Posted on December 4, 2011
Today I am bringing you my top 7 secrets to successful marketing. I will admit that I had trouble sticking to only 7 so I am going to assume that you have read previous issues where I have stressed how important it is to have defined your target market; why you should always keep it simple (business does not have to be complicated); know the importance of building relationships with prospects; and why you are the only person who can write any advertising and promotional material for your business.
- You must have a database - this will prove to be the key to your success.Your database should contain as much information about your clients and prospective clients as possible so that you can contact them with details of new products and special offers. Of course having a database alone is not enough, you must be constantly following up with leads and building relationships so that in time prospects will choose to buy from you.
- Attract new clients and keep the interest of existing clients by using PR. Public relations does not have to be expensive or difficult and you can do it yourself without employing an expensive PR agency. What you need to remember is that every interview you give or article you write, must contain your contact details. Other great ways to raise your profile include writing a book or publishing a report.
- Offer promotions that give people the chance to try your product or service and make your company stand out from the competition. These promotions must be exciting in order to make potential customers want to take immediate action - for example, there are not many people who can resist a 'buy one, get one free' offer. Here it is important that you have higher priced products to up-sell in order to make it financially worthwhile offering promotions. What you need to remember is that the promotional offers that are the most successful are those that have a time limit so tell prospective clients what they need to do and how little time they have in which to do it.
- Get your clients to do your sales and marketing for you by asking them for referrals and testimonials - if they are impressed with your product or service then they will want to tell others. The easiest way to do this is when a customer compliments you on your product or service, ask if you can quote them. Write down what they said and ask them to agree it and then use it. Read More...
Posted on October 24, 2011
When starting a business, you should always make sure you have a passion for the product or services you want to sell to the public. A brilliant idea doesn't always mean a successful business. There are certain steps you must always take towards having a successful business. Always have a business plan and a target market for your product or services. Aside from passion and drive, a great entrepreneur always finds a problem that exists, and creates a solution to that problem that is unique. After he does that, his paperwork has to be in order. Incorporating your business enables you to attain a tax identification number to make your business legitimate.
Next, you would want to build a website. A business without a website is no business at all. Unless you know how to build a website, you should hire a web designer to build one for you. Make sure the site is clean and presentable. The content should focus solely on what you are selling, product display or services. It would also be good to have some testimonials about your product or services. Write about your knowledge of the product/service and why yours is the best option. Chances are there are many businesses promoting similar products or services so it is very important to make yours stand out. You must have a niche. Read More...
Posted on August 13, 2011
Like all small business owners, you want to get more clients but feel that nothing you do is getting the results you want. Rest assured that you are not alone. I have heard this a lot from clients which is why I have put together what I believe to be the key 7 things that you need to do in order to get more clients. Most of the 7 tips are extremely obvious but what I have been finding is that while many business owners are aware of them, they aren't really following them - only read this if you are prepared to make the time to take appropriate action!
1. Take time to define your niche and target market because you can't be all things to all people. You need to know what makes you and your products/services unique so you can position yourself as an expert within your niche. Then you must have a clearly defined market which you can describe in 1 short sentence. There is a lot of information available on the internet to help you do this. You can then ensure that the vast majority of your marketing efforts are targeted directly at your target market in order for it to be effective. For example, if your niche is career coaching and your target market is school leavers, then this is the area you should be focussing your marketing on.
2. Try changing your approach to selling so that you "sell the sizzle not the steak". People will buy from you if you can give them a solution to their problem so stop trying to sell products and services and instead focus on making your target market aware of the solutions and benefits that your products/services provide. Read More...