
Start small by testing different ad creatives and targeting options to see what resonates best with your audience.
2. Start a Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Campaign
Search engines like Google and Bing allow businesses to bid on keywords relevant to their industry. PPC ads appear at the top of search results and are a great way to drive immediate traffic to your website.
Example:
If you own a bakery, bidding on keywords like “best cupcakes near me” ensures your ad is seen when potential customers search online.
3. Explore Retargeting Ads
Retargeting ads focus on users who have already visited your site but didn’t convert. These ads remind these potential customers of your brand as they browse other websites.
Tools like Google Ads or Facebook Pixel make it easy to launch retargeting campaigns.
4. Collaborate with Influencers
Partnering with influencers can help you tap into a pre-existing, engaged audience. Choose influencers who align with your brand values and have a following that overlaps with your target demographics.
Example:
A fitness apparel brand collaborating with a fitness influencer on Instagram can inspire purchases from health-focused audiences.
5. Utilize Email Marketing
Email marketing campaigns remain one of the most cost-effective advertising channels for businesses. Build an email list with high-value contacts and use email to provide value, promote special offers, or share company news.
Tip:
Personalize your emails with the recipient’s name and tailor content to their preferences for higher engagement.
6. Support Local SEO
Especially for small businesses, appearing in local search results is a game-changer. Optimize your Google My Business profile to ensure you show up in “near me” searches.
Action Step:
Include high-quality images, update your business hours, and encourage customers to leave reviews.
7. Host a Giveaway
Contests and giveaways create excitement around your brand. Require participants to tag friends, follow your profile, or share your post to generate buzz and increase your reach.
Example:
“Follow our page and tag 3 friends for a chance to win a $200 gift card!”
8. Run Sponsored Content Campaigns
Collaborate with publishers to create sponsored content tailored to their audience. Sponsored posts on media sites not only boost awareness but also build credibility.
9. Take Advantage of Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing compensates partners for promoting your product. It’s a win-win because you only pay commissions for completed sales.
10. Experiment with Video Advertising
Video content performs exceptionally well in grabbing attention. Platforms like YouTube and Instagram Reels give businesses an opportunity to engage users visually and emotionally.
11. Cross-Promote with Other Businesses
Team up with a non-competing business in your niche to co-promote your offerings. For instance, a gym can cross-promote with a local smoothie bar.
12. Offer Free Trials or Samples
There’s nothing more enticing than “free.” Offering free trials or samples builds trust and gives customers the confidence to invest in your product later.
13. Use Chatbots for Personalization
Integrate AI-powered chatbots on your website to assist customers instantly. These tools engage visitors, answer FAQs, and even recommend products.
14. Capitalize on Seasonal Campaigns
Run promotional campaigns around holidays or seasonal events tailored to what your audience values most during that time of year.
Example:
“Fall into Savings! 20% off all items through September.”
15. Utilize Referral Programs
Encourage your existing customers to refer new ones by offering them a special reward. It’s an easy way to grow your customer base through word-of-mouth advertising.
Example:
“Refer a friend and you’ll both get $10 off your next purchase!”
16. Create Interactive Ads
Polls, quizzes, and surveys make advertising fun and engaging. Tools like Instagram polls or Facebook quizzes can boost participation.
17. Advertise on Podcasts
With the growing popularity of podcasts, host-read ads are an effective way to directly connect with a highly-engaged audience.
18. Build a Strong Brand Presence on LinkedIn
For B2B companies, LinkedIn advertisements and posts allow you to establish authority and network with decision-makers.
19. Stop-the-Scroll with Stories
Instagram and Facebook Stories work wonders for driving engagement with short, visually appealing content.
20. Use Geo-Targeted Ads
If you’re a local business, geo-targeted ads on Google and social platforms ensure only people in your area see the ad.
21. Run Flash Sales
Create a sense of urgency with time-sensitive discounts. People are more likely to act fast when there’s limited availability.
22. Tell Your Brand Story
Ads that tell a compelling story evoke emotions and build brand loyalty.
23. Focus on Content Marketing
Share blogs, articles, and videos that educate and inspire your audience. Content marketing builds trust and turns potential customers into loyal fans.
24. Engage Through Webinars or Live Streams
Hosting live events allows you to interact with your audience, build relationships, and demonstrate expertise in real time.
25. Highlight User-Generated Content
Share photos, reviews, and experiences from your current customers to attract new ones.
26. Optimize Mobile Ads
With an increasing number of users browsing on mobile devices, ensure your ads and landing pages are mobile-optimized.
27. Create Shoppable Posts
Platforms like Instagram and TikTok make it simple to purchase directly from posts. Make sure your product pages are linked.
28. Test A/B Campaigns
Experiment with different versions of your ads to identify the most effective designs, copy, and CTAs.
29. Offer Loyalty Programs
Reward your returning customers with tokens of appreciation. Loyalty perks help boost long-term retention.
30. Attend Trade Shows
Set up a visually appealing booth and showcase how your product stands out from competitors.
31. Leverage Testimonials and Reviews
Incorporating glowing testimonials into your ads and website builds credibility and trust.
Drive Your Advertising Forward
There’s no question that reaching and retaining customers requires a solid plan. With the 31 advertising tactics outlined above, you're not just creating campaigns; you're building meaningful connections with your audience.
If you’re looking for more personalized strategies or assistance with implementing any of these tactics,
give us a call today. We’re here to help your business grow!