Marketing 101 – Part 1: Laying The Foundation
MARKETING is a perpetual cycle that includes EVERYTHING YOU DO to promote your business. It’s what you do from the time you have that “aha” moment of concept (the idea) – to the point you have customers and clients doing business with you on a regular basis. It’s everything, and I mean EVERYTHING you do consistently to promote your business and build trust. I like to think about marketing in terms of “image building” – value, character and exposure: keeping your name at the top of people’s minds, so when they need you, they’ll remember what you do and they call.
The What, Why, When, Where, Who & How’s Of Marketing and Positioning
- What do you want to do?
- Why you want to do it?
- When is your business going to launch?
- Where are you going to find potential clients or customers?
- Who’s your target audience?
- Why do they need your product or service?
- How are you going to market & promote your business?
Marketing Also Includes:
- A memorable business name
- What you’re selling – a product or service – or both
- Manufacturing process, distribution and/or servicing
- Brand positioning
Design & creation of your corporate and/or personal brand, ie:
- Letterhead, Envelopes & Business Cards
- Outdoor & Indoor signage
- Vehicles, sleet design
- Interior & exterior design
- Packaging design and collateral
- Online presence: website, blogs, advertising & promotion
- Social Media Presence: reputation, and management
- Advertising and public relations
Internal marketing:
- Training and presentations
- Handling telephone inquiries
- Creative problem solving
- Measurement
- Growth plan
- Referral plan
- Follow-up, and so much more
Marketing can really be a very complex process journey to revenue generation and it requires attention on a consistent basis. The cycle starts with the concept and goes full-circle when you have repeat and referral business – and trust.
Questions or comments welcome below! I respond to all communication!
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