It’s Spring-time and every entrepreneur has an extra bounce in their step – eager to get out and get sales, but how DO you get sales? Just because it’s Spring and everything is growing and blossoming, it doesn’t mean sales are going to grow out of no where for you!
A strong and defined marketing strategy will help tremendously.
There is one problem though: there are so many options out there in the marketing mix toolbox for small-business owners – quite different from say, 15 years ago. Concepts today like social-media didn’t exist and the message back then was typically one-way, no interaction, no exchange. In today’s marketing mix tool-box, there are so many options and I can appreciate how overwhelmed other small-business owners can get.
But here’s the not-so-secret answer…ready…drum roll, please…
Focus.
Ta-da! I know, you’ve heard this before but its reality.
What I love about small-business owners and entrepreneurs is that they have so much passion and drive. Ironically enough, this is also a detriment to their success because they want to do everything!
So when it comes to marketing their business they try everything and for a small business owner, budget and time is very scarce, so this is not the best approach to a marketing strategy.
Generally speaking, doing nothing is not an option, so, try something; start testing different marketing channels.
Once you’ve decided to stop trying every marketing channel where you think your customer is, consider this when creating a focused marketing strategy:
1. Just Ask
Ask a few of your existing clients, and get feedback from them on a marketing channel they find effective. When you’ve got some feedback and you’ve used some of your own insights, create a list of options.
2. Budget & Time
Once you’ve created a list, you should prioritize (usually, based on money and time). Most strategies and plans are very robust in theory but they fail because of poor implementation. So, be sure you have the time and know-how to execute your plan– [insert – good time to contact Reality Business Consulting].
3. Set a Goal
I know the ultimate goal is sales but be more specific, what are you trying to achieve? Increase newsletter subscriptions? More visits to your website? More in-person consultations? Break it down to simple, small-wins. Get these objectives right and you will increase sales.
4. Measure Your Results.
This is a MUST. A successful marketing strategy has a strong metrics component to it. You must also monitor it because you’ll need to make decisions on tweaking the plan if it isn’t working or perhaps even scaling it to a larger degree because it’s going well.
5. Focus
Back to focus again. Try the 2 or 3 strategies you’ve listed and give them time to work. While you are monitoring the strategy (see 4), you will be able decide whether or not a strategy is working. If not, then change it. Don’t fret. No one is perfect – strategies will fail.
It really is about focus. You can’t do everything, so try and do the right thing: what gives you the most benefit per unit of resources, what aligns you best with your target market and your focused business offering.
Be a marketer. Be Real.
Reality Business Consulting (RBC) (www.realityconsulting.ca) is a Toronto-based Marketing and Website Design and Development company dedicated to helping small business grow. We do this by providing insightful marketing and sales knowledge, planning, execution and website design and development, on a small business budget. The foundation of our success lies in our strong business acumen and our ability to listen to and understand the needs of our clients, translating their ideas into a concrete plan of action; ultimately, delivering profitable results for them.
If you are searching for a professional and customer-focused marketing company with extensive work in website design and development located in Toronto, contact us for a “Reality Check; a no-obligation, no-charge consultation of your business.