Aren’t you a rocket scientist? No problem, you can still be a good seller. But unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Every business is different. The marketing plan of a small bank is completely different from that of a beauty salon. But building a plan, sticking to it, and putting in the time and resources necessary is what will make you a marketing genius.

Here are some suggestions to make you a marketing rocket scientist:

· Learn how to do it. Remember, knowing what not to do is just as important as what to do. Marketing is a complicated world, so learn what you’re doing before you jump in.

· Customers always come first. Know who these important people are, what they like, what they want and what they need. And stay in touch with them long after the sale, because you want them to come back.

Know your target market like the back of your hand. Just because they can fog up a mirror doesn’t qualify them as a target prospect! You need to make sure that your marketing efforts are focused squarely on the people who need and want your product or service. That’s the secret to opening those wallets.

Remember, marketing is not advertising. Advertising and websites are not the only ways to attract business. There are literally hundreds of ways to market your business, so it pays to know which ones will work and which ones won’t and weed out the losers and the ones you can’t afford early on.

· Define your sales goals and objectives. Marketing is a numbers game. If a marketing activity doesn’t generate the numbers needed to reach your goals, it’s a waste of your money. So make sure you know your goals for income, expenses, profit, required inquiries, and sales.

· Have you heard of the four P’s of marketing? Getting your product, pricing, placement (distribution) strategy, and promotional strategy to work and work together is crucial to good marketing.

Essential tools for good business marketing

If you have all the marketing essentials together, you can’t help but attract customers and win new business. So gather everything in your marketing toolbox so you’re prepared at all times.

Here are some items to pack into that toolkit:

A marketing plan and budget: Create a solid plan that will work for you for years to come. It doesn’t have to be a thesis, but make sure you have it written. Communicate this plan to your team and act on it EVERY day, even when business is good.

A superior product or service: You can do all the advertising in the world, but if your product or service isn’t something your market wants, values, or loves, all that advertising will just go down the drain. So do your research and listen to those customers before you jump into the market.

A professional brand: a brand is much more than a logo. It’s everything you do to run your business. Everything your customer sees, touches, feels and thinks about your business determines your brand. It is vitally important that you invest in building your brand so that it stands out from the crowd and promises a strong value proposition to your customers.

Value Proposition – A value proposition is a statement that positions you against your competition in the marketplace and describes why customers should do business with you rather than any of your competitors. Tell your customers how they will benefit from doing business with you. Everything you do to market your business will revolve around your value proposition.

· Strong Marketing Materials – Your business card, sales brochures, sales letters, website, signage, uniforms, and car wraps say a lot about your business and help build your brand. Look professional and attractive at all times.

· An elevator pitch: Everyone is always asking, “What are you doing?” Don’t bore them with “I own a craft store.” Have a fun and memorable answer to that question every time. Something like “I own a craft store that carries the most original voodoo dolls from Jamaica and teenagers are giving them to all their friends for Christmas this year.” (You get the idea.) Keep it short and deliverable by the time you get to the fifth floor.

An amazing website – Your website is your home on the web and it needs to attract attention and provide real value. You will use this tool to keep in touch with your customers as well as a means of attracting new customers. The internet can be a scary place for some people, but if you don’t embrace it in today’s business climate, you may not be in business for long.

A Simple Database – The heart of all good marketing is building a solid database of past, present, and future customers (prospects) so you can keep in touch and communicate regularly through e-newsletters, emails, and more. telephone.

Smart ideas to market your small business

You don’t have to spend a ton of money. A little creativity and a strong desire to be different from others can make the difference between success and failure.

Here are some ideas to market your business:

· Attend networking events. It’s about who you know. So meet and greet. You never have too many friends.

· Sponsor local events or charities. You’ll feel great when you support the local community. Everyone wins: you, your employees, customers, the sponsor, and of course the entire community. Win win win.

· Perform public relations. Getting your name on the radio, television, newspapers and magazines is really not difficult, especially if you have a good story to tell.

· Embrace social media. Create a presence on social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Producing your own YouTube videos or writing your own blog are creative ways to let people know about you and your business. Believe it or not, it can actually be a lot of fun.

· Present seminars and events. Organize your own events and then invite your best clients and their friends. It’s a great way to meet people and build relationships.

· Do you want to be a public speaker? This isn’t for everyone, but if it’s your thing, it’s an awesome way to showcase your knowledge and win new business.

Top Marketing Tips for Businesses on a Low Budget

Most companies just don’t have a lot of money for marketing. But there are ways to generate business without spending a lot of money. Here are some tactics:

Try to focus on activities that build relationship strategies such as networking, business alliances, contact with old clients, friends and former co-workers.

Look for people who can help you with marketing on a commission basis, or a college student studying marketing who needs hands-on experience.

Get together with your small business owner friends and form a brainstorming group to share low-cost marketing ideas and recommend businesses to each other.

Embrace the world of online marketing and learn how to use Google AdWords, write blog posts, and sell yourself on social media.

Don’t overlook free online directories and post articles on other websites along with links to your site.

Don’t jump to low-cost options until you’ve got the basics covered. Develop your strategy, know your target market and make your product the best on the market.
What are you doing to further the cause of your business? If you have some unusual ideas that have worked for you, we’d love to hear them so we can pass on your solutions to others.