Marketing Strategies - Marketing Plan for Ice Vending Machines
Sunday, November 24, 2013
Ice has been a commodity for centuries. However, ice vending machines have revolutionized the way that consumers are able to buy it, helping to create a multibillion dollar business. While it may be enticing to open your own ice vending machine business, the industry is very competitive, making it imperative to have a good marketing plan in place before deciding to enter the arena.
Identify a Target Market
Not every business has a need for ice vending machines, but hotels, private or public campgrounds and parks, resorts, theme parks, grocery stores, schools, gas stations and convenience store are among the many possible locations to consider. By making a list of the potential establishments in your target market, you will be able to see what your maximum penetration could be.
Survey the Competition
Examine other ice vending companies that operate in your area in order to learn about their product, prices and business practices. Drive to locations that already have similar machines to see what companies they are using. Compare their offerings to your own inventory to determine how you will stand out. Whether you plan to offer lower prices, extra services, faster ice production, more storage, or some other sort of bonus to your customers, you will need something that sets you apart to clinch more sales.
Print Marketing
Develop a print marketing campaign that includes your business cards as well as brochures, postcards, and fliers that outline your services. Put together mailers to send out to all potential customers you have identified in the area. After sending out your mailers, drive around the area, putting up fliers and leaving brochures or business cards where potential customers are likely to see them. You should also take out ads in local newspapers touting your products.
Engage Potential Customers
Selling a product like ice vending machines may prove easier to do when you can either call potential customers or speak with them face-to-face. Prepare some talking points and grab all the print materials you have, including your business cards, to hand out. Walk into each targeted establishment and ask to speak to the owner or manager on duty. Be prepared to make follow-up phone calls to any owners or managers who were unsure about whether to order one of your machines, as well as to any you were not able to reach initially. Always conduct yourself professionally; explaining what makes your ice machines better than the competition’s. Most importantly, do not be afraid of rejection.
Radio and Television Marketing
If you have the budget, consider marketing your business through both television and radio outlets. Talk to local radio and television stations to see what sort of commercial packages they offer. Make sure you ask about any seasonal specials they might be running. Use each commercial to highlight what makes your ice machines special, including how fast they work, how much storage they have and other positives, such as if your machines use filtered water.
Online Marketing
Create a website for your business that outlines your services and pricing strategy. Make sure your website utilizes the same logo and color scheme as your print materials. Establish a business profile on all of the major social media sites in order to build a large network that you can market your ice vending business through. Start a blog where you can post original articles about the ice business and link it to both your social media profiles and your website. You can also post an ad with online classified websites.
Tags:
Marketing, Marketing Strategies
Identify a Target Market
Not every business has a need for ice vending machines, but hotels, private or public campgrounds and parks, resorts, theme parks, grocery stores, schools, gas stations and convenience store are among the many possible locations to consider. By making a list of the potential establishments in your target market, you will be able to see what your maximum penetration could be.
Survey the Competition
Examine other ice vending companies that operate in your area in order to learn about their product, prices and business practices. Drive to locations that already have similar machines to see what companies they are using. Compare their offerings to your own inventory to determine how you will stand out. Whether you plan to offer lower prices, extra services, faster ice production, more storage, or some other sort of bonus to your customers, you will need something that sets you apart to clinch more sales.
Print Marketing
Develop a print marketing campaign that includes your business cards as well as brochures, postcards, and fliers that outline your services. Put together mailers to send out to all potential customers you have identified in the area. After sending out your mailers, drive around the area, putting up fliers and leaving brochures or business cards where potential customers are likely to see them. You should also take out ads in local newspapers touting your products.
Engage Potential Customers
Selling a product like ice vending machines may prove easier to do when you can either call potential customers or speak with them face-to-face. Prepare some talking points and grab all the print materials you have, including your business cards, to hand out. Walk into each targeted establishment and ask to speak to the owner or manager on duty. Be prepared to make follow-up phone calls to any owners or managers who were unsure about whether to order one of your machines, as well as to any you were not able to reach initially. Always conduct yourself professionally; explaining what makes your ice machines better than the competition’s. Most importantly, do not be afraid of rejection.
Radio and Television Marketing
If you have the budget, consider marketing your business through both television and radio outlets. Talk to local radio and television stations to see what sort of commercial packages they offer. Make sure you ask about any seasonal specials they might be running. Use each commercial to highlight what makes your ice machines special, including how fast they work, how much storage they have and other positives, such as if your machines use filtered water.
Online Marketing
Create a website for your business that outlines your services and pricing strategy. Make sure your website utilizes the same logo and color scheme as your print materials. Establish a business profile on all of the major social media sites in order to build a large network that you can market your ice vending business through. Start a blog where you can post original articles about the ice business and link it to both your social media profiles and your website. You can also post an ad with online classified websites.
