In the past year customers have changed the way they decide on what products they are interested in and will ultimately purchase. To stay at the forefront of consumer buying power many companies are shifting their previous marketing tactics to new ones. It is crucial for brands to adapt to meet their target market, along with increasing sales. We identify these changes not as speed bumps, but as learning curves for all industries. 

The beginning of 2021 has had a strong demand for consumer goods, outdoor recreational equipment, home delivery services, and increased demand for subscription pet care. However outside of these consumer product demands moving upward, the environment has changed on how to reach your target market. In every industry for goods and services marketing has evolved over time. In order to understand this evolution, we take a deeper look into what those marketing processes are, and how we define them. 

Below are three trends we are noticing at the start of 2021:

1. Direct to Consumer Marketing - Direct to Consumer Marketing (DTC) is a method where a customer purchases their desired product directly from the brand, and not through a wholesaler. Wayfair and Chewy have posted record results since the start of the pandemic. The home retailer has benefited from both the category seeing a boom in recent months and more consumers shopping online. And Chewy, while not yet profitable, posted "record" net sales in the finish of 2020 grew its active customers to 17.8 million. With more time spent on a computer, customers are taking advantage of online shopping and direct shipping to their homes. 

2. Pop Up / Guerilla Marketing - Guerrilla marketing is a marketing strategy in which a company uses a surprise or unconventional approach in order to promote a product or service. With many consumers restricted with travel, more of them are attending smaller and localized events near their homes. To interact with customers and leave a lasting positive brand impression is imperative in these local markets, so more brands are aiming at this method. Mobility is high with these activations, as it requires a small team of brand ambassadors to approach and inform potential customers. Utilizing local event staff for this enhances safety in these local areas and provides immediate insight into the locale as well. 

3. Diversification Marketing - The strategy is to enter into a new market or industry which the brand is not currently in, whilst also creating a new product for the new market. Many brands target a new demographic to sell their product or service to. Marine and outdoor motorsport products surged to an all time high with new customers and first time buyers in 2020, now with that interest many brands are looking to expand into new customer markets. Product specialists, product unveilings, and sneak peak events are a great way to pique interest in your potential audience. Often social media, event venues, special conferences or trade shows are a great way to immerse your product to a sect of the population. This strategy can be the most difficult, however yield the greatest results when the new market proves an interest! 

Backwoods Promotions specializes in adapting with our clients marketing plans as their goals adjust every year! Our top-notch staff are true enthusiasts of brands they represent. They build rapport with customers and spark conversations that develop into meaningful conversations about every brand and industry. 

When a customer interacts with one of our product demonstrators, brand ambassadors, or hostesses the initial impression is the most important one. The interest that an event attendee has in a product is only the beginning of the consumer relationship! 

If your company has a new marketing strategy for 2021 we encourage you to contact us for a free quote or a conversation about your marketing goals.