Common Rural Marketing Mistakes Wasting Your Money

Are you a rural business owner looking to make the most out of your marketing budget? You might be surprised at the ways you could be wasting your money. Here are 5 of the top money-wasting marketing mistakes that rural business owners make.

Give Me a Boost

First up, boosting Facebook posts or spending money on digital ads without a real plan in place. It’s easy to throw some money at a post and hope for the best, but without a strategy in place, you’re likely wasting your budget. Instead, take the time to identify your target audience, craft compelling ad copy and choose relevant imagery, and set measurable goals to track your success.

Mismatched

Next, be careful with your branding. Not adhering to your branding standards or not having them at all can be a costly mistake. If your marketing materials aren’t cohesive, you’re not presenting a consistent message to potential customers. Inconsistent branding can lead to confusion and lack of trust in your brand, which can ultimately hurt your bottom line. Make sure your branding guidelines are clear and followed consistently across all marketing channels.

Here’s Your Sign

When it comes to signage, it’s important to choose the right type for your business. A lawyer, for example, wouldn’t use a sandwich board. Feather flags are best for timely promotions, like outside of an office around tax season or when a business is having a grand opening. Vinyl banners can be cost-effective, but all it takes is one droopy corner to lower the perception of your business.

Lightbulb Moment

Lighted signboards can be effective, but they must be well-maintained and match your branding. Using unbranded stock imagery or failing to change the message on the sign can also waste your money and damage your brand. Hard to read fonts, glaring color contrast, or animations without thought or correct timing? A waste.

Bad Ads Make Us Sad

Paying for an ad in the paper with little thought and no real plan or strategy can also be a waste of money. While print media can still be an effective marketing tool, it’s important to optimize your marketing spend and use it as a supplement to reinforce your brand. Make sure your ad has a clear call-to-action and let people know where they can find you in-store or online. Be selective with your publications and choose ones that are relevant to your audience.

Here’s the Deal with Rural Marketing Mistakes

As a rural business owner, you want to make the most of your marketing budget. By avoiding these common mistakes and following sound marketing strategies, you can save money and see better results. Take the time to create a marketing plan, maintain your branding, and focus on the channels that will best reach your target audience.

Don’t be too hard on yourself if you’ve made these rural marketing mistakes in the past. Instead, use this information to move forward and make better decisions. With a little strategy and focus, you can make the most of your marketing budget and grow your business. And hey, we know some savvy folks who offer free marketing strategy consultations!