Marketing
Before we can get into a detailed description of how you are going to market your business, we need to define marketing and advertising. Too many people lump them in the same categories, or interchange them, when in fact, they are two uniquely different entities.
Marketing is the process of teaching consumers why they should choose your product or service over your competitors. If you are not doing that, you are not marketing. It’s that simple! The key is finding the right marketing method and defining the right marketing message to use to educate and influence your consumers.
Companies make the mistake of thinking that marketing is just “one” thing, but marketing is everything that the consumer encounters when it comes to your business, from advertising, what they hear, the customer service that they receive, to the follow-up care that you provide. Your marketing is the business of promoting, selling, and distributing of your product or service.
By contrast, advertising is the activity of attracting public attention to a product or service. The actual dictionary definition goes on to say that advertising occurs by means of paid announcements in the print, broadcast, or electronic media. I disagree with the limitations implied here because you can get a lot of advertising that you don’t have to pay for.
Marketing is often confused with advertising and sales, but it is important to know the key differences. These articles will give you a better understanding of marketing, more importantly, give you great ideas and techniques to super-charge your marketing.
 |
Planning the Perfect Sales PitchWhy it is important? What do you need? What are the steps? Now you may be thinking that you work by yourself, or you only have a few employees in a store, or you are a star salesman in a mega-salesforce, That you don’t need to or it has already been done. But when is good, good enough? We must always try to improve, always learn, and always be open to new ideas. Being open is the foundation of success. |
 |
What Do You Need A Website ForTo WEB or not to WEB That is not even a question today, if you don’t have a website you don’t exist. Your website is the window to the world seven days a week, 4 weeks a month, and 52 weeks a year. Often, it is the first thing a person will look at before they come to visit you. Yes, I use the word visit, because a prospective customers is a friend you haven’t met yet and before they buy from you they need to trust you. Bottom line, if they don’t like your look on the website they won’t come in. |
 |
What To Write In A Press ReleaseIn business, Those who have the best story wins – always! Think about it? The best books, movies, songs, plays, or ballets are those that tell a great story. They captivate their audience and move them to an emotion of some sort. Isn’t that what you want to do with your press release, capture attention and move your audience to some sort of action? |
 |
Developing Centers of InfluenceIf I told you that the essence of business is building long-term, mutually-beneficial relationships, you'd say that this was nothing new; you've heard it a hundred times before. But if I asked you what your plan was to build these relationships I'll bet most of you would draw a blank. Sadly, most business relationships just happen, they are not built intentionally and systematically. Your development and implementation of a relationship-building strategy based on centers of influence marketing is not only important, it is the key to ongoing success. Learn more here ... |
 |
What Is An Effective Advertising Strategy?How do you determine what is going to work or not work? What do you really need to know to make your advertising strategy work successfully? There no accidents or lucky breaks when it comes to creating your advertising. It takes what I call the four “A’s”. |
 |
Where to Find a Cash Windfall of $10,000 to $1,000,000No matter where you are on the success continuum, your ability to generate tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars in immediate windfall income is well within your reach. I know firsthand, because everyday, I am paid handsomely to do just that by my clients and associates. |
 |
The Secrets of Public RelationsPublic Relations involves a variety of programs designed to maintain or enhance a company's image and the products and services it offers. Successful implementation of an effective public relations strategy can be a critical component to a marketing plan. |
 |
Essential Contents of a Marketing PlanEvery marketing plan must fit your needs and situation. Even so, there are standard components you just can't do without. A marketing plan should always have a situation analysis, marketing strategy, sales forecast, and expense budget. Read more... |
 |
Network Your Way To SuccessOne of the best ways to build your business when you are just starting out is by networking. Investopedia defines networking is a process that fosters the exchange of information and ideas among individuals or groups that share a common interest. It may be for social or business purposes. Professionals connect their business network through a series of symbolic ties and contacts. Here are the secrets to successful networking. Read on... |
 |
Enlightened AIDA MarketingAIDA = tried but true, the famous formula that makes your ads, your advertising literature, your marketing work. |
 |
Business Cards - Your First Step to SuccessBusiness Cards are one of the most overlooked marketing areas that we have today. My wife and I went to a Mastermind Entrepreneurial Summit this last weekend in Anaheim, California and I was amazed at how many people who attended, who didn’t have a business card. A business card is an integral part of any good marketing plan. For its size and cost, it's probably the most powerful part. |
 |
The Psychology of Colour and Your BusinessAccording to Martin Christie of Logo Design, London; “Understanding the psychology of colours is vital to designing an effective logo.” In fact, choosing the right colours for your business and subsequent forms of advertising are essential. The aesthetic of your product and its labeling can have a huge impact on sales. |