IS there a difference between sales and marketing? A question for the ages; just like, “Do Canada Geese really fly south for the winter? Yes. There is a major difference between sales and marketing (and “yes”, Canada Geese DO fly south in the winter!) The problem is, this debate is always … [Read more...]
Zero-Moment-of-Truth
What is mobile responsive web design? An opportunity or trend? … [Read more...]
What is Market Segmentation – Marketing to Millenials
I have discussed and shared on several occasions the importance of target-marketing and its impact on a successful marketing strategy. Market segmentation can help you achieve even stronger results. What is market segmentation? Well, the more you understand who your target market is, the more … [Read more...]
Pitch a Strike and Get Free Media Coverage
On Thursday November 22, I attended the Globe & Mail Small Business Summit at the MaRS Discovery District - http://toronto.smallbusiness-summit.ca/ . It was a great day full of insight and networking, I would recommend you attend next year. Often, I’m asked by small business owners on how to … [Read more...]
Branded Content: Hail to the King?
If content is “KING”? Then marketing must be “QUEEN”! But who is heir to the content-throne? Well, according to Marketing Magazine, branded-content is. What is Branded-Content? Branded content is not a new marketing concept. It is essentially a fusion between advertising and entertainment. … [Read more...]
INFOGRAPHIC – Bridging the Gap; Online and Offline Marketing
I often talk about not ignoring traditional marketing channels but rather, to integrate them with online channels. This is a great Infographic to illustrate my point. Real Growth for Real Business. Reality Business Consulting (www.realityconsulting.ca) is a Toronto … [Read more...]
Create a Golden Subject Line For Your Email Marketing
According to MarketingSherpa’s 2012 Email Marketing Benchmark Report, 67% of organizations plan on increasing email budget in 2012. Email marketing continues to prove it is an effective marketing tool…when used appropriately. Your goal is to get the recipient to open AND respond to the email. One … [Read more...]
Selling With Personality to Help Grow Your Small Business
I came out of a networking session with some entrepreneurs the other day and I was surprised at their “selling approaches”. I would “break the ice” by introducing myself and then telling them: “I’m in the market for [insert their product], why should I buy from you?” When I say surprised, I mean, … [Read more...]
5 Tips for Presenting an Idea to Grow Your Small Business
What makes an entrepreneur successful? That's a loaded question but in my experience there is one trait that sticks out; the successful entrpreneur is always looking for problems (i.e. gaps) to solve (i.e fill). If you are a true entrepreneur, you probably come up with about half-a-dozen ideas per … [Read more...]
5-Fantastic Tips to a Successful Elevator Pitch for Your Small Business
Picture this…you’re a small business owner and you’re the only one waiting for an elevator in the lobby of a building, the door opens, you enter the elevator and then…Mr. Rufus shows up! Who’s Mr. Rufus? Well, he represents your biggest potential client. If Mr. Rufus buys what you’re selling, it … [Read more...]