|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The 3 Unknown Steps of Marketing Success
To be your own marketing expert you first need to know where to begin. It's no good learning how to be a good copywriter, if you don't know what medium is best to promote your work through.
So the first step of marketing success is understanding what strategies are available for you in your business.
From my own years of research I have found 74 different ways to generate a potential customer for every industry and that doesn't include the dozens of ways to generate inquiries online. The 74 strategies are all used for offline promotion.
I'll just share with you a few of the best, yet least known strategies here below.
Do you know what strategic alliance, host beneficiary and proactive referral strategies are? What about piggyback invoice mailings, reverse host beneficiary, invitation closed door sales, loyalty programs and school newsletter ads?
Of these strategies the ones I like the best are proactive referral systems, where you offer an incentive to your customers soon after they buy, to refer other customers to you and promote this through a letter to your customer within days after buying. This works a treat!
One of my other favourites is a strategic alliance whereby you find a business that has a similar target market to your own and you meet with them to agree to send customers to each other. This could be with business cards, brochures, special coupons with offers on them or simply by using a verbal recommendation.
I've had clients of mine grow by 150% in 9 months with no advertising cost at all over that time with strategic alliances. It costs nothing, you only have to do work once and you can make money from it forever. How can you beat that?
When you have a strong alliance going, you can take it another step with an endorsed mailing whereby the business owner promotes your business to their database in the form of a letter.
You can also use a host beneficiary where you talk to another business owner about mailing their database of clients where the letter talks about your business, telling them how great you are and including an offer to buy from you.
You can work on a commission structure or simply reciprocate the favor with your own business, which is called a 'reverse host beneficiary'.
So that's step one of marketing success, becoming aware of many of the hundreds of marketing strategies that are available to you to promote your business.
Step 2 is knowing which out of all the hundreds of marketing strategies are best to use in the order of most effective first.
This takes real skill and its what great marketing plans are all about. Too often in small business the owners throw away thousands of dollars on marketing with little to no hope of return. I don't know of many small businesses that can afford to throw away money on marketing that may not work.
In business you always have time or money to promote your business and sometimes both. Deciding which strategies to use in order of best first depends on what's happening with your business right now.
Sometimes (usually) its better to work on increasing your conversion rates and sales skills than it is to spend money on generating new inquiries.
And before sales skills it's a good idea to try putting your prices up 10%. I guarantee you'd be amazed if you knew how many business owners I have persuaded to do this and the incredible profit results that have occurred as a result! This strategy again depends on your industry and advice from a great marketing person can help you to decide if it should be high on your priority list.
So once you become aware, with some research of your own, what strategies are available to you to promote your business, then you've understood which strategies are best to put in highest priority order, then you're ready to start research on the best ways to express your businesses products or services with powerful words and copywriting.
Again this step is a real science but reading books on the top authors in the world like Joe Vitale, Claude Hopkins and John Caples makes a huge difference.
Or you can find yourself a great marketing person who can teach you to do it yourself. The choice is yours (I recommend being taught as then you have the skills forever, and you know your own customers better than anyone).
Personally, I've found when you get your marketing priorities right, in the best order that's right for you, 50% and higher growth in 6-12 months in profit is quite achievable and common, whatever your industry type or situation.
So there you have it, the 3 major steps to create your own marketing success. Start with finding out what you don't know on your own steam, or from an expert in marketing... its always a great way to get started.
Tim Stokes is a business builder who trains people in how to market their own business. His results with clients are extroardinary with many making thousands of dollars profit per promotion without Tim's ongoing assistance, just by applying what he teaches them.
To find out more about Tim's business and marketing education programs go to http://www.bbms.com.au
Advertisement: Honest Riches - Click Here!
Advertisement: Lost AdWords - Click Here!
Advertisement: Get $1 Million A Month In Google Pay-Per-Click Ads Free! - Click Here!
Advertisement: Who Loves Money? - Click Here!
Advertisement: SEO Elite, the GrandDaddy of SEO Software - Click Here!
CNNMoney.com - 15 hours ago
Ace Marketing & Promotions Inc. (OTCBB: AMKT) announces that IMAX Theaters is piloting Proximity Marketing at its Palisades theater location in NY, ...
Bizjournals.com, NC - 11 hours ago
Database marketing firm Merkle Inc. has signed up the Limited as a new client in a three-year contract. The Columbia firm will analyze customer data to help ...
Merkle Selected by The Limited to Support Integrated Customer ... MarketWatch (press release)
all 17 news articles
Boston Globe
Bizjournals.com, NC - 15 hours ago
United Parcel Service Inc. rival FedEx Corp. will cut its marketing budget by more than 25 percent for 2009, the company recently disclosed on its blog. ...
FedEx cuts marketing spend by more than 25 percent Reuters
FedEx to reduce marketing budgets by 25% Brand Republic
all 43 news articles
Bizjournals.com, NC - 15 hours ago
Downtown Greensboro marketing firm Bouvier Kelly has won three awards from the Carolina Healthcare Public Relations and Marketing Society for its work with ...
CNNMoney.com - 6 hours ago
TMI's marketing plan includes a program where LTC facilities can lease the equipment necessary to perform skin assessments and store the necessary data ...
Wellstar/TMI Announces Estimated Three-Year Revenue Projections MSNBC
all 9 news articles
Sun-Sentinel.com, FL - 13 hours ago
By Sarah Talalay | South Florida Sun-Sentinel University of Florida fan Michelle Jackson has her outfit for college football's national championship game ...
BCS National Championship notebook Dallas Morning News
Danny Wuerffel to Tim Tebow: Return for senior year Orlando Sentinel
all 3,405 news articles
CNNMoney.com - 15 hours ago
Proton will start by marketing a variety of enhanced water products that provide health benefits for people and the planet as well as the commercial product ...
MSNBC - 2 hours ago
The initial stages of marketing the properties for sale have already begun, and the Company will expand those efforts now that the properties are completely ...
Indianapolis Star, United States - 12 hours ago
With a team of 25 brokers and additional market research, marketing, and client support staff, Summit Realty Group specializes in office, industrial, ...
MediaPost Publications, New York - 1 hour ago
by Erik Sass, 7 hours ago Katz Media Group is launching a new national marketing unit that will focus on creating custom solutions for advertisers that take ...
Katz Launches Katz Marketing Solutions Streaming Magazine
Katz Media Group Reorgs to Trim Costs MEDIAWEEK
Katz Media Group Launches National Marketing Unit to Exploit the ... Earthtimes (press release)
Radio Business Report - AdAge.comall 24 news articles
Website Promotion Strategies For Targeted Web Site Traffic
If you're looking to drive more targeted traffic to your web site, you'll want to pay close attention to the website promotion strategies presented in this article.... Read More
The Marketing Funnel: Simple, Effective Marketing Strategy
No matter if you're publishing your first book or producing your first invention, you need a simple, effective marketing strategy. So, hiring a marketing agency to develop... Read More
Did Jesus Get Killed for Practicing Interruption Marketing?
I'm reading Seth Godin's Permission Marketing and he brings up the difference between Interruption Marketing and Permission Marketing.Interruption Marketing is when you interrupt people from what they... Read More
Who are Those People Youre Selling To?
If you're in the IT business, that's an important question.Most marketers are keen to profile their prospects. For some products and services, these may be 'people with... Read More
Tricks of the Trade: Design your Booth for Maximum Impact
The fight for your customer's attention at a tradeshow has never been so intense. Budget cutbacks in the travel sector means that buyers spend less time than... Read More
Features vs. Benefits vs. End Results
If you've been in the copywriting realm for very long at all, you've heard the phrase "features vs. benefits." It's a fundamental copywriting principle and driving force... Read More
What the Heck is a Campaign and Why Do I Need to Do One?
Many people ask me, "What is a postcard campaign, exactly?" "And why do I need one?" As I have been educating my clients one on one for... Read More
Spring Cleaning: How To Do It In Your Business To Make More Room For Success
With the arrival of Spring, I decided to get outside and into my garden. I had neglected to do some basic maintenance during the previous months and... Read More
Bridging the Chasm from Lead to Loyal Customer
Bridging the Chasm from Lead to Loyal Customer: A Step by Step Guide for Developing Awareness, Building Credibility and Acquiring CustomersHave you ever watched a documentary about... Read More
Read Your Markets Mind - 3 Great Market Research Resources
Starting a new online business, developing a new product, launching a new marketing campaign, buying advertising can all depend on how well you are able to research... Read More
The Truth About The Fallacy Of 7
Ted Nicholas is a marketer with a proven track record. He has started, operated and sold 21 profitable businesses, and is responsible for the direct or indirect... Read More
Sleigh Bells Ring...And Cash Registers, Too
During the holidays, folks everywhere shop many long hours to buy gifts for the important people in their lives. Spending at this time of year is one... Read More
A Complaint? It?s a Compliment! - 7 Tips for Dealing with Complaints at Trade Shows
A Complaint? It's a Compliment!What made you mad last week?In the past week, how many times were you upset by something? What action did you take? Complain... Read More
Wooing Women With Packaging
In just one month three California vineyards have introduced new wine product lines specifically targeted to women. The product offerings are intriguing with names such as "White... Read More
Using Purchased Leads
A little advice about using leads that you purchase from another source;These are not opt-in leads per-say, that you have gathered using lead capture pages.They might join... Read More
10 Beer Budget Event Marketing Tips
Are you planning an event or participating in a trade show any time soon? If so, consider the following 10 low-cost marketing tactics before mailing your payment.Event... Read More
Catalogs are Selling Machines
If you've got a mailbox, you're no doubt aware of the popularity of catalogs. People love to look through catalogs, and more important, they love to buy... Read More
Write Effective Fundraising Letters By Being Conversational (Includes Examples & Samples)
I am doing what you do, sitting at my computer, trying to get my thoughts out of my head and into a written form that will help... Read More
How to Use Flyers to Increase Your Business
What benefits will you get from flyers?Flyers are much different from postcards in that they convey product sales to the consumer. Safeway, Costco, Albertsons and other grocery... Read More
Avoid These 5 Web Site Blunders!
The Web is intended to help people find information quickly and easily. So why do so many sites make it difficult for users to get what they... Read More
PowerPositioning: WillYouAcceptThisRose.com
Positioning is a powerful concept in marketing. To illustrate, have you ever visited a fast food restaurant, and, in a rush to complete your order asked for... Read More
Networking Events ? Lose the Fear and Gain the Benefits
"Kevin, are you saying I need to go to Networking events? I hope not because I hate them."No, of course you don't have to go to them.... Read More
More Scams! Do you Really Believe It?
Quit spreading those chain letters, nothing is going to happen to you if you don't mail it to the next person. However, there is a better chance... Read More
Inform vs. Excite
excite v. 1 a: to call to activity b: to arouse to feeling 2 a: ENERGIZE b: to produce a magnetic field in 3: to increase the... Read More
Marketing With Brochures
With the explosion of the internet and online businesses many business owners forget how important it is to market offline as well. One of the main pieces... Read More
Writing Marketing Copy That Sells
When your prospects see your marketing materials, your brochure, your web site or your ads you want them to read them. You want prospects to read not... Read More
Using Business and Greeting Cards Effectively
Business cards and greeting cards almost go hand in hand when being used for marketing and business purposes. With a few exceptions. One is bigger than the... Read More
Growing Your Business With Your Marketing Priorities
None of us have enough time in the day to get everything done, but small business owners and entrepreneurs like you are particularly pressed. You wear so... Read More
Rules of Thumb for Marketing to Your Past Customers
Keeping in touch can dramatically increase business, when done properly.It's a fact that your customers are your best leads. This means that the most likely people to... Read More
Educating Your Customers
One of the biggest marketing mistakes businesses make today is failing to educate their prospects and customers about the unique advantages that are being offered to them.... Read More
Listen To What The Marketing Experts Say
But more importantly, watch what they do. If you do much online shopping, you're sure to have seen some great, and not so great, sales letters urging... Read More
Discovering The Benefits That Hook Your Prospect
Benefits! They're what marketing is all about. No doubt you've heard the mantra over and over: "Benefits, not features.. Benefits, not features."So how do you tell the... Read More
Your Elevator Speech ? Have You Updated Yours Recently?
Do you have an elevator speech? Does it get people's attention? Do they ask you lots of questions when you tell them what you do?Every great elevator... Read More
Marketing Smarter To Earn More
An accountant once told me that he never met anyone who didn't want to make 30% more money. Whether you want a better lifestyle or to take... Read More
How To Achieve Success With Your Own Money Making Newsletter
Writing and publishing a successful newsletter is perhaps the most competitive of all the different areas of mail order and direct marketing. You can still publish newsletter... Read More
Coupons that Work
Turn a coupon into a business card (or vice versa).Coupons are seen everywhere; you clip them from the newspaper to save on groceries, you get them in... Read More
For Ongoing Success, Make Marketing a Habit
Make Marketing a Must, Not a MaybeWhen business is booming, it's easy to put marketing on the back burner. Why focus attention on getting new customers when... Read More
Image is Key to Your Marketing Success
In virtually any business first impressions are lasting impressions. Most people have heard this statement for years, and yet some people completely ignore the first impression they... Read More
Business Marketing For Consultants, Coaches, Speakers, and Trainers: How To Be Noticed and Trusted
Business marketing is essential for professional services, such as consultants, coaches, speakers and trainers.Creating trust with prospects and clients is essential. How do you do that?A Reader's... Read More
How to Create a Countdown Marketing Calendar
Just like there are reverse dictionaries, there is a reason to create a count down calendar. A count down calendar starts with Franklin Covey's philosophy, "start with... Read More
Growing Your Brand Assets
Okay. Raise your hand if you think brand management is just for BIG companies (like Target, McDonalds or Ford.) Wow! That's a lot of hands! Well, guess... Read More
Always Sell To New Eyes And New Ears
One of the hardest things for you to do as an advertiser to do is to step into your prospect's shoes and really understand what makes him... Read More
Customers: The Key To Successful Marketing
How well do you know your customers?What is the primary reason your customers or clients come to you? Or purchase your product or service? What is the... Read More
Make More Money with Marketing Metrics
Do you know how effective each of your individual marketing tactics is? Many small business owners market in a vacuum. They spend money on brochures, advertisements and... Read More
Do You Know Where Your Email Address is Today?
Having people go to your website is not always easy: remind them with a special business card.Whether you understand it nor not, the web is likely here... Read More
Small Business Pricing: Setting A Price For Your Product / Service
The importance of pricing can not be underestimated as incorrect pricing can often result in the failure of a business. New businesses often make the mistake of... Read More
How Do You Know Your Clients Cant Pay More?
"My clients can't afford higher rates."When more than 330 business owners and self-employed professionals checked off reasons why their income was not going through the roof, this... Read More
Networking Basics Turn Yourself Into A Profit Making Giant
I would like to introduce you to one of my brick and mortar business I run. It is called AFM Computer Repair. This business takes me about... Read More
Promotional Marketing Products ? Selecting the Perfect Item
People are known to shop on impulse- buying an item just because it is on sale, or purchasing something because it looks great in the store. When... Read More
4 Easy Ways to Get Free Marketing Exposure
Are there really ways you can get valuable marketing exposure without spending any money? You bet there are. The trick to uncovering these methods is to think... Read More
A Quick Guide To Finding Reciprocal Links
Trading reciprocal links is one of the best ways to build traffic at your website. A reciprocal link is where two websites agree to host a link... Read More
Radio Advertising Works With These Tips!
Advertising on the radio can be an effective lead generation strategy. But like all marketing tactics, success or failure lies in its implementation. Here are 15 important... Read More