There’s no denying, the current situation has caused significant challenges for many businesses, and companies such as print shops and direct marketing agencies are no exception.
Businesses across many sectors have reduced their budgets and canceled projects. Your business may be one of them. A recent survey showed that of B2B companies polled, 55% have cut their budgets this year, 24% have cut existing vendors, and 45% have halted projects or work with vendors.
But this time also presents new opportunities. Opportunity to expand offerings, such as email and digital marketing solutions (as digital interactions are now twice as important as they were before the pandemic). Opportunity to digitize services, thereby reducing expenses and increasing efficiency over time. And the opportunity to reach new markets that are seeing growth in the current environment.
To help you seize some of this opportunity, we’ve put together a short list of 6 high-growth industries and some ideas for how you can grow your offerings and revenue with them:
DIY & Home Improvement
One positive aspect of the stay-at-home economy has been a renewed focus on one’s home. Bank of America polled 1,054 Americans about their attitudes and shopping habits during coronavirus and found that more than 70% have decided to tackle home improvement projects, with more planned for 2021.
Printers and direct marketers can assist local hardware stores, thrift stores, and craft stores with custom-branded re-opening signs, workplace safety signage, social distancing stickers, and targeted direct mailers and social media advertising to get the word out about store offers and delivery services. Need assistance pulling the right mailing list and managing a social campaign for your clients? We’re just a call away.
E-learning
Traditional education has been greatly impacted during the pandemic, leaving lots of opportunity for e-learning tools and resources. While schools slowly reopen and families decide on possible alternatives to traditional learning, these e-learning resources will continue to grow in demand. Also, many university students will continue with remote learning.
Viable opportunities for printers and direct marketers exist in this space to connect with local charter schools, community colleges, and tutoring companies to promote new online offerings and communicate valuable information regarding learning, safety, and other helpful resources. Consider offering custom brochures and collateral as well as direct mailers and targeted online advertising to promote new e-learning programs.
Grocery & Online Grocery Delivery
Even as lockdowns are easing, it’s expected that the online grocery industry will grow. Online shopping is set to make up 6.4% of global grocery sales by the end of 2021, which is higher than the pre-coronavirus prediction of 4.6% of sales, according to Rabobank International‘s forecasts.
Direct marketers can help local grocery stores market their new safety measures and delivery services with custom bags, stickers, banners, direct mailers, and location-based targeting based on home addresses or visits to competing stores. (Not sure about that last one? Let one of our experts guide you!)
Healthcare & Telehealth
The healthcare industry has always seen steady growth, and the pandemic has drastically increased the need (and opportunity) for telehealth services. Remote diagnosis and treatment service Zipnosis reported a staggering 3,600% increase in its usage because of coronavirus.
Printers, direct mailers, and marketers can provide local doctors and healthcare facilities with custom-branded promotional materials and signage to promote clinic hours and enhanced safety measures. For clinics with new telehealth options, consider offering to promote them via direct mail, email, and digital advertising for a multichannel approach.
Home Delivery Services
Home delivery services will continue to boom after the pandemic. Between new and emerging grocery, food, and retail delivery services, this industry provides a wealth of opportunity.
Marketers and printers have a unique opportunity in this space to turn clients’ ordinary packages into memorable experiences. Add extra value to companies offering home shipping and delivery services by developing custom boxes, labels, and packaging sleeves. Get inspired by subscription box services and help your clients create special unboxing experiences and their own subscription services.
Movie Streaming & Over-the-top Services
Movie streaming via Connected TV services and Over-the-top (OTT) platforms continues to rise post-pandemic, though trends have been headed upward for some time. As of March 2020, Nielsen data showed that 76% of U.S. homes had at least one connected device.
How can printers and mailers take advantage of this opportunity? As an AccuData Reseller Partner, you can use our Connected TV Advertising services to both reach new business customers AND offer it to them to engage their own ideal audiences. With AccuData on your team, we can walk you through the entire process. Perhaps you can offer Connected TV advertising to a business in one of the 5 industries mentioned above?
With our B2B Marketing Solutions, such as targeted business lists, email marketing services, and digital advertising capabilities, you have lots of tools at your disposal to both reach and serve these growing markets.
Connect with a Marketing Expert today to learn how you can tap into exciting new opportunities for your business. We’re available to consult you on your business or your clients’ businesses and can help with strategic planning and campaign management. Leverage us as an extension of your team; we bring real-world knowledge in most industries and can help you bring new ideas to the table.