Tuesday, November 5, 2013

The Importance Of Cause Marketing To Consumers

By Sebastian Troup


It used to be a simple decision for a consumer to choose which company to do business with. There were a lot fewer brands out there to pick from and customers would choose based on which company was closer to them or which one was in business the longest. But now, advances in transportation and communications have reduced the distance barrier, and consumers have learned that a lean start-up can bring a killer product to market in record time and compete head-to-head with century-old companies. The choice is not so simple anymore.

For businesses, the continued changes in the world have made it even more challenging for them to separate themselves from their competitors. The thought is very achievable however. One differentiating element that has been found effective with time is corporate social responsibility. Consumers appreciate more businesses that contribute in making a difference to the lives of others.

Hence, cause marketing - the promotion of corporate philanthropy and volunteering programs - has become a valuable means of reaching and engaging customers the world over. But why does cause marketing matter to your customers?

Believe it or not, there are people out there who view businessmen as greedy and mean people taking money off of ordinary persons without any sign of concern towards that person. Another dismal reality is that there are a few business people whose crooked ways add more damage. This kind of thinking has led several consumers to believe that businesses exist only to make money and in return, do not trust them.

As a business, one way of dispelling this kind of thinking is by actively promoting your volunteering campaigns and other humanistic activities that helps the less fortunate. When done properly, giant corporations won't appear selfish and greedy.

A significant number of your customers may not be in a position financially to give much if anything to charity, even though they would like to do so. Many of them know loved ones or friends who can directly benefit from the efforts of non-profit organizations and research funds that they would like to support somehow.

Corporate giving programs allow you to help your customers help others. When you promote the fact that your company contributes time and resources to a cause they believe in, they can view their purchase of your products or services as a means of giving back while obtaining something of value they would have paid for anyway. Their purchase allows them a chance to be part of something bigger, and it gives them a compelling reason to choose your product over a competitor's.

A good cause marketing strategy allows people to be informed about the cause that you support that they may not have known. A charity that does a very important work can be greatly helped even with just through the help of your promotional campaigns.

In so doing, you broaden the horizons of your customers, opening their eyes to opportunities to do good that they may not have come across on their own. There is a strong sense of gratitude created when the right person meets the right cause, and your company can be the catalyst for that meeting.

With this, the spotlight is shifted away from your company and unto the cause. You can get the support you needed for the cause and your customers feel happy that they have made a small contribution; it's a win-win situation for all.




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