Ditch the stoner vibe. Welcome to the world of professional cannabis.
Digital marketing in the cannabis space is like running through quicksand. You believe you’re making progress, but suddenly, the ground shifts beneath you, and you’re in a deeper hole than when you started.
Shifting regulations, new markets, and a flood of competition affect every sector of cannabis. From growers to dispensary owners, it’s an uphill battle to dominate the digital cannabis space. That’s why so many cannabis brands neglect to build their digital presence. Where many see this challenge as a losing battle, we see it as an opportunity.
The M&P team has learned many lessons in the cannabis & CBD marketing space. Our experience with cannabis brands has allowed us to compile helpful tips and tricks for navigating the complex, ever-changing cannabis advertising space.
Our team has had direct experience working within the cannabis industry. We’ve worked with companies to launch new brands, produce content, and develop their SEO presence.
We’ve secured press coverage for cannabis personalities, built out robust dispensary websites, and integrated online ordering and delivery for producers – all to dominate local (and eventually national) markets.
With each of these strategies, our team has developed a unique know-how to combine our digital knowledge with the strange (and quasi-legal) challenges within the cannabis industry.
While your branding does a lot to draw a specific audience, we typically see two distinct demographics for CBD. First, the young parent who is looking for a way to de-stress without becoming completely inhibited by THC products. Another is the 50+ demographic that is exploring new, more organic ways to treat common ailments like joint pain and stiffness. Showcasing lifestyle photography, not just product photography, on your website and social media that feature these two demographics is the best way to target these audiences!
The tricky answer is that it’s possible, but not easy. The ads must not feature any product images, the copy can’t specify any diagnosable ailments, and the landing page must not feature the word “CBD” anywhere on the page.
Most CBD companies who run Facebook ads have created a landing page through programs like UnBounce, who allow for custom pages that can click through the actual CBD website.
Targeting can be tricky, too. Be sure you set your age targeting above 21-years-old. While some states allow for CBD purchases of 18+, it’s best to steer clear of targeting anyone below 21.
Since Instagram ads are run through the Facebook platforms, it’s possible to run Instagram ads for CBD, but there are many hoops to jump through before getting approved.
Most of the restrictions follow the same process as our Facebook recommendations.
However, one difference we have noticed that performs well on Instagram is ads that feature articles, stories, or information about CBD, rather than promoting products or a brand in general.
These content pieces can feature certain products on the landing page. Additionally, with correct Facebook Pixel placement, a CBD company can build a retargeting audience to use when (not if) Facebook and Instagram open their ad platform completely for CBD products.
For now, the best strategy is to run ads promoting content and build a quality audience in preparation for the advertising floodgates to open.
Compared to social media channels, PPC ads have a difficult time getting approved in Google Ads. While CBD companies need to avoid using “CBD” on the landing page, Google also restricts the types of keywords a company can bid on within a campaign.
Most CBD companies that run PPC ads utilize a separate, but identical, website that exchanges the word “CBD” for “Hemp” on all content, products, and product images.
If you have the funds and resources to create, design, and manage an identical site (like the Charlotte’s Web example here), then it’s a great opportunity to garner new clients.
For search, however, our recommendation is to focus your marketing efforts on boosting the SEO value of your original site. There are no restrictions for ranking organically within Google, and users click on organic listings at a much higher frequency than the paid ads.
After years of helping CBD and cannabis companies develop marketing campaigns, we can confidently say that content marketing, through blogs and articles, is the most consistent and effective way to build your digital presence.
Content marketing will not only help your website’s SEO, but it’s the tactic that you can leverage for paid ads on Facebook and Instagram.
Tell your brand story, tell the benefits of your CBD product, highlight your team, and educate your customers on the work you put in every day to make your products great.
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Not only is fresh content a key piece of SEO development, but the active community of CBD and cannabis enthusiasts are in constant conversation about the industry, benefits, people, and products. Content marketing, or writing blogs and articles, can be leveraged effectively on social media and large publications via sponsored content. Creating a content strategy keeps the digital gears turning while the industry progresses.
The CBD & cannabis community is expanding faster every year. At a rate we haven’t seen since the boom of alcohol after prohibition was lifted. Cannabis & CBD is normalized. So, no need to lean on green, pack a pun, or slap a marijuana leaf as a logo. It’s time to elevate your brand. CBD consumers are everyday people – mom’s, dad’s, CEO’s, and your grandma in Tennessee. It’s our job to build you a lifestyle.
Often overlooked, but always useful. Placing the proper tracking and analytics tools on your website is a vital piece to growing your online presence. Even with a fancy website, huge following on social media, or pristine product images – there is always room for improvement. Web analytics can guide your marketing efforts to focus on the highest potential growth opportunities.
We’re not claiming to be experts in this industry. You’re the expert. We’re the experts at the algorithm.
With our unique onboarding process, our team spends hours listening to your vision and then crafts a one-of-a-kind campaign based on our conversation.
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