Multichannel marketing (MCM) integrates multiple channels—social media, blogs, email, TV, mobile, and streaming services—to reach customers everywhere they are. “Omnichannel marketing” is essentially next-level MCM, creating a seamless experience across all channels.
“Omnichannel marketing” is essentially next-level MCM, creating a seamless experience across all channels. When it comes to large, segmented audiences and tailored one-on-one interactions, MCM can get exponentially granular and complex.
For example, when someone browses an e-commerce store, that action will trigger ads on social media sites or an email with a coupon. For more basic MCM efforts, however, consider broadening the message or narrowing the audience to maximize ROI.
Before creating a multichannel campaign, consider the end goal. A good goal statement describes the campaign’s purpose, direction, vision, and provides the parameters to measure the campaign's success.
There are three main aspects of a multichannel campaign that should be consistent:
Forecasting refers to understanding the role of data and trends and utilizing them to define specific goals for leads and sales from each channel. Conversions and sales are then measured and attributed to the marketing efforts that produced them.
The channels chosen will depend primarily on the target market and the goals of the campaign. If the main goal is to establish an online presence, consider focusing on digital marketing channels. If traditional channels are still effective, though, consider other traditional marketing strategies.
First, be clear on what the MCM campaign is setting out to achieve. Set goals that state the campaign’s intention, whether it’s to increase brand authority, reach new demographics, enter new markets, or something else.
Next, make sure the intent of the campaign is communicated and understood by each person involved. Each team working on the different channels should know the duration of the initiative. This way, a cohesive experience is created for the target market.
A buyer persona is an image of a company’s ideal customer based on data and research. It generally includes age, location, job, income, educational attainment, and other factors. Similarly, if the company’s product or service is for everyone, this allows for the buyer persona to be segmented based on age, location, income, etc.