Member Blog: Effective Ways to Build a Buzz Around Your Cannabis Business

The cannabis industry is more than just sprouting; it’s flourishing at an incredible pace.

According to the U.S. Cannabis Report: 2020-2021 Industry Outlook, annual legal sales (covering both medical and adult use) are projected to increase at a CAGR of 21%. By the year 2025, the market is expected to be worth a staggering $50 billion, up from $13.2 billion in 2019. 

As a matter of fact, these numbers are not just statistics on a page; they present a golden opportunity for entrepreneurs in the cannabis sector. 

But let’s be clear: tapping into this booming market is no walk in the park. The competition now is fierce (more than ever). That’s why, as a cannabis business owner, you need to focus on marketing or, more specifically, buzz-building. 

Now the question is: How can you ignite interest and keep the conversation going around your cannabis business? Continue reading this article to get the answer! 

Optimize Your Website and SEO

Your website is like your online storefront; it’s often the first place people go to learn about your business. When you have a well-designed and easy-to-navigate website, it can turn curious visitors into loyal customers. 

But what’s the use of a great website if no one can find it? That’s where SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, comes in. When your target audience looks for products or services related to yours, SEO will help your website show up in search engine results. 

Two Simple SEO Strategies to Implement:

• Keyword Research: Find out what words or phrases people use to search for cannabis products like yours. Once you’ve identified these keywords, include them naturally in your website’s content, titles, and meta descriptions.
• Local SEO: If you have a physical store or primarily serve a specific area, make sure to include location-based keywords. For example, if you’re based in Denver, use phrases like “Denver cannabis store” or “best cannabis in Denver” in your website content and meta tags.

These strategies will give you a kick-start by improving your website’s visibility and attracting more customers.

Play with Coupon and Promo Codes

Everyone loves a good deal, and your target customers are no different. Offering discounts, coupons, and promo codes is a quick and simple way to get them talking about your business. It ideally has two benefits: 

• It makes your products more appealing.
• It encourages first-time buyers to give your brand a shot.

To make this strategy even more effective, you can consider submitting your coupon to websites like 420CouponCodes.com and tap into their existing audience. It gives a direct channel to potential customers (who are already interested in products like yours) to connect with your brand. It’s like fishing where the fish are already biting! 

Moreover, once your customers start using these codes, they will likely share them with friends and family, naturally building buzz around your business. 

Leverage Customer Reviews

There’s no denying that in the cannabis industry, word-of-mouth can make or break any business. So, you must encourage your customers to leave reviews about your products and their experience with your brand. If there’s an issue you’re unaware of, a customer review can bring it to your attention so you can fix it. 

But that’s not all. Most people check online reviews before making a buying decision; they want to know what others think before they take the plunge. Platforms like 420 Friendly™ are emerging as valuable resources for this purpose. It allows users to leave comments, rankings, ratings, and recommendations about various businesses in the cannabis sector. 

By encouraging such reviews, you show your customers you care about their feedback. This, in turn, builds trust among them and boosts the brand’s goodwill. 

Develop a Strong Brand Identity

Brand identity is like the face and personality of your business; it’s what customers see and feel when they interact with you. But do you know that it goes beyond just having a catchy name and a cool logo? It should represent the value you hold, the quality of your products, and the kind of experience you want your customers to have. Let’s take an example to understand this better. 

Suppose your cannabis business specializes in organic, locally sourced products. In that case, your branding could include earthy colors and natural images to convey a sense of wellness and sustainability. A catchy slogan like “Grown Local, Felt Global” could further emphasize your business’s focus on quality and community. 

This way, when people come across your product, they instantly know what you stand for and why they should choose you over competitors.

Tip: Conduct a brand audit before you even start the branding process. It will help you answer key questions like:

• What are the strengths and weaknesses of your current branding?
• What do your potential customers value most in a cannabis brand?
• What do your competitors do well, and where do they fall short?

Don’t Neglect Geotargetting

Finally, if you’re keen on making a splash in the cannabis industry, you can’t afford to overlook geotargeting. This simply means focusing your marketing efforts on a specific local area or community. But why does it matter? 

Well, laws and regulations for cannabis differ from place to place. What works in one location might not be applicable in another. Plus, local customers love supporting businesses in their community. 

There’s another reason you should focus on geotargeting. According to a study conducted by Localiq, approximately 40% of baby boomers go to a dispensary because it’s near their home or work. So, if you focus on geotargeting, you attract the locals and increase your sales. 

Moreover, it’ll allow you to tailor your promotions, advertisements, and even your products to better suit the needs and tastes of the local crowd. And that’s definitely the wise step to becoming the go-to spot for the community.

Summing It All Up

These are a few ways in which you can build a buzz for your cannabis business. But it’s worth stating that it’s an ongoing process. So, you must create the right mix of branding, social media engagement, influencer collaborations, community outreach, and a robust online presence. This way, you can stand out from the crowd and make your brand a household name.