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1. HAVE A MARKETING PLAN
Because, quite frankly, failing to plan is planning to fail! Something as simple a series of bullet points of action points for each month will focus many businesses. We can assist you with this process if you require.
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2. UPDATE YOUR WEBSITE, AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH
It’s a time-consuming task to keep your website up to date with fresh new content – trust us, we know! But it is the shop front of your business and an important part of any business' marketing mix. You wouldn’t want to walk into a store with an unkempt shop front, it’s the same for all businesses. Regular content updates will also assist in improving those all important search engine rankings.
3. UPDATE YOUR SKILLS
It can be hard to keep your skills up to date when you have a business to run, staff to manage and a family to take care of, and often it’s the last thing on your mind to up date your own professional skills, but it helps to keep the mind fresh as well as an opportunity to meet new people!
4. DON’T DISCOUNT IN 2011
Unless you need to clear out old stock, odd quantities, sizes and colours, new designs: don't discount. Great businesses are built on longevity, and entering a price war is to reduce the life of your business. Indicators suggest that loyal customers would rather buy a brand – the right product, at the right price, backed by the right experience.
5. INVITE ONE PERSON TO LUNCH EACH MONTH
Think about areas in your business and personal life you may need help with and who may be able to assist you. Invite someone different to lunch each month, take notes and most importantly listen.
6. I.P. YOUR LOGO
If you haven’t already done so, 2011 is your time! It’s important to own your brand and to prevent others from using it; there are some horror stories out there on brand theft! Protect your brand it's your business' most important asset.
7. CONTINUE READING MARKETING LIFELINE
...Couldn’t help myself.
Who needs B2B Advertising?
When it comes to B2B and advertising we know two things:
- Advertising is a poor substitute for personal selling. But is an excellent means to pave the way for personal selling.
- Only spend money on advertising which you can afford to lose.
Advertising does work, but what does it do? At the very least, advertising that is compelling, memorable and relevant will build your brand.
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Here is a list of results advertising has generated for those that have used it:
- Position the business as a leader in the market.
- Build the brand in order to own something specific in the market.
- Support salespeople, making them look like winners.
- Support salespeople who are afraid of cold calling.
- Reduce the number of steps required in the sales process.
- Make the business attractive to potential quality employees.
- Reach a huge number of people quickly with a specific message, and
- Pound into the market a specific message: your USP.
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Advertising is an excellent way to inflate the value and importance of your business and it’s difficult to put a dollar value on that.
Advertising is a concoction of science and creativity
You reach X amount of people and gain X amount of responses. However there are a number of other factors at play, such as: how much demand is there for your product? The fact is; by advertising you are reaching a lot of people and telling them exactly what you want them to hear. The key is to manage your expectations. For example; you advertise with the expectation that you’ll gain new clients, when the reality is you may only get a few enquiries.
The key strength with B2B...
...is the fact that people within a specific sector share similarities. Therefore a B2B magazine that caters to a specific interest stands a good chance of reaching your target audience. These magazines are up-to-date with what’s going on in the industry, stimulate ideas and speak with authority within that industry, when you advertise in B2B magazines, those ideals are reflected back onto your brand and business.
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