How Can I Improve Our Marketing

Marketing a Paper Mill

At Gaebler, we've seen what great marketing can do for a small business. But if you own a paper mill, exceptional marketing may well be the determining factor in your long-term survival and success.

The task of promoting a paper mill can be challenging, especially for business owners who lack a marketing background.

Purpose in marketing is the key to success in this space. High-performing paper mills achieve market dominance through the careful execution of deliberate strategies. The inclusion of innovative tactics and techniques is important, but the consistent application of sound marketing principles may be the most important factor in raising your brand's visibility with buyers.

Why Branding Matters

Branding isn't just a marketing buzzword. It's a core concept for businesses trying to entrench themselves in consumer consciousness. Any and every paper mill possesses brand value. Smart marketing strategies differentiate and reinforce brand identity. Companies that incorporate brand positioning into their normal marketing routines gradually accumulate higher brand values and are rewarded by consumers.

Loss Leaders

The majority of paper mills understand that more customers will walk through the door if a few products are priced at less than full retail value. Moreover, a loss leader marketing strategy can compensate for dead periods when customers tend to making purchases. A classic mistake of loss leader marketing is to create pricing without researching the competition. In a worse case scenario, you could be counting on pricing that is higher than your competitors. For the majority of paper mills, the real benefits of loss leaders emerge through the careful marketing of other products, usually offered at a much higher margin. Whenever possible, piggyback a loss leader approach with the purchase of bulk merchandise that can be bought at a discount.

Measurement & Evaluation

By purchasing high quality mailing lists from reliable providers, paper mills may be able to increase the impact of their marketing tactics. However, there are no substitutes for measurement and evaluation mechanisms. A robust measurement and evaluation process should include metrics that can be monitored on a monthly, weekly or even daily basis. Designed to monitor marketing efforts on a campaign-by-campaign basis, these metrics can be used as a baseline for strategic planning. Simple quantitative tools are a good start. However, paper mills frequently go outside of the organization for expertise.

Share this article


Additional Resources for Entrepreneurs

Lists of Venture Capital and Private Equity Firms

Franchise Opportunities

Contributors

Business Glossary