Sure-fire marketing plan in eight easy steps
If you’re serious about getting the best value you can for your marketing budget, you’ll need to develop a marketing plan. Below we outline eight simple steps for making your marketing efforts more effective. 1. Know your customers Firstly, you need to identify your target market. You probably have an idea of who buys from […]
10 ways to build a competitive advantage
A competitive advantage is something that you offer or have that the competitor does not. There must be some compelling reasons for people to do business with you rather than with other businesses. The need to identify your point of difference is important. The more similar your business is to many others, the greater your […]
Testing the market before taking the plunge
Coming up with new ideas for your business is essential for growth. And it’s exciting when you’ve got a new product or service to offer. But before you launch your new offering, it’s important to find out if there’ll be a demand for it. So you need to take some time to test the market […]
Use focus groups to understand your customer
Two examples of this effective technique show you how you can set up your own focus groups. The concept of focus groups simply involves gathering a few your target market customers together, and then putting a series of questions to them. It’s best to get an outside person to conduct this type of research, because […]
Ways to identify new markets and customers
If you want to grow your business, you’ll need a strategic plan – which should include how you’ll find new customers and get your products or services into new markets. Here’s what you need to know to identify new customers and markets. Finding new customers in existing markets Profile your existing customer base to re-establish […]
Gain customer loyalty and keep your regulars for life
Long-standing customers form the backbone of a strong, well-established business. Make it your mission to ensure that the vast majority of your current customers stay with your business for many years to come. Why it’s vital to keep existing customers Your current customers already have personal experiences of dealing with your business and using its […]
How to accurately forecast sales
Start-ups are at a disadvantage when it comes to their first sales forecast because, clearly, they don’t have any historical data to base it on. But there are still ways to create an accurate sales forecast, and it’s important to do so because it’ll help you work out if your business idea is financially viable. […]
Testsyndicate
If potential customers can see that your trade business is trustworthy, they’ll be encouraged to try your products or services for themselves. We look at some ways to build credibility in your business. Become involved in your local community You, your business partners, and your employees are the faces of your business. If potential customers […]
Improving the effectiveness of your advertising
As a small business owner, you’ll want to get positive returns on a limited marketing budget. It’s important to monitor the quantity and quality of advertising in order to be as effective as possible. Choose advertising you can monitor It’s impossible to measure the exact returns from investing in building your brand. A familiar saying […]
Ten marketing priorities when you start your business
1. Build credibility quickly Why should people buy from a new business? Your first challenge is to overcome their doubts by building trust and credibility quickly. Some tips: Promote your skills and experience, plus those of your staff and associates. Join your industry or professional organization and start building a profile. Commission a writer to […]