Giving your business the edge in today’s saturated market takes some creativity and luck. And while we don’t really have control over how what kind of luck we have, we can certainly help nudge things in a good direction. How? With chocolate of course!
You might be asking the very logical question: How can I use chocolate to help the success of my (tech, dog walking, retail, cafe, start-up) business?
At Totally Chocolate, we have been helping businesses for decades come up with great marketing ideas in the form of custom chocolate. The following article will describe why chocolate is so effective as a marketing tool, and we will share some of our favorite ideas to plant some creative seeds for you.
Chocolate + Marketing = Business
When you think of effective marketing campaigns, what are the ones that stick in your memory? They usually contain something clever that makes them memorable, something that makes you chuckle or ponder or pause in one way or another.
That pause is key in marketing. If you think about how many marketing messages are in your world each and every day, getting a person to pause is a major accomplishment! Because it is in that pause that a potential customer will make an association or a memory, and the next time they need the services or goods you offer, the higher the chance they will think of you.
When you use chocolate for marketing, people will definitely stop and you will get that pause you are looking for.
Engage the Senses
Custom chocolate for marketing is more than just a gimmick — it is a full sensory experience. There is touch, taste, smell, and even sound if you snap chocolate in two. The more senses engaged in an experience, the more memorable it will be and the easier to recall later.
Furthermore, chocolate releases dopamine and serotonin in our bodies so chocolate positively enhances our moods, too. It’s a bit of a body hack, but one that people ultimately want.
Let’s do it!
Ok, so your curiosity is piqued and you want to use custom chocolate for your next promotion. But how?
We mentioned that at Totally Chocolate, we have worked with many clients who have had some very clever marketing ideas. We also have a catalog of products to choose from that you can customize with your logo. There are big chocolates, small chocolates, milk, dark and white. The possibilities are endless.
Here are some of the most effective custom marketing chocolate ideas we have come across in a range of price and event ideas. Don’t see what you are looking for? Contact us! We are always excited to hear about new ideas.
Grand opening
If you are launching your business with a grand opening or a pop-up shop, it is going to be an exciting event that takes a lot of planning. Pre-order custom chocolates with your business logo or your company’s launch date to commemorate the day and hand them out to your well wishers and new customers as a way to say thank you.
Holiday treats
Part of effective marketing means staying abreast of the holidays throughout the year and capitalizing on them. And not just Christmas but the rest of the holidays throughout the year, too. Look ahead at the calendar and see if there are ways you can tie your business to any upcoming holidays. Yes, there are the heavy hitters but what about Mother’s and Father’s day? The 4th of July? Black Friday? The first day of spring? Remember, successful marketing means getting creative! Then pre-order custom chocolates and hand them out at holiday events or during your marketing campaigns.
Trade shows
Custom chocolates are possibly the all-time greatest trade show handout. Think about the crowds of people who are aimlessly wandering the aisles, looking for something to catch their attention. Custom chocolate to the rescue! Standing out at a trade show is no easy feat, but custom chocolate is a pretty safe bet. We can guarantee you that people will appreciate a piece of high quality chocolate over a fridge magnet.
Gift with purchase
Adding a chocolate favor when it comes to billing or as a customer is paying is a small gesture that goes a long way. Totally Chocolate offers a wide range of custom chocolates in all shapes and sizes — from chocolate coins to custom shapes.
Marketing campaigns and giveaways
Think of creative ways to tie your marketing channels together. Harnessing the power of social media has never been more effective and if you can get people to repost something of yours, that is free marketing that takes on a life of it’s own. For example, offer people a chance to win a free package of your services or goods (including a custom chocolate bar/tower) if they repost to their feed. Then you can capitalize on announcing the winner and the word spreads.
In Conclusion
Novelty chocolate is at an all-time high and shows no signs of slowing down. But viral marketing campaigns and other marketing tricks are getting more clever, too. Standing out and getting people’s attention in a world where logos and messaging comes at you from every angle requires some creativity.
Do your research and try to come up with new ways you can get people to pay attention to your product. Enticing them with custom chocolate means that your logo will be associated with a very pleasant experience, and that’s what it’s all about.
If you have any questions about how you can get your logo onto chocolates, do be in touch!