Small Business Marketing Tips | Our digital
world has made it simple to undo any unfortunate mistakes – simply hit Control
+ Z and move on. However, when it comes to marketing campaigns for your small
business, simply hitting Control + Z isn’t as easy.
Avoid searching for the undo button altogether
by steering clear of these top marketing mistakes made by small businesses.
Small business owners are typically not
excited about the prospect of marketing their products or services – After all,
that is NOT the reason why you got into business in the first place! Most
business owners don’t know where to begin or how to focus their efforts and up
to 9 out of 10 small businesses don’t even have a marketing plan. Unfortunately,
without effective marketing, your small business will probably not survive!
1. No Plan | Small Business Marketing Tips
OK, you’re probably thinking this is a
no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how often small businesses “wing it” when it
comes to their marketing strategy. Think of your marketing plan as your guide
to success. A strategic marketing plan will allow you to plot a course of
action so you can see when you’re making progress or heading down a slippery
slope.
2. Ignoring Existing Customers | Small
Business Marketing Tips
There are only a handful of people who haven’t
tried Coca-Cola, yet you continue to see their marketing efforts in full swing.
Why? Well, unfortunately, there’s always the chance that existing customers
will pack up and leave your brand. In order to prevent this from happening, you
must continue to market to them as well.
3. Not Planning a Marketing Budget | Small
Business Marketing Tips
Most businesses without a marketing plan also
lack a marketing budget. And companies without both have the highest rate of
failure. After all, would you run your personal life without a budget? If you
said yes, you may be one of the unfortunate souls overextended with credit or
on the verge of bankruptcy. If you own a small business, this can be avoided by
simply creating and living with a well-conceived marketing budget.
From the very beginning, and while you are
writing your Marketing Plan, it is important to focus on the financial costs of
implementation. A general rule of thumb says that at least 10% of your revenue
should be designated for your marketing efforts.That means dollars specifically
pinpointed for Web site design and maintenance, logo design and brand
development, marketing collateral, both print and electronic, and paying
someone, if you don’t have the time, skills, or desire to do so, to handle all
of your social media marketing needs.
4. Unclear and inconsistent marketing
messages: | Small Business Marketing Tips
Marketing messages have to be formulated to
speak to your target audience and their needs. There has to be reassurance that
your product or service can solve their problems. There has to be consistency
in all your messages. Communication has to be continuous and all messages have
to lead prospects to a specific conclusion (call to action). You are ultimately
connecting with the intention to convert a prospect into a loyal paying
customer / client!
5. You lack the readiness and willingness to
do what’s required | Small Business Marketing Tips
Marketing your business (or your book,
product, service, etc.) is a full-time job. If you’re not willing to do it, you
have to hire someone who is or get marketing support in another way. People
won’t just flock to you, with cash in their hands. You have to earn their trust
and respect over time, through engagement, service, information, and
relationship-building. And you need ambassadors for your work as well. You
can’t do this alone and in a vacuum.
Courtesy: www.medianovak.com
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