In the ever-evolving realm of marketing, brands need to constantly come up with unique ways to reach their target audience, stand out from the crowd and stay relevant. In this regard, two commonly used marketing strategies are push marketing and pull marketing. Although both push marketing and pull marketing strategies have their own unique ways to fulfil their goals, but, combining the two can make an invincible duo. Let’s break both Push marketing and Pull marketing down individually and know which one to use and when?
Push Marketing
As the name suggests, push marketing is basically pushing your way in. Imagine you are a marketing agent at a company, attending a crowded party. Now being a sales person, obviously you would want to take up the perks of a crowd. So what will you? Approach people and find ways to talk about your company, right? That’s how a push marketing works. It’s all about actively pushing your product or service onto customers to grab their attention and drive immediate action. The goal is to get in front of people even when they are clearly not interested.
Let’s consider some real life examples. Do you remember those times when you were browsing through Myntra or any other shopping sites, added some items in your wishlist and moved on to social media? Did you notice suddenly all the ads are showing the pieces you added to your cart? That’s push marketing right there. Do you receive those flirty, witty emails and notifications from Zomato and Swiggy that somehow manages to woo you every time? All those flyers, pamphlets handed to you by a random stranger while you are out strolling are all examples of push marketing.
Pull Marketing
Pull Marketing is luring customers in. It is just the opposite of a hard sell. Instead of pushing your product at people, you try to draw them in. The idea is to create such compelling content, value and brand presence that people actively seek you out. You are luring customers with irrestible offers,rather than forcing them to pay attention.
For instance, imagine you are an avid coffee lover. You have heard of a place from your friend that this café in your city sells the best coffee ever! You receive pictures of their beautifully frothed cappuccinos and make plans to visit. Now of course your friend was not promoting the café but was recommending it to you. This is what pull marketing is about. People are pulled in by the brand’s strong presence and reputation and the buzz around their quality, which ultimately convinces people to check them out.
One real life example is Guwahati Taxi. The site regularly post informative blogs and creates content on social media on various destination, cultures and lifestyles of people in and around Northeast region. As people read those blogs, watch their videos and engage, they start to feel more drawn to their services and before they know it, they are booking their next trip on Guwahati Taxi.
Push Marketing and Pull Marketing: Which Is Better?
It’s easy to think that among push marketing and pull marketing one strategy is better than the other, but the truth is, it largely depends on your goals.
Push marketing is great when you need to create immediate awareness or drive quick sales. It’s ideal for new businesses or products that people may not have heard of yet. You’re actively reaching out and saying, “Hey, look at me!” Think of it as putting your product in front of people, whether they’re ready for it or not.
On the other hand, pull marketing is more effective for building long-term relationships. It’s about attracting people who already have an interest in what you’re offering, creating loyalty, and nurturing that connection over time. It’s the art of saying, “Hey, you’re already looking for something like this, and here I am, ready to help!” However, let a secret be told, both push marketing and pull marketing can be used together.
Combining Push Marketing and Pull Marketing: The Best of Both Worlds
While each strategy has its strengths, using both push and pull marketing together can be a winning combination. Think of them like a dynamic duo—each playing their role at different points in the customer journey.
Push marketing can help you reach new customers, create awareness, and stimulate demand. Meanwhile, pull marketing nurtures that interest, keeps people engaged, and encourages repeat business. One gets the foot in the door, and the other ensures they stick around.
Push Marketing and Pull Marketing in Action: You and Your Business
Ultimately, the key to effective marketing is knowing when to use which strategy—and when to use both. If you’re a new brand, push marketing can be a quick way to get noticed. If you’re an established brand, pull marketing helps keep customers coming back for more.
Both push marketing and pull marketing have their place in a well-rounded marketing strategy, and together they can create a cycle that builds brand awareness, attracts new customers, and keeps them loyal for the long haul. Now, the only question is: How will you use push and pull marketing to elevate your brand?
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