Every survivalist has to start somewhere. For some, it may be when they’re kids because their parents introduced them to the joys of working with your hands and the power of being able to live off the grid. For others, the call comes later. You can absolutely turn your passion for off-grid living and learning survivalist skills into a thriving business. You can sell products, offer courses, and even create bunkers or cabins. There are so many different elements to the survivalist method that you can tap into for your own business.
The challenge with starting any business, of course, is getting the word out there. Even if you’re an active member of the community, it can still be hard to get people to notice your business, much less actively use your business. That changes today. With this guide, you’ll get a leg up on your marketing efforts once and for all.
Start with the People You Know
The best way to start any business is by firstly working with friends and family. This is how you’ll get great reviews to start with, and also useful feedback that you can then use to help you improve your business before you officially start bringing in cold customers — in other words, the general public.
Branding 101
Branding is how you can visually differentiate your business. It’s how you can look more professional and established to new and existing customers. It’s also a great way to then further your marketing efforts through marketing and merchandising.
Branding must take a design-led approach. Use smart motifs, design ideas, and even colors that convey your business’s story and purpose. Try to think a bit outside of the box as well. You don’t want to fall into the trap of using camo, for example, since it’s widely overused and doesn’t help you stand out.
Workshop other ways that you can convey what your business does through visual mediums alone. Your branding will include your logo as well as illustrations.
Merchandising
Merchandising is a great way to:
- Create a stunning uniform that demands attention
- Diversify your income stream by letting fans of your brand buy more products
- Expand your marketing efforts
To merchandise correctly, you first need to find a high-quality supplier like Anthem Branding. You’ll want to piggy-back off their high-quality products, and then work within their specs to design something custom that feels unique and eye-catching. A great design can really draw the eye, making this product line an excellent uniform for you and your employees whenever customers are about. To further boost profits, sell those shirts, hats, and bags to your customers. Whenever your customers wear your products, they’ll be repping and marketing your brand. They’re also far more likely to recommend your business if anyone ever asks.
Get Your Brand in Front of Your Customer Base
Marketing is great, but if you’re not marketing to the right audience, you’re just wasting your money. This is why you need to focus your efforts on where survivalists gather. Other than the great outdoors and away from civilization, this is going to be in the form of outdoor brands, gatherings, and even conferences. Start by partnering with local sporting stores, then work on getting a booth at the events so that you can start putting your brand out there among your customer base.