But we have to remember that without the ancillary cannabis businesses, the industry could never sustain itself in the long run. And there are even more of them than their more obvious dispensary and provisioning center cousins and kin.

As such, these business-to-business brands face fierce competition when it comes to getting noticed. So what’s a B2B brand to do?

We’ve got four pretty solid B2B cannabis marketing strategies.

1. Embrace Public Relations

When you’re looking to drive credibility and awareness on a large scale, public relations is the most effective way to go. You may not be aware of it, but there are dozens of cannabis-specific media outlets.

Plus, nearly ever cannabis-legal state has advocacy and professional associations, as well as regular trade shows that draw tens of thousands of industry insiders.

If you don’t have the time to sniff out and research these opportunities, you can’t go wrong bringing in a cannabis public relations specialist. He or she has already done the footwork, made the connections, and knows which paths will best serve your company’s needs resources, budget, and goals.

2. Take Advantage of Content Marketing

Misinformation abounds on the internet.

This is especially true when it comes to cannabis. The myths and stories surrounding marijuana rival those involving conspiracy theories about little green men.

As such, you have the perfect opportunity to rectify this and position yourself as an expert in your field. How? With content marketing.

If you don’t have a blog on your website, get one. And if you do have one, then use it! Connecting with your audience by regularly contributing educational/informative articles and compelling storytelling will not only establish you as an industry leader, but will build trust and boost your website’s SEO (search engine optimization) to boot.

You can also write and publish whitepapers and case studies to highlight your company’s expertise and successes your clients have experienced. Video will also draw significant traffic since they’re an entertaining way to simplify complex issues.

3. Use Social Media… Mindfully

With all of the rules and regulations surrounding cannabis, it’s easy to shy away from marketing yourself on social media. But that’s a huge mistake. More than 70% of Americans use it as a means to make connections, get their news, or tune into entertainment.

Multiple cannabusinesses have found ways around the rules and regulations associated with what continues to be (stupidly) considered a Schedule I drug in Uncle Sam’s eyes. It’s really just a matter of being very mindful and conscious about what they choose to post while staying within the legal confines.

If this still makes you nervous, that’s understandable. That’s what makes it so worthwhile to seek out the services of an experienced cannabis marketing team. They understand the rules of social media and how to creatively work with them to help your company thrive.

4. Be a Presence at Cannabis Events

This one is a no-brainer.

Yet, how often do you make it a priority to attend cannabis events? They’re easily one of the best ways to connect with others in the industry while gaining critical intel and education. If the national conferences seem like too much to tackle, then seek out local events that serve up a more intimate and focused experience.

And if you have something to share, then consider setting up a booth or even going as a presenter rather than merely an attendee. In terms of networking and meeting potential customers face-to-face, this is gold. Still, showing up as an attendee is better than not showing up at all.

Make Your B2B Cannabis Marketing Strategies a Priority

As an ancillary company with less visibility, it’s doubly important you put the most effective B2B cannabis marketing strategies into play. And you want to do them well for the best results.

Otherwise, you could end up damaging your brand.

So don’t hesitate to turn to cannabis public relations and marketing specialists to navigate this sometimes tricky terrain. Contact us today to see how we can help put your cannabis business in the spotlight.

The post The Four Best B2B Cannabis Marketing Strategies appeared first on GROW Cannabis Marketing.

If so, it’s not surprising.

There are some pretty stringent rules about where and how you can advertise cannabis. And this includes legal CBD products.

Plus, the penalties you face if you break these rules can haunt you for a long time. So what are you supposed to do?

Marketing for a Cannabis Business Is Challenging

So you’re just going to have to get creative.

But if you’re in the business of selling cannabis products, this won’t be a problem. You already possess the creative pioneering spirit that got you here in the first place.

So we’re going to offer up some surefire methods that will help you make a bigger name for yourself.

1. Buy a Billboard

If you live in a state where at least medical marijuana is legal, you’ve more than likely seen billboards advertising provisioning centers.

It makes sense. Billboards are big and bold.

In addition to static billboards, there are also digital billboards and other screen-based advertisements (known collectively as digital out-of-home (OOH) marketing) that serve as highly visible placements for cannabis brands.

Marketing agencies and media companies can get you started on this. It’s about, as the old adage says, “location, location, location.”

But it also needs to be fueled by the power of good creative too. So be sure you understand the limitations on what you can and cannot show. A company specific to cannabis marketing can guide you.

2. Invest in Solid Public Relations

It’s not uncommon for those new to marketing for a cannabis business to have to choose between advertising and public relations. Cash can be tight at first.

If you’re faced with that choice, remember that media coverage is worth its weight in gold. In other words, go with public relations.

Having an article about your company on an industry or news site is going to build some serious credibility. It’s also going to gain you search engine optimization.

Just be sure to hire a firm that focuses on cannabis. They know how to work around the unique restrictions of the industry.

3. Embrace the Power of the Blog

Speaking of search engine optimization…

If you don’t have a blog, get one. And if you do have a blog but aren’t taking advantage of it, it’s time you did.

Your blog is like an extension of you. It adds a personal touch to your marijuana business. Whether you write it or hire professional bloggers, having a well-crafted blog is a way to share your passion and prove your knowledge of the product.

Plus, search engines key in on your words. So offer thought-leader articles with a lot of practical advice. You can even augment your posts with video.

All it takes is a good phone to create a five-second commercial you can save as a .gif or mp4 and then post onto your blog.

4. Sponsor Someone or Something

If you have a little more capital to play with, sponsoring is a wonderful way to not only help empower the industry, but to get your name out there as well.

Keep an eye out for cannabis trade shows and conferences. Cannabis World Congress and Business Expo (CWCBE) is one of the bigger ones. Or reach out to a local team who embraces cannabis and would be open to having your logo on their uniforms.

There are even sports stars, musicians and other celebrities who are willing to put your message out there in exchange for sponsorship. For example, MMA fighter Liz Carmouche is sponsored by HempMeds.

5. Let Your Swag Advertise

Falling in line with having your logo on a local sports team, what about getting some quality t-shirts printed with your logo?

You can hand these out at trade shows, conferences, or even at your place of business. Then when people wear them out in public, they’re like human billboards advertising your business.

6. Seek out Weed-Friendly Networks

Is there such a thing?

With Facebook and Google banning cannabis ads, and CBS putting the kibosh on any marijuana ads during the Super Bowl, it can feel like networks discriminate against marijuana.

And that’s because they kinda do.

Because until federal prohibition is lifted, some companies are steering away from what they fear could create problems for them.

Fortunately, there are a few advertising networks that actually want your cannabis company display ads. Sure, you won’t reach the mainstream audience. Not yet, at least.

But these cannabis-friendly ad networks allow you to target your campaign to the audience you specify. You can even do this by state, region, and/or zip code.

So it’s a start.

Ready to Make a Name for Yourself?

There’s no arguing that marketing for a cannabis business is a unique challenge.

Especially while things are in flux.

So if you’re looking for expert marketing and stellar public relations related purely to cannabis, then contact us today.

We’re fellow pioneers in the industry. So let’s travel this path together.

The post Cannabis Marketing Tactics You Should Be Using appeared first on GROW Cannabis Marketing.