Quick question: What’s your marketing budget? If you’re like many small business owners I’ve talked with, you might not have an answer. I know marketing budgets aren’t super sexy – but they are DIRECTLY CORRELATED to your business growth. Consider these numbers: Companies that grew 1-15% year over year spent an average of 16.5% of their revenue...
Remember being a kid, and asking for something you wanted? It would often deem the response, “If you say the magic word!” Wouldn’t it be cool if marketing worked the same way? What if there were magic words that could convert every single prospect into a lead or sale, no questions asked? While there is...
One thing that isn’t talked about enough is ensuring that your marketing works. I don’t know if maybe it’s because the topic is boring, but it is a little alarming how much it isn’t discussed. I’m sure you’ve been there in the board room or even with just some friends, talking about some amazing marketing...
While direct mail marketing can be cost intensive, it can produce spectacular results. As a small-business owner, when you plan and execute a direct mail campaign, don’t forget the most important part: measuring your results. It can be easy to get completely focused on the content you’re sending and the list you are using. However,...
Small business marketing pitfalls… and how to sidestep them for better business results Want to know what the big secret is to a successful business? You’re probably not going to like it… Marketing—and LOTS of it. But marketing by itself isn’t enough. You have to market well… For over 15 years, my business has worked with 66,706...
Why public relations is important for building your business… and how to determine how well your PR efforts work for you Many entrepreneurs building a new business chose to focus a lot of energy on public relations efforts – because everyone knows that good PR coverage can really help jump-start a new business. And with cash-strapped...
Strategies to put tracking and measurements in place to determine marketing return on investment Measuring ROI (return on investment) for your small business can be a big challenge, but it’s critically important when evaluating the success of your marketing efforts. You want a deep understanding of what is working and what is falling short to...
Simple strategies to create marketing plan tactics that deliver a consistent return on investment There is a secret to “marketing plans” that most people fail to discover in their business lifetime. Are you ready for it? Hold on to your hat… Marketing plans don’t have to be complicated. GASP! Say it ain’t so (exclaim the peddlers of...
Reviewing a previous year’s marketing goals and accomplishments is the first step to preparing a new annual plan with realistic goals and objectives. Many businesses start off a new year going full speed ahead with a new annual marketing plan without ever reviewing what worked or didn’t work from the previous year. If you never...
Strategies to help make direct mail marketing campaigns a more cost-effective investment that produces a better ROI for your business When was the last time you checked your mailbox? If the answer is, “I don’t remember,” you might be forgetting a major marketing opportunity. In our increasingly digital world, direct mail campaigns are still an...