Manufacturing and product development spending in the United States totaled $2.23 trillion in 2021 and is expected to grow to $2.47 trillion by 2020, according to a report from the Manufacturers Alliance/MAPI. This accounts for nearly 13% of the U.S. GDP. Regarding product development spending as a percentage of revenue, the pharmaceuticals and medical products sector spends the most, averaging 15%. Aerospace and defense come in second, averaging 11%.
Businesses are making significant investments in developing new products. Studies show that launching a new product is critical to a company’s long-term success. Research from the Boston Consulting Group shows that 70% of companies that launched a successful new product achieved above-average profitability for at least three years.
As a result, businesses must invest in strategies to create buzz around their new product launches. Here are a few tips.
Start with Social Media
Social media is a powerful platform for creating buzz. A study from the University of Massachusetts found that social media can generate up to twice the marketing reach of paid advertising.
To take advantage of this:
- Start by creating a social media plan.
- Decide which platforms you will use and what content you will share.
- Include content that educates your audience about your new product and offers incentives to buy, such as discounts and contests.
In addition to sharing great content, be sure to engage with your audience. Respond to comments and questions promptly. This will help create a connection with your customers and make them more likely to become advocates for your brand.
You must also know which social media platforms work best for your industry. For example, LinkedIn is great for B2B companies, while Instagram is better for businesses with a visual product.
Get Influencers Involved
Influencer marketing is one of the most effective ways to create buzz around your new product launch. A study from Tomoson found that influencer marketing is the fastest-growing online customer acquisition channel.
Influencer marketing works so well because it uses the power of social proof and word-of-mouth marketing. When an influencer promotes your product, their followers are more likely to take notice and buy your product.
Identify industry leaders who align with your brand to get started with influencer marketing. Once you’ve identified a few potential influencers, reach out and pitch them your product. If they’re interested, work with them to create content that will promote your product launch.
You can also use micro-influencers, influencers with a smaller but more engaged following. Micro-influencers typically have between 1,000 and 100,000 followers. They tend to be more authentic and have more influence over their followers than more prominent influencers.
Generate Publicity with Press Releases
Another great way to create buzz around your new product launch is to generate publicity with press releases. A well-written press release can help you secure media coverage, reach many people, and generate excitement for your new product.
To write an effective press release, start by crafting a catchy headline that will grab attention. Then, please provide a brief overview of your new product and its key features. Be sure to include quotes from company leaders and experts in your industry.
Finally, be sure to distribute your press release to the right outlets. You can use a service like PR Newswire or Cision to reach a wide range of media outlets.
However, all those steps can be challenging to pursue, especially when the marketing team will have to be responsible for many other tasks related to the product launch. Fortunately, experienced public relations agencies can help with the entire process, from creating content to distributing press releases.
Start a Product Launch Event
Product launch events are a great way to create excitement and generate buzz for your new product. You can unveil your new product to the public, press, and other VIPs at a product launch event.
You can also use your product launch event to build relationships with customers and partners. This is an excellent opportunity to network and forge new connections that can help you in the future.
Finally, don’t forget to promote your product launch event. Create a landing page on your website and promote it on social media. You can also use paid advertising to reach a wider audience.
Launch Your New Product with a Bang
Creating a buzz around your new product launch is essential to your success. Using social media, influencer marketing, and press releases, you can reach a broad audience and generate excitement for your new product. However, all those steps can be challenging to pursue. Fortunately, some agencies can help with the entire process, from creating content to distributing press releases. So don’t go it alone – get some help and ensure your product launch is a success!