When putting up a business, it’s important to set goals for a number of good reasons.
One, reaching your goals is tantamount to realizing the financial purpose of your business. Two, achieved goals remind you where you started in the market and determine where you currently stand. Lastly, your goals will keep you motivated to push through with your business.
However, it is also equally important to determine how you will reach these goals. An effective way to kick your business off is to devise a marketing strategy. You can stick to one method or you can employ a lot of them as long as you customize it to the needs of your business.
Marketing Strategy Defined
Before you start learning the techniques, you have to make sure that you know what a marketing strategy really means.
A marketing strategy is essential because it serves as the groundwork of how you plan to achieve your business goals within a certain period of time.
Your marketing strategy should contain your objectives, plans of action, and your budget. While it is all right to experiment with different methods, it is important that you back them up with research and data.
Ideally, you should figure out your marketing strategies at the early phases of your business planning. While you do not necessarily have to write it down, having your marketing strategy clearly laid out will help you communicate it to others, such as your employees, your bank, and your business partners.
What to Do Next
If you’re not sure what else to do to make an impact on your market, or if you’re looking for more ways to sustain a good reputation, here are a number of effective tactics you can incorporate in your marketing strategy.
Communicate with your customers.
As an entrepreneur, among the many pieces of advice you will be getting a lot is to determine who your audience is.
Assuming that you already know who you are selling your products to, the next step is to make sure you maintain a harmonious relationship with them by communicating consistently. Whether you decide to do it through snail mail, phone calls, or emails, make sure that you keep in touch with your customers.
Care for your customers
People appreciate it when you remember the intimate details of their lives, such as birth dates, anniversaries, and other important events. You can earn more good will and possibly more customers when you pay attention to what your existing patrons think is special.
Send them a card or write them a personalized email to remind them that you too are celebrating their cherished events.
Make media tell your story
One guaranteed way of putting the spotlight on your product and attracting potential customers is by employing the powers of people from public relations.
You can choose from television, radio, print and online ads. But if you prefer to launch a full-blown campaign, by all means, use all of these options. Just make sure that you take into account what your audience would like to see and that your brand’s message is established in them.
Are you making the most of the internet and social media?
The up and coming trend of online shopping is enough of a reason to create an awesome website for your business, and to engage in social media. In fact, many people nowadays check the Internet first for product reviews before actually making purchases.
Therefore, establish for your business an active online presence by consistently posting quality content on your website, as well as participating in discussions within your social networking accounts.
Express your gratitude
One of the ways you’ll know your marketing strategies are working is when your customers begin recommending you to their friends. Since this can greatly improve your business’ reputation, you owe it to your customers to show how grateful you are.
You can show them appreciation by giving a rebate on their next purchase or a gift card perhaps. By doing this, you can be sure that they will continue to patronize and endorse you to their networks.
The next time you sit down with your subordinates for the next strategy brainstorming session, integrate these five methods and you’re sure to achieve the impression you’ve been aiming for. If you want to share your own tried-and-tested tips, take the liberty of writing your comment below.
Author: Lionel Luigi Lopez is a business writer, entrepreneur and a musician. He is also an active blogger and marketing strategist. He runs a small business in Manila and is still active in music.