Think Strategically: The Number One Small
Business Marketing Strategy
A business marketing
strategy requires the business owner think strategically not
tactically
When's the last time you did some
strategic thinking
about your business marketing strategy?
Many small businesses have a difficult time growing and
maintaining sales. This problem is often caused by a number of circumstances
and events that are out of their direct control. Many forces can be blamed
for tough times in a business, but the offender typically is the absence of
one element: a lack of a competitive business marketing strategy.
Most entrepreneurs have a basic understanding of the
importance of a small business marketing strategy. However, it’s safe to say
that a large majority of them don’t do the strategic thinking to create one
for their business.
Typically, these businesses do little marketing whatsoever
and claim, ‘I get all of my business from word of mouth.’ This is not a
strategy but a flimsy hope that clings to the value of one’s reputation. All
it takes is one unhappy customer with a bad experience who speaks poorly of
you to make business suffer.
To effectively market you must create and maintain a
variety of strategies. So, what is the number one small business marketing
strategy you must implement? Simply do something everyday to market your
business!
Developing the habit of working on your marketing each and
every day is the closest you can get to insuring small business success. It
can be as easy as brushing your teeth.
Here are some ways to develop the habit of marketing your
business:
1. Take a moment and think of how you can best market
your business in your current situation. This is basic strategic thinking.
2. Schedule one to two hours per day to work on your
strategic marketing plan and have the disciple to commit yourself to it.
3. Brainstorm your five
critical marketing strategy fundamentals and write them down. Take your
time and be thorough.
4. Next, create a list of marketing strategies that you
will execute and brainstorm for marketing ideas and tactics on a regular
basis to fulfill the strategy. You will be surprised how many great marketing activities you can
think up.
4. Keep track of your progress. Make a big chart of your
plan and activities and check them off as you go. There’s nothing like a
little accomplishment to keep you motivated.
5. Be a marketing sponge. Keep your eyes open to the
marketing strategies and tactics that other businesses are using. Don’t just
look in your industry, but pay attention and analyze other non-related
industries for ideas and inspiration.
6. Be persistent. Never give up. Even if you miss a few
days of working on your plan, go back and pick up where you left off. You
will need some days off to be productive on other issues and to recharge
your batteries.
7. Accept that failure will happen. Marketing is a
combination of art, science, and luck. Some of what you do will not work. It
isn’t the end of the world only an opportunity to learn from your mistakes.
There are thousands of different ways to market your
business. To be successful you must adopt the number one small business
marketing strategy – do something everyday to market your business. When you
do, you will see sales increase and your bank account grow.
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Developing a Marketing
Strategy |
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1.
Strategic Thinking
Many
small businesses take on any type of customer just to make a sale
and lose sight of the prospects that have the greatest potential.
They approach everyone equally and hope for the best. What’s wrong
with this? It's a poor tactical approach, not a sustainable growth
marketing strategy.
(more)
2.
Established Marketing Goals
If you
believe you can succeed, you will eventually succeed. When you have
a marketing strategy and clear set of
marketing goals
there will be little to stop you.
(more)
3.
Differentiating Factors
Being unique
in the marketplace is an imperative small business marketing strategy.
Uniqueness can be a make-or-break virtue in today’s hyperactive
business world. How do you set your small business apart?
(more)
4.
A
Clear Target
Creating
a small business marketing strategy requires you to become and expert
at
target marketing. The two things
you are always short on are time and money. When you miss your target
market you are wasting both.
(more)
5.
A Strong
Message
Marketing is all about communication. When you communicate well,
you make sales; if you cause confusion, you fail. It's that simple.
Creating a strategy for your marketing message is critical to your success.
(more)
6.
A Brand Identity
You
may think that as a small business you are not big enough to need
a
branding strategy. Nothing can
be further from the truth! Every business needs an identity that
is part of a focused marketing strategy.
(more)
7.
A Positioning Plan
All
business battles, large and small, are won and lost in the minds
of your clients and prospects. They decide what is in their best
interest and if your product will benefit them. The best you can
do is to position yourself with your marketing strategy to be the
best choice, lowest risk they have in their buying process.
(more)
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