The number of homeschooling families is on the rise!
In 2020, there were up to 2.65 million homeschooled students and in 2021 – 3.7 million. By 2022, this number grew to 4.3 million.
All of this means more now than ever there is a huge demand for printables, unit studies, tutors, and curriculum.
If you are a homeschool business owner, you are putting a lot of time into creating valuable products. However, just having great products isn't enough to make sales, you also need to get in front of the right people with the right message.
That's where the Rule Of 7 comes in.
The idea is simple. A potential customer must see or hear about your product in person, on TV, radio, on a banner, in print ads, or on the internet at least 7 times before they are likely to purchase it.
It comes from a marketing booklet written in 1885 by Thomas Smith that had outlined the 20 steps someone has to take before they decide to make a purchase. With the advent of radio, TV, and the internet, those twenty steps have shrunk to 7. (Click here to read more about this on our marketing agency blog.)
The 7 Steps
- The first time you see an ad, post, or blog, you become aware that the business exists. (Awareness)
- The second time, you discover that the product solves a problem. (Discovery)
- The third time, you realize that it will solve YOUR problem. (Discovery)
- The fourth time, you ask your spouse, co-workers or local homeschool Facebook group if they have tried the newfangled thing. (Consideration)
- The fifth time, you think perhaps it might be worth something if it can really solve your problems. (Consideration)
- The sixth time, you count your money carefully. (Consideration)
- The seventh time you see the ad, post or blog, you are convinced you need the product and you buy it. (Purchase)
The Buyer's Journey
People must be first aware of your business and the products that you offer before you can convince them to buy. This means writing blog posts, sharing social media posts, advertising and sending newsletters.
You have to explain you are offering a solution that they need. If they have a reluctant reader or the kid is struggling in math, you need to clearly communicate how you solve that problem.
They also need proof that you are telling the truth about how your product will solve their problem. For homeschool businesses, this often comes in the form of reviews on your Etsy shop or giving them a taste of what you have to offer through a free download.
Homeschool Businesses Need To Reach Busy Parents
But homeschool businesses face another challenge, and that is reaching homeschooling parents. They are busy, they are tired, and they need a coffee (wait, what was my point?)
The point is that you need a way to get your message in front of as many homeschooling parents as possible. The Homeschool Quest solves that problem with our focus on sharing free and affordable resources to make homeschooling parent's lives easier.
Whether it is through an ad in our pocket e-zine, a live class in our Facebook group, or an ad in our newsletter and blog, we will help you to build your newsletter list, and make more sales.
Here are 12 ways you can use the Rule of 7 to grow your homeschool printables business:
- Create social media profiles and share your homeschool printables on them at least three times a week
- Start a blog and post at least once a month about your business and the benefits of your printables.
- Start a newsletter and send an email once a month featuring new products and special offers.
- Start advertising on social media, search engines or homeschool magazines to reach potential customers who may not have heard of your business.
- Go to homeschooling conferences or events to meet potential customers to showcase your products.
- Meet up with local homeschooling co-ops or events to share your products with potential customers in your community.
- Collaborate with other homeschooling businesses or influencers by writing guest blog posts, doing giveaways, or being interviewed on their podcast.
- Create engaging videos explaining how your printables can benefit homeschooling parents and students.
- Host live videos on social media to answer questions and provide more information about your products.
- Use customer reviews on your website and social media to build trust with potential customers.
- Create an affiliate program to encourage satisfied customers to refer their friends.
- Create a loyalty program to encourage return customers to purchase from your business again.
Attracting new customers and selling more printables are keys to growing a homeschool business.
In order for customers to see your products multiple times, you need to use a variety of marketing methods. By focusing on creating engaging and informative content such as blog posts and social media posts, you can encourage customers to purchase your printables and help your business grow.
Click here to learn more about the advertising through The Homeschool Quest.
