How to Digitally Reach New Movers – First
The Digital Age
Year after year, communication and information gets increasingly more digital – and connectivity through devices such as smartphones, laptops, and tablets grows more and more. Although this connectivity is amazing and progressive, especially right now, when we’re forced to solely communicate behind a screen to combat Covid-19, this digital world also comes with its challenges. Marketers like us have so many avenues to connect with current and potential clients, but those clients also have just as many avenues to miss, ignore, or reject us. “The amount of information available makes it difficult for us to focus on one thing,” making it hard to catch the attention of potential customers.
That being said – even when a customer is trying to focus on one company or objective, they’re often bombarded with other advertisements, notifications, and messages. Sometimes, “our own technology gets in the way of us creating that meaningful bond.” Our need for instant gratification can sometimes take us away from what we really want or need, and all of these different avenues of communication can cause an extreme lack of focus. On the other hand, customers are able to find out so much information, when and where they want to, at the push of a button.
Digital’s Effect on Marketing
This digital age has, like we concluded above, had a significant impact on the way we market to potential customers. Today, there’s a lot more to think about when it comes to reaching the correct audience, where and when it’s best to.
Before the digital age, marketing was simpler. Customers were targeted in a more generalized manner and only at times that would make sense to market to them. They were watching TV? They’d see an ad. They were on the train? There’d be a sign in front of them. They were driving? They’d pass a billboard. Different than now, they weren’t as constantly bombarded with information. They could choose to stay away from it entirely, really, if they wanted to.
Back in the day, companies marketed their “manufacturing prowess” – their skill at creating their product. There was no need to create a brand identity or use trendy messaging, because their product worked (and worked well), and that was all it took to convince customers. Companies also worked to reduce costs and limit choices for their customers. And the bigger the better – the more “well known” and big-business you were, the more trust people had in your company.
Fast forward to today, and things are a bit different. Now it’s all about “reducing friction” – making sure that it’s easy to understand, acquire, and/or sign up for your product or services. We’re still all about reducing prices, but not at the expense of quality. Marketing today is less about big companies and large corporations, and more about establishing a brand, a mission, and a community of customers and/or users. Lastly, it’s all about the two-sided network effect: “the effect of an improved user experience creating more demand, leading to more supply and more supply facilitating more demand — a staple of the digital age.”
As we said before, in this new age, consumers and companies can tap into and understand each other far more than before, through research, online tools, social media, analytics, and more. This, along with convenient and common communication platforms, creates a better experience for both sides, for the most part. Because of instant gratification and constant connection with technology, customer service is always on. Customers expect your company to always be available, at a rapid speed, no matter what hour of the day, and if you are or not, they’re bound to leave a review that lives online forever.
Digital hasn’t only given the customer greater access to you – but you greater access to your customer. You now have the ability to meet them with digital ads and other messaging on specific channels you know they’ll be.
Digital for the New Mover Market
Since it’s become a more exact science to meet your customers exactly where they are, meeting a large potential market – in their new homes – can be more accurate than ever before. New residents are in such a unique stage as potential customers, actively looking to establish brand preferences. Statistically, 70% of new movers make a decision on a company within 2 months after they’ve relocated. With this small window, it’s as important as ever to send them the right ads, messaging, and other digital communication to reel them in. In addition, “new movers are 2.8 times more likely to search for ‘How To’ articles after moving.” Make sure your digital messaging and communication is rich in content and out there for these new movers to find. Producing informative and unique content, whether it’s on social, in blogs, or in other online articles, establishes a level of trust that other companies may not be able to provide.
Additionally, you’ll want to make other digital connections with these new movers through social media, online assistance, digital display ads, and loyalty program offers. Try to stay “top-of-mind” without overwhelming them. Especially right now, when face-to-face interactions are extremely limited, ensure they know you’re there for them through reliable communication, and remember that there’s a human, not just an “additional customer” or number, on the other side. Create authentic, memorable experiences for potential customers, like gifts, unique social media communications, and more. Consistently target these possible customers through unique and eye-catching digital ads to slowly but surely establish brand presence. Lastly, let these potential customers digitally “get to know” you and your team by providing an “about us” page and/or personal bios.
Strata’s Digital Connection to New Movers
Strata knows how important it is to digitally reach new movers, first, and create lifelong, loyal customers. SmartMove Lite quickly establishes connections and makes a first and lasting impression. We do the work on the back end to establish who, where, and when you’re targeting these customers to ensure that you’re reaching them before the competition. Then, all you need to do is sit back and enjoy the results.
So, are you ready to start turning your new movers into new clients? Contact us to start brainstorming your new mover digital strategy.