Rural India is a vast market for FMCG food products and all the major companies realize this fact. Low internet cost and a vast range of smartphones have led to an increase of rural internet users. They are active on all the major social media platforms and use them for online purchases too. The convenient UPI payment options have also facilitated their buying. The untapped potential of rural markets has increased the FMCG advertising in the sector.
FMCG advertising made strong inroads in rural India post covid
Residents or rural areas and tier II cities depend more on their local kirana market. During the pandemic, their distribution chain of Distributor-Wholesaler-Retailer was disrupted and people had to use online shopping sites to buy essential items. FMCG manufacturing companies saw this as a big opportunity and increased FMCG product advertisement in rural areas. Through WhatsApp and Tiktok brand management in rural marketing took a new turn and consumer goods companies saw to it that the shopping experience of these consumers became easier and more convenient.
Rural marketing management is a need for consumption driven economy like India
The biggest consumer goods companies, a decade back, created relatable characters as a part of their brand management in rural marketing. They took this initiative to make their products more popular in rural zones. Even though these products were priced higher than their local competitors, these communications could convey the value add proposition of these brands. As a result, they become successful products in rural market.
Factors that increase the impact of digital marketing in rural areas
- Use of regional languages
More brands are employing this strategy in brand management in rural marketing. Communication in local language is more successful while promoting products and services. - Marketing of relevant products
As a renowned digital marketing agency in Mumbai, we are aware that the rural population has more attraction towards certain products and services. A well-defined category in fast moving consumer goods list specially for rural areas can prove advantageous for fast consumer goods companies. - Well-targeted campaigns
Technology has enabled us to make our campaigns more specific and target-oriented. When customers buy premium products over local, rural marketing is a success. - Depiction of the right values
Traditional values and patriotism are more relevant in these areas. This is important to remember in digital rural marketing. When marketing campaigns brings out these feelings, the rural audience tends to connect more.
Influencer Marketing, an important aspect of digital rural marketing
Picking up the right Influencer is crucial while digital marketing in rural areas. The person could be from the local area who holds a command and is famous for his expertise. While doing a rural and agricultural marketing of a leading pesticide, we tied up with well-known farmers of the region and asked them to speak about our product. The campaign was well-received and the sales of the product increased in no time.
Digital marketing in rural areas offers big promise, time to make the best of it
The urban population has innumerable options and is moving towards saturation. FMCG manufacturing companies now concentrate more on villages and smaller towns of India. Smartphones have completely changed the way; we see marketing campaigns. Digital media marketing is the new trend and that has taken marketing campaigns to a new high.
It is a myth that rural marketing is only related to advertisement of agricultural goods through rural and agricultural marketing.
Digital marketing in rural areas covers a lot of products and services. FMCG food products are famous in rural youth. The ease of online payments has made their purchase-decision effortless.
It is a good time for FMCG companies to launch their products in rural markets and become a success.