07 Feb Five ways to use marketing to promote your Canadian-made products
“Buy Canadian!” is a rallying cry across our national economic landscape. It’s an emerging trend spurred on by the Canada-U.S. political struggle over tariffs and other aggressive trade actions. What are five ways that businesses can use this trend to their advantage in their marketing and advertising?
Openly identify your business as Canadian
From solo and small businesses to large enterprises, if your venture is genuinely Canadian or sells Canadian-made products or services, make sure you’re saying so clearly in your marketing. For example, in social media and on your site use Canadian symbols as often as appropriate. Intuitively, consumers supporting your business will also feel that they’re actively supporting national pride—one purchase at a time. Just be aware there are legal implications to making these claims.
Boost your brand power with the strength of Canadian symbolism
Promote the awareness among your customers that you’re Canadian. The strength behind this current trend will help boost your brand while keeping it current and relevant. So, ride that trendy coat tail! Associating Canadian symbolism with your brand identity is a complementary way to cultivate strength, loyalty, and confidence in your business.
Remind your customers that they have an impact
In your marketing messages, explore gentle ways to remind your customer base that by choosing Canadian-made products and supporting local services they are making a meaningful impact on our whole national response in the face of economic adversity. Our leaders are emphasizing the importance of unity, so it’s a good message to pass on.
Use your local stories to highlight your shop-local/shop-Canadian connection
In your marketing use your SEO and messaging to engage your customers by promoting the local side of your products and services. Even if your business has markets right across Canada, somewhere you are still considered a “local” business to some consumers. Show your community flair in your stories and watch your sales grow.
Don’t forget those hashtags!
Studies have shown that consumers prefer products made closer to home, associating them with better quality and safety standards. Your social media efforts will benefit by making sure you are using trending hashtags in your posts. Here’s a few to get you started:
