Building a Marketing Base
This blog will feature tips on how to build a marketing base for your business. Even if you haven’t done ANY marketing, here’s a few things to get you started.
Who?
First, you need to know who your customer base is. Who are you marketing to? Where? Age? What’s their interests? For example, try to segment your customers based on who you’ve already sold to. Take notes and come up with an average at the very least. Tough to do with limited info, but necessary.
If you don’t have these numbers, use a simple chart or even tally marks on a pad to get more specific. Use guesstimates if you need to. This will certainly get you a start.
Where?
Now take those numbers (even if it’s a small average from 10-20 customers) and determine where to put the marketing dollars. Yes, most importantly, you should have SOME marketing dollars set aside.
Are they on Facebook, Instagram, or mostly LinkedIn? Would billboards or signage in certain locations help? How about a direct mail campaign sent directly to businesses or homeowners? How’d your previous customers find you? Through your website, Google, or another online source?
Consequently, this will narrow down your best approach to get moving. As a result, you’ll learn quicker what works and what doesn’t as much.
How?
So, how are you going to implement your plan of action? This is the most difficult part. It will take time, patience, and some serious creative efforts to get the word out about your company.
If you aren’t very creative savvy, look to enlist those you know and trust that are. Get their thoughts about the look and aesthetics of your signage, social media pages and posts, or marketing materials. In addition, it’s very important that whatever strategy you plan to implement looks not just good, but GREAT! Marketing is all about visuals and attracting the eye to your message.
To clarify, we’ve said it before, an attractive image or design is key here. According to multiple eye tracking studies all over the Internet, the eye moves to an attractive image/design around 60,000-80,000 faster than just text.
Once an established base is determined, and where to market, the pieces or posts need to be interesting and visually appealing. How do you do this? Again, the difficult part. Billions of dollars per year are spent on creative marketing and advertising. There’s a good reason for it. It works!
Take the best quality photographs or video possible. Hire out if needed. Design materials, signage, or supporting charts/tables/infographics to make them interesting. Hire out if needed. In addition, if you hire a solid marketing team, or employee with an extensive creative background, they will (should) be able to convey that message visually.
Stay Level Headed.
Often times there may be a difference of opinion on the creative. Don’t get discouraged. For instance, you may have differences on an image or color. This is normal. However, stay true to your brand. Work together to come to a happy middle ground on how the creative side of things should look and feel, and as a result you’ll start to see the fruits of your labor.
So, in conclusion, by following these steps on a large or small scale you’ll begin to build a solid marketing base that will better your business. However, if you need advice we’re here to help.
Analyze. Create. Achieve.
What’s the Best Things About Email Marketing?
What’s the best things about email marketing?
by Email Marketing Girl
Personalize!
Instant!
Reach.
What Kinds of Content?
What kinds of content do you use to market your brand?
What is Content?
First, let’s discuss content quickly. Content is typically all that you see. Words, graphics, photos, videos, charts, and other advertisements. Subsequently, this is what attracts or deters customers.
We’ve done exhaustive research in attempts to find the best types of content. As a result, we CONSTANTLY find articles for social media or web design that say, “create great content, create great content, create great content.” Well, duh! So, how do we create great content? What makes “great content?”
Ideas
Here’s a few ways we (as your marketing firm) or even you, the business owner, can “create great content.” Think of it as a way for your company to speak.
- Be an expert. For example, anything you post or create for your business, make it known you are the expert(s) in that field. As a result, this will build credibility and trust. Don’t get too wrapped up in industry terminology, jargon, or acronyms. The reason for this is because those outside of your field may become confused. Be clear and concise.
- Be educational. Teach prospective customers something new and exciting about your business. Post a tip. Add a story about a problem that you fixed. Even more, be a help to someone.
- Answer a frequent question. Every business gets bombed with similar questions. “What’s the price, why is it so much?” or “You mean I need a new one, why?” are examples of pretty standard questions business owners are asked daily. Therefore, take a few frequent questions and share those answers!
- Positivity and/or humor. Create a funny ad. Write a hilarious story about something that happened to you or your team. A positive quote every now and again can help boost social media interest. As a result, using humor and positivity can increase interest in what you have to say. Above all, be professional.
What Does All This Do?
In conclusion, content is what drives marketing and advertising. If you don’t have great things to say or share, who’s going to care?
A brochure needs to contain information and images that separates you from competition. Social media posts should give your company character. A website must stand out and show customers WHY you are different.
In summary, content fuels how your business is perceived. As a result, this can be the difference between getting the phone to ring…or not. Therefore, go forth and “create great content.”
Analyze. Create. Achieve.