The 8 “SIMPLE” questions every Brand Marketer or Product Manager needs to ask themselves about their strategy in order to build proper tactics. When it comes to digital marketing & strategy - the best flashlight is a well-formed question. Below are a few “simple questions” that cross both product and business...
In order to effectively market to your target audience, it’s vital you first learn all that you can about what they think of your product or service. Their motivations, their reservations, their concerns, etc. We’ve found that one of the best ways to do this is through focus groups. What Are...
Unfortunately far too many businesses tend to dismiss the need for market research when making business decisions. We’re not sure why this feeling not only exists, but seems more companies are willing to make sizable investments without fully understanding the opportunity or potential risks. Fundamentally, success in business is about mitigating...
When it comes to establishing a digital marketing presence, cannabis companies can’t follow the typical route of mainstream or less regulated industries. In addition to age restrictions, many of the most popular advertising channels are unavailable. Specifically we’re referring to paid search and social ads dominated by Google and Facebook. Sure,...
Before all is said and done, and you’re about to layout a roadmap for your cannabis brand, I believe there are five rules in building a brand you should know and, hopefully, follow. I’ve listed them in order of importance, as follows, and while the rules are relevant for any-size company,...
When we look at the fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) landscape, we see nothing short of incessant shelf warfare. And few weapons are as critical to victory as package design. What catches whose eye? Is the reaction positive, negative, indifferent? In the olden days, we’d wander alongside a typical shopper in...
As the cannabis industry continues to be one of the fastest consumer markets, the tactics used by niche companies and startups are becoming more main-stream, legitimized and professional. That doesn’t, however, mean that the scary tactics of old have disappeared. In fact, some have become so predominant in a constantly growing...
Once upon a time, not really that long ago, commerce was relatively simple: you made a product, people bought it and you made money. Sell more, manage costs and you could grow into a more substantial endeavor. Consumers based their purchase on product utility: did they need it and would they...
I once went to a speech given by the then-CEO of P&G, and he said something that I knew instinctively was true, and I’ve followed his advice ever since: Every brand has a story, and it’s your responsibility as the head of a company or marketing director, to tell it. Every...
Nearly three years ago we launched our first study. Colorado had a legal Adult-Use market operational for less than 6 months. Our home state of Washington had barely begun legal sales. It seems like such a long time ago now but in the short period since then much has happened. The...
At the Matters Group, our client relationships usually begin with what we call the Brand Platform process, which consists of three steps: (1) Internal Platform: in which we ensure all key decision-makers and influencers are on the same page (often more difficult than you’d think); (2) External Platform: where we seek out existing customers...
In its simplest terms, marketing is the communication bridge between your target audience and your brand. So once you’ve taken the critical first step and nailed down what you stand for as a brand, you then need to determine how you want to engage with your target market. This process of consumer engagement...
Advertising cannabis and CBD brands present their own unique set of challenges, and we blogged about this some here and here. But if you’re beginning to think about advertising your product/service, let’s talk a bit about what a brand should consider first. Or, put another way, let’s have at least thought about the factors...
Editor's Note: this article was lightly updated in May 2020. We hope Google sees the light and opens up more of its platform to legal cannabis, CBD and hemp companies. Marketers in the cannabis industry have an interesting environment in which to work. The product is in demand and audiences want to...
A content playbook is somewhat like an extended campaign brief, it sets the direction and strategy for the content campaign and it’s designed to serve as a resource for the content team members to reference back to as the campaign is executed. Simply put, the content playbook asks these three questions:...
Successful series of studies on the Cannabis Consumer results in pioneering strategic partnership to deliver Fortune-500-caliber market insights. SEATTLE, WA March 20, 2018 – Seattle-based Matters Group and Cascade Strategies, Inc., have formalized a partnership to deliver advanced data science, sophisticated analytics and market research services to the emerging cannabis industry....
Many small businesses in the cannabis industry tend to think that market research is a costly exercise that can provide knowledge and insight –both of which are pleasant in the abstract– but doesn’t provide tangible results like more sales and profits. Admittedly, there are some market research projects that don’t...
Washington's rules for recreational cannabis stores get pretty specific about most things, including signage. With all-things-cannabis regulated to death, let's take a look at understanding the restrictions and how best to market your products under close watch from the state. It’s Not The Size, It’s How You Use It The state...
Our client relationships usually begin with what we call the Brand Platform process, which consists of three steps: (1) Internal Platform: in which we ensure all key decision-makers and influencers are on the same page (often more difficult than you’d think); (2) External Platform: where we seek out existing customers and potential prospects...
I was once VP Marketing for a retail chain in the bath and beauty category. We started in Seattle and grew to over 300 stores nationally, with comp sales increasing as much as 60% over the previous year. We had a successful public offering and the sales growth continued. I truly...