Hot Gossip > 3 Ways to Improve Your Marketing
In business you have a choice to make - to be distinct or extinct? Seth Godin, (author of 'The Purple Cow') says, “...businesses are either exceptional or invisible.” Tough words! However, the continual challenge your business or organisation faces to be noticed in the market place is a winning war. New and fresh marketing ideas that are acted upon hold the key to whether your business will be seen or simply ignored this year.
Here are 3 ways to help you stand out...
1. Ensure Your Marketing Material is Current
Do you have your website have out of date staff profiles? Have clients mentioned that your wesite doesn't mention current products or services they know you offer? These are all prime examples of missed opporunites that are simple to fix and would be helpful to clients and prospects.
2. Ensure You Say Something New
A new financial year offers you a great opportunity to put a fresh look to your brand and the way people view your business/ organisation. When was the last time you gave a 'coat of paint' to the 'look' of your business cards, brochures, website or vehicle signage?
It doesn't mean you have to change the entire branding, these elements can remain in tact. It maybe that you add more current and vibrant colours to your marketing material. Use of relevant photos that more reflect the business/ organisation you are now, (not were several years ago) are helpful.
Obviously if you have a new product or service you want to promote that is an excellent opportunity to say something new in a new way.
3. Ensure You Test and Measure
As you look back on the previous year's marketing efforts, what marketing material worked and what didn't work? If you are getting a good response, (sales, enquiries, feedback etc) from what you are doing, keep up the good work. However, if the phone isn't ringing, the emails are not coming in, web traffic is slow after you do a marketing campaign, its a sure sign that its time to change approach.
When you spend money on marketing you take a calculated risk - will it work or not? Whether it works or not, ensure you first test market what you plan to do and then measure the response. Failure to test and measure could leave you broke or not knowing where sales are generating from.
Also, a good way to assess what's working is to ask new clients, "so we can improve our marketing, where did you hear about us?"
Don't forget, distinct is better than being extinct!
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