Cigar marketing in 2023 is an exciting frontier with incredible untapped potential, but if you’re looking to do some cigar marketing online you know you aren’t the only player in the game. That means that you need to take your promotion to the next level!
There are some cigar marketing differences that you won’t find in other industries online, so identifying these and taking the correct approach is paramount. Luckily, we’ve been getting our hands dirty in the cigar marketing game for some time now.
Let’s take a hard look at some of the key cigar marketing differences in 2023.
Traditional Digital Marketing Strategies
Cigar marketing shares some important characteristics with traditional digital marketing strategies, but there are some key differences. Although, before we dive into those it’s worth examining some of the most effective paths for promoting your business in the digital space, regardless of industry.
Here are 3 of the most vital points to touch on as you market your business online:
- Search engine optimization (SEO): SEO is the process of optimizing your website and its content to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs) for targeted keywords. This is important because a higher ranking in search results can lead to more organic traffic to your website, which can ultimately lead to more leads and sales.
- Social media marketing: Social media marketing involves using social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to promote your business and connect with your customers. By regularly posting engaging content and interacting with your followers, you can build brand awareness, drive traffic to your website, and generate leads.
- Content marketing: Content marketing involves creating and distributing valuable, relevant, and consistent content to attract and retain a clearly defined audience, and ultimately, to drive profitable customer action. This can be in the form of blog posts, articles, videos, infographics, or other media types. The goal of content marketing is to attract and retain customers by providing valuable and informative content that addresses their needs and interests, ultimately driving profitable customer action.
These are just a few of the many digital marketing strategies that businesses can use. The most important thing is to find the methods that work best for your business and to implement and refine them over time consistently.
Cigar Marketing Regulations Regarding Tobacco
There are several cigar marketing differences that apply to the promotion of tobacco products online. These regulations are subject to changing laws and other federal and state policies. As such, they can be complex, so it is important to be familiar with the specific regulations that apply to your business.
In the United States, the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) and the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (Tobacco Control Act) regulate the marketing of tobacco products, including their sale and distribution. These laws impose certain restrictions on the advertising and promotion of tobacco products, including online.
For example, the Tobacco Control Act restricts the marketing of tobacco products, including the use of certain marketing practices that are particularly appealing to youth, such as the use of certain flavors.
There are several other federal laws that may apply to the marketing of tobacco products online. For example, the Federal Trade Commission Act (FTC Act) prohibits deceptive or misleading advertising, including the marketing of tobacco products. The FTC Act also requires that advertising for tobacco products be truthful and adequately supported by scientific evidence.
The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) also applies to the online marketing of tobacco products. COPPA requires websites and online services that are directed at children under the age of 13, or that have actual knowledge that they are collecting personal information from children under the age of 13, to obtain verifiable parental consent before collecting personal information from children.
It is important to note that these are just a few of the federal laws that may apply to the marketing of tobacco products online. There may be other federal laws and regulations that apply, as well as state and local laws.
For this reason, it’s important to approach digital marketing with the help of experts in the field of cigar marketing in 2023.
How to Market Cigars in 2023
Overall, the key to successful cigar marketing in 2023 is to understand your target market and develop a targeted marketing strategy that effectively reaches and appeals to them. This means gaining an understanding of what people look for in cigar companies online.
Because cigar smokers are invested in their habits and lifestyle (for good reason, we are too!) it is a must for your business to put out content that not only checks off Search Engine Optimization boxes but also appeals to your consumers.
It is difficult to say what the most popular form of content consumed by cigar users is, as it may vary depending on the specific interests and preferences of the individual cigar users. Some cigar users may be interested in educational content, such as articles about the history of cigars or the different types of tobacco used in cigar production. Others may be more interested in entertainment or lifestyle content, such as articles about cigar-friendly events or pairing cigars with different types of drinks.
It is also important to consider the platform on which the content is being consumed. For example, some cigar users may prefer to read long-form articles or watch videos, while others may prefer shorter, more visually-oriented content on platforms like Instagram.
Likewise, your website should appeal to cigar aficionados. Make sure you have a professional-looking website that provides information about your products or services, contact information, and other relevant details. You should also consider setting up social media accounts and utilizing online directories and review sites to make it easier for customers to find and learn about your business.
Informational websites do as they sound – they give you information. They don’t sell anything. Their entire purpose is to educate and inform your customers before they come into your shop.
If your top priority is getting more people in your brick-and-mortar shop, then an informational website is all you need. If you also want to sell cigars, humidors, and accessories through your website then you’ll want an eCommerce website.
And fear not, if you’re not sure if you want to do eCommerce yet, start with an informational website and you can always add eCommerce capabilities later.
Cigarketing is Here to Help You Market Your Cigar Marketing
Cigarketing is the marketing agency a cigar shop and eCommerce site can rely on to get more people in their shop, buy from their website, and take off their plate the burdens of social media, website curation, and more. The cigar industry deserves an agency tailored for cigar business owners, fueled by a team that loves both marketing and cigars.
You didn’t open your cigar shop or launch your cigar brand so you could worry about Google maps, search engines, event promotion, or web design. You created your business to serve your customers who love cigars. Cigarketing exists to ensure your shop stays full, the cigars move off your shelves (digital or physical), and you dominate your local market.
We’re ready to make you the best cigar shop in your city and on the web. Are you?
See what Cigarketing can do for you!