Illegal Marketing Techniques That Local Businesses Frequently Perform

Marketing plays a major role in the success of a retail business. If you aren't actively promoting and spreading the word about your store, you're essentially 'hoping' that customers will find it through word-of-mouth. Unfortunately, word-of-mouth will only take you so far; it's up to you to kick your retail business up to the next level through marketing and promotions. But there are a few things you should know before you begin a local marketing campaign. For a list of some of the most common illegal marketing techniques, keep reading.

Handing Out Flyers In Person

I think we've all been bombarded by someone trying to hand us a flyer in the parking lot of a grocery store or department store at some point or another. With so many people performing this type of marketing, it must be effective right? Even if handing out flyers yields some value for a business, it's illegal is most jurisdictions. This marketing technique falls under the category of solicitation, which is illegal unless you have the property owner's permission. And guess what, chances are slim to none that the property owner of a busy shopping center will permit you to advertise your local business.

Note: depending on your location, you may be able to hand out flyers on public streets. Again, this is something you'll need to check your local laws and statutes to determine whether or not it's legal.

Placing Flyers on Car Windshields

This marketing technique also falls under the category of solicitation. It's not uncommon for small business owners to promote their store by placing flyers on cars parked in a busy parking lot. While the laws vary from city to city, most have ordinances prohibiting this type of marketing. Disobeying this ordinance will likely result in a warning on your first offense, but continuing to place flyers on car windshields could result in a hefty fine. Save your money and resources for more effective, legal forms of advertising.

Placing Yard Signs at Busy Intersections

Ever pull up to a red light only to notice half a dozen or more small yard signs cluttering the intersection? For whatever the reason, this has become a popular form of local marketing for small businesses. And while it may offer some value when performed correctly, advertising your business with a yard sign placed at a busy intersection is typically illegal. City ordinance enforcers will scoop them up and throw them away faster than you're able to make them.

Creative Marketing and Advertising Ideas For Retail Businesses

There's no denying the fact that marketing and advertising are critical to the success of any retail business. Whether you are selling jewelry, electronics, cosmetics, apparel or simply operating a convenience store, you need to spread the word so potential customers will know you exist. Many newcomers to the retail industry fail to realize the importance of marketing and their business goes on under as a result. Here we'll take a look at some creative marketing and advertising ideas that work for any retail business.

Contest Giveaway

Contest giveaways are the perfect way to gain customers while spreading the word about your retail store. Not only will you get more immediate customers, but you'll also get more return customers as well. After all, everyone likes free stuff, so you'll naturally gain more customers. The trick to throwing a giveaway contest is to capture your customers' email addresses while they are checking out. Let them know that your store is throwing a giveaway contest and ask them for their email address if they would like to participate. Once the contest is over, you can still send out advertisements to those email addresses.

Sponsorships

It's a common assumption that sponsorships are a waste of money for retail store owners. The truth, however, is that they can be a powerful marketing tool when used correctly. For instance, a shoe or athletic store could benefit from sponsoring a marathon runner or athlete. During the race, the runner will likely be required to wear the store's logo; thus, spectators and everyone else around the runner would take notice of the store's logo. Sponsoring individuals and teams does cost money upfront, but it can be well worth the investment when done correctly. Try to think of events where your target demographic would likely be, and then you can search for sponsorships around it.

Flyers and Mail Adverts

Another simple and effective way to spread the word about your retail store is through flyers and mail adverts. Even if you have little-to-no creative design experience, you can still hire a company to professionally create them for you. Don't be afraid to take a trip up to your local post office and ask them what kind of advertising options they have available. Going around and placing flyers on mailboxes is typically illegal, but you can however pay the post office to legally do it for you. This is one of the best forms of advertising for local retail stores and businesses, so be sure to check it out.