If you’ve been following the marketing and advertising industry, you’ve probably noticed a shift toward more “targeted” strategies. This is because of what we call the “vertical marketing movement.” The concept first emerged in the car rental industry in the 1980s. Since then, it has spread to many other sectors, with vertical marketing now being one of the most popular strategies for digital businesses trying to stand out from their competitors.
Vertical marketing is a strategy used by companies product or service offerings to target markets called verticals. They want to sell their products or services directly to a specific customer instead of selling them through a broader range of customers.
What is Vertical Marketing?
A vertical in marketing is a type of marketing that focuses on selling products and services to a specific target market or market sector.
A vertical in marketing is a specific target market on that businesses focus their marketing efforts. This could be a particular type of product or service, a specific region, or a demographic group.
The concept is very similar, if not the same, as concentrated marketing or niche marketing. According to Totempool, concentrated marketing allows companies to focus their efforts and resources on one particular market rather than trying to capture the attention of all possible customers. It provides better results by targeting specific audiences. A very similar concept to vertical marketing.
What Is A Vertical Marketing System?
A vertical marketing system is a set of marketing and operations strategies businesses use to sell products and services to a specific target market or market sector.
A vertical marketing system is the foundation of a successful vertical market strategy. It involves creating customer loyalty through strong relationships and effective sales and advertising campaigns.
How to Identify Target Verticals
The first step to identifying a vertical marketing strategy is to identify your ideal customer. This is important because you will want to target that audience specifically in your marketing efforts.
Once you’ve determined the demographics of your ideal customer, assess how your business can reach them with your product offerings. There are many ways you can find information about your target market:
- Research competitor websites and ads
- Check out what other companies are doing in the related industry
- Analyze social media data on platforms like Google Analytics, Facebook Insights, and Twitter Analytics
Advantages of Vertical Marketing System
The advantages of vertical marketing over traditional marketing methods are that it is more direct and it can offer a better customer experience.
With vertical marketing, you don’t have to worry about what your competitors are doing to compete effectively with them. You know exactly who your customers are, so you can focus on providing excellent service and products for them. And because you don’t have to worry about finding new customers for your company, you also don’t need to worry about how much money it will take to make this happen.
The strategy is cost-effective because your overhead costs are lower than traditional marketing efforts.
Furthermore, vertical marketing is excellent for companies that want a quick way to build brand recognition and establish customer credibility. In fact, many companies now consider adding a product or service they already sell through an intermediary vendor to include that particular offering within their vertical marketing system.
Drawbacks Of Using A Vertical Marketing System
While more targeted marketing is becoming more popular and makes sense for many different business models, there can be some drawbacks to using a vertical marketing strategy.
To begin, when a marketer uses a vertical marketing strategy, they cannot reach their customers at the individual level. Another drawback is the lack of diversity in their customer base. While this could be an appealing aspect of a vertical marketing strategy for some businesses, it could also limit growth if the company has limited access to new customers.
To avoid these pitfalls, companies need to make sure that they know what type of product or service they are selling before choosing a vertical marketing strategy. It’s also important to carefully assess your competition and ensure that you’re not trying to compete against firms with much deeper pockets than yours.
Example Of A Vertical Marketing Strategy
Home builders who target a specific sector, such as luxury homes or apartments for young professionals, are an excellent example of targeting a vertical market.
A digital marketing campaign from a home builder targeting a luxury type of consumer might include the following components:
- Facebook ads targeting interest and income
- Website content optimization about where are the most luxurious neighborhoods or the luxury decoration.
- Listicle YouTube videos
- Direct email campaigns partnering with luxury brands
The idea is to improve the visibility of the company’s brand by targeting customers based on their interests, income, and geo-location rather than reaching out to many people.
How To Create A Vertical Marketing Campaign?
To create a vertical marketing campaign, you should determine your target market first. This is the group of people for which your product or service is intended.
Once you have determined your ideal customers, you should focus on creating a product, services, and content that reaches them. Using digital tools to reach new consumers with content and specific offers from your business would be best.
Finally, keeping in mind the message you want to convey will help ensure that your campaign stays focused on what it’s trying to do rather than becoming scattered with too many unrelated messages.
Here are five tips for effective vertical marketing:
1) Know Your Target Market
Determining your target market is one of the first steps in designing a successful vertical marketing system. This may include surveys, focus groups, and analysis of your competition. Once you have a clear idea of your customers, it will be much easier to target your advertising and sales efforts.
2) Craft Unique Products or Services
It’s not enough to sell every customer the same products or services. It is essential to understand what makes your target market unique and offer products or services that meet their needs. For example, a car dealership might focus on selling luxury vehicles to wealthy individuals. A bakery might specialize in gourmet cakes made with fresh ingredients.
3) Build Relationships with Your Customers
Building relationships with your customers is key to success with vertical marketing. It’s important to remember that not all customers will buy from you every time, but those who do will be more likely to refer friends and colleagues.
Established and strong relationships through customer loyalty programs can also help build customer loyalty and drive repeat business.
4) Plan Regular Sales and Advertising Campaigns
It’s important to plan regular sales and advertising campaigns to reach your target market effectively. Sales tactics such as coupon codes, rebates, flash sales, and social media marketing can help you get more people quickly. And remember: consistent exposure is critical – don’t forget about your website, blog, social media profiles, and other channels!
5) Measure Results Regularly
Keep track of the results of your marketing campaigns by tracking key performance indicators (KPIs).
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a way to market your business in a new way that leverages your strengths, vertical marketing might be the solution. A vertical marketing system is a way to market your business across a vertical market.
You do this by creating a marketing strategy that includes identifying your target market, creating a strategy for that market, and directing marketing efforts to those people. It’s not just about the product or service you offer; it’s about the customers you want to target.
Christian has over ten years of experience in marketing agencies. Currently, he has been dedicating his time to a tech startup and also writing for major publications. He loves podcasts and reading to keep up with the latest trends in marketing.