Let me guess, you’d rather be on your board than thinking up marketing schemes. Want the secret to getting back outside?
A solid digital marketing pipeline.
With marketing in place, you can rest easy that customers are going to find your store, find their gear, and keep coming back for more–freeing up the time for you to live the lifestyle you wanted in the first place!
Here’s five reasons you should include digital marketing in your business plan:
1. An Easy to Use Ecommerce Website = Improved Sales
Imagine the wind in your hair and the smooth roll of wheels on pavement or the rush of catching a perfect wave. Now, think of bringing that sense of freedom and excitement to your online store. An easy-to-navigate ecommerce website invites your customers into the world of boarding, whether it’s skateboarding down city streets or surfing along coastal waves. High-quality images, engaging product descriptions that speak to the thrill of the sport, and an effortless checkout process make purchasing the latest gear and boards as exhilarating as landing a new trick.
2. Local Search Engine Optimization Puts You Closer to the Top from Google Searches in Your Area
Local SEO is like finding that hidden skatepark or secret surf spot that only locals know about. When your store is optimized for local searches, it becomes the go-to spot for enthusiasts in your area looking for their next board or gear. By incorporating location-specific keywords, such as “skateboard shop in [City Name]” or “snowboards in [City],” into your website’s content, you can glide to the top of search engine results. This visibility is crucial for drawing in customers who are spending their mornings catching waves or afternoons grinding rails.
3. Digital Ads Increase Customers at Your Brick and Mortar Store
Digital advertising is a flare shot into the sky, signaling your location to those who live for the thrill of boarding. By targeting ads to users based on their interests, such as skateboarding, surfing, and outdoor sports, you capture the attention of potential customers exactly where they spend a lot of their downtime—online. These targeted ads can highlight local events, in-store promotions, or new arrivals, drawing enthusiasts from the digital world into your physical store, where the culture and community of boarding come to life.
4. Customized Messaging Through StoryBrand Tells Your Story, Setting You Apart from the Competition
Your board store is more than just a business; it’s a beacon for the boarding community, a place where stories are shared and friendships are formed. StoryBrand messaging helps you weave these tales into the fabric of your brand, connecting with your audience on a personal level. When you show that you know exactly what your customers need, that you understand them and can help connect them to the gear, lifestyle, and community that they want, you’re going to create devoted customers who stick with you for life. (And tell all their friends!)
5. Email Marketing Increases Brand Awareness, Engages Customers, and Has a Great Return on Investment
Email marketing is a steady push keeping you moving forward on a long skate. It’s a powerful tool to keep your customers engaged, informed, and ready to dive back into the action. Craft emails that resonate with the boarding lifestyle—share tips on maintaining gear, stories of local heroes, or previews of upcoming product lines inspired by the latest boarding trends. Offer exclusive deals and early access to sales for your email subscribers to make them feel like part of an elite crew. This ongoing engagement not only boosts brand awareness but also fosters a sense of community and loyalty. Plus, with email marketing’s impressive ROI, you’re investing in a strategy that pays dividends, allowing you more freedom to chase the next big swell or find that new skate spot.
Digital marketing isn’t just about selling boards; it’s about fostering a culture that celebrates freedom, adventure, and camaraderie.
Remember, the goal is to give you more time to pursue your passions outside, knowing your digital presence is effectively drawing in the enthusiasts who share your love for the board. Check out this helpful, relevant, and brief (just 33 minutes) BRA / Moxie Tonic collaboarative webinar about Digital Marketing
Don’t worry–you don’t have to be an expert at marketing to get incredible results. Here at Moxie Tonic, we work with shops just like yours to make a customized marketing plan and implement it for you so you can get back outside. For B.R.A. Retail Members, we’re now offering a free marketing assessment. Using our 20-point inspection, we’ll take a look at your website, socials, and any other marketing collateral to give you tailored recommendations for expanding your digital reach.
Book your free marketing assessment with Moxie Tonic today.
BRA note: We are very pleased to mention that Moxie Tonic is an outstanding BRA Supporting Vendor Partner that provides the above referenced free marketing assessment opportunity for all BRA Retail Members.
Here is the link to the super helpful and relevant BRA Moxie Tonic Resource Guide for your benefit: BRA & Moxie Webinar (moxietonic.com)
Be sure to email me at doug@boardretailers.org to let me know if you would like me to introduce you directly to Natalie and the incredible team at Moxie Tonic and to schedule your free marketing assessment (see additional details below).
– Doug Works, BRA Executive Director
This means that all BRA Retail Members can benefit from one free marketing assessment in one of five assessment types per calendar year including:
- Google Ad Performance
- Local Search & GBP
- Website Performance
- Social Media Presence
- Brand Presentation
Each assessment comes with a 30-minute call with a Moxie Tonic marketing expert, 5 DIY actions, and more!
If you have any specific questions related to this tremendous resource and would like to be introduced to the awesome people behind Moxie Tonic, email me at doug@boardretailers.org
Doug Works, BRA Executive Director
If you are not yet a BRA Retail Member, you can easily opt in to either Regular (no cost) or Distinguished ($100/yr.) Membership via this super simple join form