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.
3. Be aware of advertising types and media options that are available to you.
4. Don’t be afraid to try something a little outrageous. (Like wearing a tennis dress to a business banquet.)
5. Sell to tourists. They shop and eat out. More than the rest of us.
6. And they’re more likely to view you as a destination business.
7. Market to kids. They’re more recession proof and control a lot of checkbooks.
9. Give guarantees and back them up.Check out my no-typo guarantee and on-time guarantee.
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.
13. A business owner should always carry business cards.
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.
17. Improve your speaking ability.
18. Write great thank you cards.
19. Get some great testimonials. Let other people toot your horn.
20. Write testimonials.
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
25. Improve your online visibility with local search.
26. Know the different types of links.
27. Know what link building is.
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
30. Create a business page on Facebook. A custom landing page is a must.
31. Add an app to your Facebook business page.
33. Keep up with changes on Facebook.
34. Set up E-commerce 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.
37. Make your blog famous.
38. Create a Google+ business page.
39. Get your business on Foursquare.
40. Try my two favorite sites right now.
43. Read my social media marketing checklist.
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
51. And read tips for choosing the right domain name.
55. Rewrite your About Us page. Have an interesting story for your company history.
56. Now go tell the world something about yourself personally.
57. Don’t overlook the importance of your Contact page.
57. Don’t overlook the importance of your Contact page.
58. Brush up your website with a few DIY web copywriting tips.
Traditional Marketing
59. Craft a three word business slogan.
60. Get more out of your next business expo or trade show. Set goals. Train your staff. Have a great booth and follow up with your new contacts.
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. 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?
63. Learn about your customers. Study up on demographics, but also psychographics.
66. Skip costly yellow page ads. That is unless you sell to older people. Or you’re a pizza place.
67. But do consider your phone number. Does it mean anything? Visit phonespell.org to find out.
67. But do consider your phone number. Does it mean anything? Visit phonespell.org to find out.
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.
70. Submit your print ad for review by Terra L. Fletcher. Email it to terra(at)fletcherfreelance(dot)com.
71. Write Speedbump Headlines.
72. Learn the writing formula and tips for effective brochures.
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.
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
87. Make the most of shopping seasons.
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
93. Know when you shouldn’t listen to marketing consultants, yes there are times when even I don’t know what I’m talking about.
94. Know the real cost of hiring a marketing professional. I’m not as cheap as I was when I wrote this article in January 2010, but the principles are still the same. Sometimes you just need an outside perspective.
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.
I have seen your Blog... It’s too informative. well ! Printandradio is a full service advertising agency and it’s known every business dollar is essential in the overall health of a company.
ReplyDeleteTampa advertising agency, direct response advertising, Performance based print advertising