If there is one thing I’ve learned from my years as a marketer, it’s that marketing will never be a one-size-fits-all type of solution. Every business is different. While one marketing plan can bring one business a tremendous amount of success, that same plan may generate no results for another. What does this mean? It means that an effective marketing plan must be tailored to the business it’s looking to support. More often than not, business owners rely on … [Read more...]
Knowing Your Game Player Can Be Your Game Changer
Gamification capitalizes on the theory that we thrive on the thrill of competition. So if you’ve been hearing this buzzword being knocked around lately, you may be part of the 70% of organizations that plan to have at least one gamification application by year-end 2014. This trendy application of game design to business environments has been spreading like wildfire, and corporate decision makers are quick to pick it up with lucid dreams of boosting … [Read more...]
12 Marketing Resolutions You Should Commit To in 2014
It’s the turn of the new year. With 2014 just around the corner, it’s time to finish wrapping up your 2013 marketing campaigns and to begin thinking about your 2014 goals. With marketing’s dynamic pace and ever-changing environment, what may work well in 2014 may be entirely different in 2014. Here’s 14 new marketing resolutions that will help you really develop your marketing playbook. I will devote a small portion of my time to learn and develop my … [Read more...]
The Makings Of An Unforgettable Brand
A singular truth about business in the modern age is that there is almost nothing that your competitors can’t duplicate. Your methods, your products, or even your business model… if you have a great idea, you can be sure that somewhere down the road somebody will try to copy it. And not only will they follow your lead, but they may even do a better job at it than you or sell it at a lower price. How then, can small businesses have a competitive edge that makes … [Read more...]
7 Spooktacular Ideas SMBs Can Use to Generate Buzz During Halloween
With halloween less than 24 hours away, it is the perfect opportunity to create marketing campaigns around this thrilling, fright-filled holiday. Don't be a zombie by letting this opportunity pass (although a zombie costume is a great costume idea). Create clever promotional campaigns by getting your customers and employees in the halloween spirit. So why not have some fun with your small business? Spook up your company logo It can be as simple as … [Read more...]
Is Your Business Referable?
Given the volatility in the market and the number of cautious clients, it is now more important than ever to strengthen your existing client relationships and make it easier for your clients to recognize your value and refer you to others. 80 percent of clients would be willing to refer a business. Yet only 20 percent of clients are actively asked for referrals. There seems to be an enormous opportunity that businesses are missing out on. Clients are open to … [Read more...]
Four Mantras for Clearing the Social Media Fog
More and more companies are now turning to social media to advocate their business and connect with customers. In fact, there are over 9 million small businesses that have accounts on Facebook, the most popular social network for building brand awareness. It is increasingly apparent that social media is becoming a necessary marketing tool for small businesses; however, many of them are not realizing the brand-boosting potential of this medium. According to a … [Read more...]
Referral Generation Best Practices
Business referrals are a valuable method of receiving new customers and hot leads. Market research indicates that referral business closes and converts more than 60% of the time1. However, collecting referrals can be easier said than done. Here are 5 best practices to help you better utilize this powerful tool. Focus on Customer Benefits Even if someone is your company’s biggest fan, it could be difficult to convince them to take time out of their day to … [Read more...]
The Untapped Value of Business Referrals
In an informal survey from 2010, nearly 80% of small business owners admitted they had no system of any kind to generate referrals1; a jarring figure, given the overwhelming evidence of the effectiveness of sales referrals. Market research indicates that referral business closes and converts more than 60% of the time 2, demonstrating the value to be gained by investing in a tool that facilitates this underexploited source of sales. Why are Referrals so … [Read more...]