Marketing Tips:  Does free publicity work to get customers? 

Most companies prefer not to spend too much on their advertising these days as it is one of the few things that they are unable to quantify the return on using it.   Alright you may be able to draw more people in through an advertising campaign just carried out.   But just how many of these were motivated to do so by your marketing or happened to stumble across your business?

In fact it can prove difficult making sense of any marketing returns and unless you are assured that the technique you use will work then it is unwise to commit too much money to such a project.  There are several marketing tips highlighted below.

So what is the solution?  Are you able to advertise for free?   To some extent the answer to this question is yes.   Of course you don’t need to spend money advertising your business, but it does make things a lot easier when you do.   For those who would like to be able to advertise their business without spending too much then it is important to have a good marketing strategy in place.

You can use word of mouth marketing in which you get members of staff to sell your business to friends and family.   But of course the problem with this is that these people may already be customers because they are being loyal to their friends.   Another way to get your business in the public eye is through participating in events in your community wearing something with your company’s logo on it.  But this is a real hit and miss strategy to use at the best of times.  People may see your prom0tional pen or shirt but are they going to run right home and call you or even remember you in 5 minutes?  Probably not.

When you want to market yourself without spending too much then the best way would be probably to show your value to the community through offering deals especially for schools and offices allowing you to show your community spirit.   Although it may end up costing you money it is will prove to be a very sound marketing strategy if it helps to create new business for your company.

Remember your T.E. S.T.

The best method to generate buzz about your business involves several key components.  Your  marketing must be targeted, effective, systematic and trackable.

Targeted: Define your marketing directly to your specific niche of people you do business with or want to do business with.  For example if you sell insurance and annuities, target people that have are middle aged and have disposable income.  It would be a waste of time to try to sell life insurance to college kids.

Effective: How effective is an advertisement that is broadcast every 15 minutes to everyone under the sun.  An advertisement will not be effective  if you first have not defined and determined your ideal prospect and customer.  It is better to cater to a few than the masses.

Systematic:

• What are the logical steps to your marketing plan.
• Do you have a large circular pattern of targeting a specific demographic 10 times in one month or very specific candidates throughout a zip code.
• How often are you contacting your prospects with your marketing message,  1 time or 1 time a month for 10 months?
• How often do you follow up with leads.  68% of sales reps do not follow up with their leads, are you one of them?

Trackable:  Is your marketing trackable?  How do you know which marketing pulls the best response rate?  Which marketing piece brings you leads and sales and which ones don’t.

All marketing must be trackable.  If it not trackable, how do you know which marketing is successful and which is not?  We have systems that can tell you with pin point accuracy which marketing is working and which is not.  Contact us to discuss your marketing plans now.