MSP Marketing Strategies That Generate Business

Effective marketing strategies help managed service providers (MSPs) stand out among their competition. Marketing strategies that are grounded in fundamental marketing principles have proven time and time again to be successful. While some marketing tricks and tactics come and go like the wind, these MSP marketing strategies and incredible hacks continue to help MSPs generate business and reach their goals.

Perhaps you need some fresh marketing “hacks” to get that growth you’ve been searching for.

While we wouldn’t call some of these easy, they’re sure-fire ways to get the results you’re after. Here are our top marketing strategies that your IT company must implement to generate business:

1. Web design
MSP marketing starts with web design. Having a clean, polished, and easy to use website is the number one way for an MSP to establish themselves as an industry leader. Some of the important marketing strategies that can be used on a website include the following:

• Images and graphics
• Videos
• Copywriting

The best websites are those that use all three of these strategies to reach out to clients. A successful web-design marketing strategy is one that uses every element of web design to lead users to purchase services. It works across all platforms, including tablets and smartphones. This ensures users can use the site from anywhere.

2. Search engine optimization
Search engine optimization (SEO) helps MSPs get on the first page of Google search results and be seen by potential clients. The best SEO marketing strategies are those that are focused on helping users. The following are proven SEO strategies:

• Frequently updated web content
• Keywords and links
• SEO-friendly website code

Through SEO, IT companies are able to channel potential clients to their website. If the website is designed properly, users will interact with it and business will be generated. It’s important that you not only optimize your main web pages but also your landing pages. There’s nothing worse than clicking on an ad that takes you to a completely useless page. Having the right advertisements and corresponding landing pages can make or break a campaign. We all know the importance of first impressions. Optimize your content, call-to-action, and layout of the landing page. Keep everything useful, relevant, and user-friendly. Otherwise, prospects will bounce right off the page and into your competitor’s hands. Professional marketing companies are able to use web design and SEO to perfectly complement one another and generate business in a way no other outlet can.

3. Branding
Branding is what helps MSPs extend their reach. Branding can come in many forms. Some of the most common and effective include the following:

• Graphic design
• Brochures
• Logos
• Banners

Branding in print and digital outlets can be an especially effective marketing strategy because it helps IT companies be seen on two platforms. One of the keys to branding is creating something that looks professional and is effective.

Another big part of branding for you IT company is nurturing your brand evangelism. Brand evangelism means your customers love the product or service so much that they freely advocate on your behalf. According to Nielsen’s Global Trust in Advertising report, 92% of consumers trust the recommendations from a friend or family member over anything else. Word of mouth still works! This is a powerful marketing tool that you can use. Have users fall in love with your brand and messaging, and let them do the rest. Make them feel like their involvement is crucial to your success. If you need a little boost, hire someone recognizable, an influencer, to endorse your company. People will trust their judgment and give your brand a chance.

4. Video production
Video production is one of the newest marketing strategies. Valuable information that is shared in a video can often help clients remember MSP and purchase services. A video can also lead clients to a service page on a website. The best videos are always those that are professionally done. Animated videos are particularly popular with MSPs because they’re able to put complex information into a simple and easy-to-understand format. IT companies that use animated videos see great results.

Video is a trend that isn’t going away anytime soon. It’s one of the most digestible forms of media out there, making it a useful marketing tool. I don’t know about you, but most of the time I’d rather watch a video about a product than reading about it, and when it comes to IT company marketing this is even more important. It’s important to make sure you have a coherent message and a clear call-to-action when you use videos. Let viewers know what they’re supposed to do next in order to really captivate them and generate the leads you want.

Using marketing strategies

All of these marketing strategies can be used individually; however, the best marketing campaigns are those that use a combination of strategies. Each strategy is created to perfectly complement others and add to the total marketing effect. This creates continuity and establishes MSPs as trustworthy and reliable. It also helps IT companies accurately reflect their missions and values. The importance of a multi-strategy marketing campaign should never be underestimated.

Utilizing many forms of marketing and different, unique ideas can really help your IT company stand out amongst the competition. Here are 3 additional marketing hacks you can use for your IT company marketing strategy to generate business:

1. Reward loyal customers
Step away from acquisition for a bit and focus on what you already have. Strengthen your company’s relationship with loyal clients and customers. After all, retaining customers costs less than gaining new ones. Try offering a rewards program that only current customers can take advantage of. Maybe it’s a point system, an anniversary discount, a fun game, or some other way to get them to keep returning. You can also offer a referral discount to get ahead even faster. The person referring gets a discount while the new user gets one, too. It’s a win-win for everyone.

2. Give a sense of urgency
Limited-time deals motivate people into action. Customers can feel insecure and want to jump on a deal or event if it’s going to be gone soon. Harness the power of FOMO—fear of missing out—and add a countdown timer on the discount page. A sense of urgency can kick a marketing hack into high gear.

3. Do something nice
Don’t be one of those companies that continually sends out lame emails that end up in the trash, usually unread. One marketing hack involves giving something away to your customers with no strings attached. That way, they’ll always be on the lookout for your emails just in case they can get something for free.

These marketing hacks should put you on the right track for growth. Remember, it’s all about the customer and addressing their pain points. Make the experience as delightful as possible so you can build a strong reputation while gaining and retaining clients.

Many IT companies find that the best way to create and implement a multi-dimensional marketing strategy is to outsource the job to a professional marketing company. Marketing companies with experience in web design, SEO, branding, and video production are able to get the most out of marketing campaigns. They use their knowledge, experience, and skills to successfully market MSPs. Also, they stay up to date with marketing trends and changes in the search engines that may affect online marketing. Hiring a great marketing company is the best way to ensure business is generated from a marketing campaign.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss some marketing strategies as a managed service provider, please contact us today.