1. One of my absolute favorite marketing tips is to follow the
bikini principle. You can give 90% of it away for free. There will always be people willing to pay for the other 10%. That principle being followed, perhaps I only have another 10.1 marketing tips. But I also believe one of the best things you can do for your business is…
2. Never stop learning. My grandmother was an English teacher. She is 89 and still learning new things. She loves to remind me to do the same.
7.
Market to kids. They’re more recession proof and control a lot of checkbooks.
10. Keep your
employees happy. They will make you more money. Your employees should be advocates for your brand.
11. Think about the big picture. Get a free, no obligation strategic marketing consultation from an independent marketing expert. If not from
me, find someone locally that works on a freelance basis. They can look at the big picture; see where you are, and where you’d like to be. They can create an overall marketing plan or specific marketing tactics, or both.
Marketing Yourself
12. If you haven’t yet figured it out… it’s all about who you know. It’s all about relationships.
14. Be prepared to meet potential clients, investors, and colleagues anywhere you go. (Brush your teeth. Don't wear PJs to the store. And carry those business cards!)
15. Invest in yourself. Take a
class.
21. Be passionate about what you do. Declare your love for your job.
22. Join a group. Try out the local chamber of commerce, industry groups, and service organizations. Find one that feels right. Or two if you have the time to commit to both.
23. Don’t expect everyone to like what you have to say. They won’t. Don’t take it personally; it’s business. On the other hand, when you mess up…
24. Apologize. Do so quickly and sincerely. Follow up with a handwritten card.
Internet Marketing
28. Contemplate the future of
display ads; decide if they’re right for you.
29. Get a
QR or quick response code. Put it wherever appropriate. Be sure to link it to something that will be regularly updated: your YouTube channel, Facebook page, etc.
Social Media Marketing
33. Keep up with
changes on Facebook.
35. Try
blogging. It’s perfect for hosting content for free (or virtually free) and to prove yourself as a subject matter expert.
36. Focus the content of your
blog.
41. Try
Twitter.
I have, even though I don’t think it’ll really do much to help my business.
Word of Mouth Marketing
44. Earn referrals by providing quality products and service.
45. Ask for referrals.
46. Overcome shyness.
Improve your conversation skills.
47.
Don't do all the talking. Follow others on social media. Make meaningful comments and like other posts.
Website Content
50. If you
don’t have a website, go get one. Now. Seriously. Stop reading this and go get a website. Call me if you need help.715-584-6773
55. Rewrite your
About Us page. Have an interesting story for your company history.
Traditional Marketing
61. Consider if your industry could use
fear marketing. One of the strongest emotions causes your audience to act decisively.
62. Do you have a
corporate strategic plan? Consider your mission, objectives, and strategy.
62. Polish your
vision statement. Does it mean anything? Do your employees know it and what it means?
68. How’s your
logo? Do you know what colors to use? How to make it memorable? And yes, it is okay to change it. Even if you’ve had it for years, especially if you’ve had it for yeeeaaaarrrrrsss.
Radio
69. Like most marketing campaigns that small business try, the biggest mistake they make is quitting to soon. To do radio right, you need to make sure you’re heard by your target audience more than once. Pick the right channel, time, and disc jockey.
Print
70. Submit your print ad for review by Terra L. Fletcher. Email it to terra(at)fletcherfreelance(dot)com.
73. Write a great
press release. Remember the best advertising is advertising that doesn’t look like advertising.
74. Avoid
weasel words in advertising; including often, some people, and probably.
75. Host an event and market it properly. Consider a
charity event. Real invitations are always nice.
76. Take a look at your
business card. Is it boring? Does it look like every other business card in your rolodex or padfolio?
77. Try a
sales letter. Sure it’s a little old-fashioned, but because they are rarer, they just might stand out. Use these tips to make them say yes.
78. Write a
newsletter. Make it short and send it out consistently.(While we're at it, subscribe to my newsletter. Just put your email address in that little box on the right. I promise to only email you once a month. And never share your contact info.)
79. Use
graphic enhancements to guide your audience through a document. This also works for brochures, emails, sales letters, and more.
Email Marketing
80. Don’t try to do
email marketing from your hotmail, yahoo, gmail, or even outlook account. Your emails won’t get through, your IP address could get blocked, and recipients will not be happy to see their name on a list with everyone else. Do try
Constant Contact.
82. Build your list by reaching out to your customers/clients, members, and get new names. Ask for email addresses at point of sale, on surveys, or at events.
83. Brush up on
email etiquette. Don’t do anything that might get you identified as a spammer. Learn some efficiency tips.
84. Use an
auto responder email. Focus on your audience. Make it personal and friendly.
Mobile Marketing
85.
Text message marketing? Over 90% of all text messages are read. And many mobile shoppers can receive unlimited incoming messages for no additional fee.
86. Text message marketing is best for spur-of-the-moment and impulse work. For example, you’re having a slow day, text that the first five through the door get…
In your Store
88. Rotate stock, put items together that will make an outfit, compliment each other in a gift basket, or would appeal to the same type of customer.
89. Walk in your store the way a customer would. Don’t go in the back door. Go around front. Look at your building and signage. Walk in, where do your eyes go first? What needs changing or updating?
90. Get someone else to walk in your store. Someone that will be unbiased and objective. Ask them the same questions.
Nurture your Customers
CYA
Miscellaneous
95.
Hire a copywriter to write your website content.
96. Take a day off once in awhile.
97. Take care of yourself. Get enough sleep. Exercise. And breathe deeply.
98. Work on your
poise and posture.
99. Meet someone for coffee (or tea) at least once a week. (I'm game!)
100. Stop making excuses. Take some accountability for your life and your situation.
101. Read lots of books. (Hey, you're an adult. You can read what you want, skim, scan, skip ahead, reread, and decide not to finish a book if you want.) Check out my
reading list on LinkedIn. Recommend your favorites in the comments.
102. Always give a little more than expected.
Thanks for making it all the way through the list. Please add anything I missed in the comments.
