MSP Marketing Plan: What You Need to Know?
Having a well thought-out MSP marketing plan is necessary when handling a managed service provider.
To build and carry out a successful strategy, MSPs should have a clear idea on the kind of customers they are looking to serve. Moreover, they need to be aware of the specific skills they are great at as well as the kind of branding they want to communicate to the industry.
Here are some insights on how to do your MSP marketing plan.
1. Identify the things that make you unique
Enterprises use managed service providers for various reasons. Some of them are looking to outsource email or help desk duties while others need cloud and cybersecurity management.
With the different areas that MSPs tackle, it would make sense to specialize in knowledge and skills that will allow them to compete and win.
MSPs need to understand the type of clients they cater to and the clients they struggle with the most – from a client satisfaction perspective.
Describe your customer base in your MSP marketing plan and focus your services and product development efforts on clients you are going after.
You are not a one-size-fits-all solution. Learn to decline clients with needs that don’t match your offering. Welcoming them into your company unprepared might hurt you in the long run.
2. Establish your brand
After knowing your customers better, it is ideal to implement a robust company branding.
MSPs need to have a brand identity that will attract customers. Make sure that it encapsulates excellent service experience, competent staff, and up-to-date technology.
Build your brand around what your organization believes in and what you can bring to the customer’s table. Take the time to inquire with your customers and colleagues. Ask them why they choose to do business with you and how your service compares to other companies.
Having a branding detailed in your MSP marketing plan can help you build a strategy that is poised for success.
3. Get started with digital marketing
After MSPs find out what their branding is, they should put into action their MSP marketing plan. This must be able to reach their target audience through technology platforms. Set up a marketing budget and assign someone who will run the marketing efforts.
MSPs should make use of different digital marketing tools, such as social and web properties to share their company’s story. They may also consider building a website that reflects their brand’s mission and vision with a strong search engine optimization (SEO) in place.
Moreover, review sales process to guarantee that the digital marketing is in line with customer relationship management. There should also be rules of engagement so sales representatives can follow up on customers that want to sign up or nurture prospects that are not yet ready to convert.
After these, you can set up an automated marketing technology solution that will help you boost your efforts.
4. Create awareness and demand
As part of the MSP marketing plan, managed providers need to look for platforms where they can share their value. It would be best to use various digital platforms in which customers would likely receive the message. This way, they are able to respond proactively.
Some of the core categories that can be included in your MSP marketing plan are awareness and demand.
Awareness
To gain leads successfully, MSPs must target potential clients that already knows about their company and offerings. You can also publish press releases, social media posts, white papers, videos, webinars, etc. to improve brand visibility of your MSP,
Demand
Once awareness is established, MSPs must move forward and create a strategy that will prompt people to support you. You may consider doing the following:
- Email marketing
- Direct mail marketing
- White paper and case studies
- Website visitor tracking
- SEO and content marketing
5. Get assistance with your MSP marketing activities
MSPs can collaborate with vendors and distributors in their sales and marketing efforts. They must determine, however, the most effective manner to engage with distribution or vendor programs. MSPs must get to know what type of training, events, and programs do distributors or vendors have.
Before asking for assistance, MSPs should have a marketing plan that details their sales goals and marketing techniques. The strategy should include marketing activities and a summary of the areas in which they require assistance from their distribution or vendor partners.
Final Thoughts
By creating and implementing an MSP marketing plan, you’ll be able to generate consistent leads and better revenue.
If you want to improve customer experience as part of your business strategy, you can trust ITarian. We provide comprehensive tools to help you cut costs and enhance service quality.