When I started Web Force KC over 12 years ago, I knew it would not be a typical ad/marketing agency. For years, I had worked for agencies that always seemed to overlook thriving industries because the nature of their businesses was considered taboo or high-risk. Smoke, tobacco, and vape shops were an industry that I had followed since I was in high school because, well, it was part of my culture. While smoke shops (or head shops) have been around since the 1960s, the industry’s explosive growth can be seen on almost every corner of every city and suburb, including here in Kansas City.
Smoke and Vape Shop Search Engine Optimization, Web Design, and Online Marketing
So why would Web Force KC want to get into smoke and vape shop marketing? Well, for one thing, it’s FUN! That’s not to say I don’t enjoy creating content for my other clients’ industries. Still, if you can imagine waking up every day and knocking out blog content and social media posts about vapes, bongs, rolling papers, and other smoking/vaping supplies coupled with local sports, holidays, weather, events, or whatever while getting paid for it, and more importantly, soundly dominating any market we are hired to promote shops in, it’s pretty damn fun.
The thing is that it is by no means easy. Smoke and vape shops have always had an interestingly restrictive place in online marketing and social networks; not knowing the rules of engagement can land an agency in big trouble. While the US continues to lower its guard on things like cannabis, some social media platforms will suspend or ban users for violating community guidelines. This means that if they deem a post to be about drugs (THC/CBD/kratom, etc.) or promoting tobacco (cigarettes, chewing tobacco), they will take action. (Trust me, I’ve been in Meta jail countless times). Plus, most, if not all, of the top social media platforms won’t allow smoke/vape shops to use paid advertising (or boost) for content. If that’s not enough, Google and other search engines won’t allow PPC campaigns for smoke/vape shops, leaving SEO and organic content marketing the only viable choice for success. Yelp does allow smoke/vape shops to do paid advertising, but based on my experience, the results are lackluster at best for the amount of money you’ll spend.
So, how does an agency effectively market a smoke/vape shop in a hyper-competitive market? Well, it mostly has to do with creating solid, consistent content and having a firm understanding of what the ultimate call-to-action(s) is. Obviously, “get directions‘ is number one, but getting phone calls is a close second because that’s when the stores’ staff sales skills have to kick in. Thinking local and staying on top of what’s happening is a significant component of creating compelling content. We’ve learned from experience that not knowing what’s going on in the metro can directly affect sales volume on any given day.
A prime example is when football starts in the fall. Here in KC, it’s a must-watch TV unless, of course, you’re at Arrowhead. Making sure that the smoke/vape shops get EARLY social media posts and content published is crucial because foot traffic dies in every shop after kickoff, tipoff, or, in some cases, the first pitch. The same is true in the Dallas-Fort Worth market when the Cowboys play, which seems odd because they are never very good (sorry, not sorry).
Without giving out any secrets, the truth is that no marketing campaign is “easy,” but many standard online marketing tools are limited or non-existent in the case of smoke and vape shops. It takes solid, consistent content with clear and easy-to-access calls to action because no one walks through your doors if you don’t show up in a given search.
Until next time. 🍻
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