[MarkTaylor68]

Five Simple and Effective Marketing TipsSo, in times of recession when everyone is looking to reduce spend, keep their credit tight and find cheaper alternatives for almost everything, how can you keep your company firmly on your customers’ radar?My own experience as an entrepreneur and advisor is that effective marketing needn't be complicated or expensive. In fact, the golden rules are to keep your product offering clear, simple, consistent and relevant. All this really implies is that it is important to consider your audience before communicating with them. And in times of recession, cost conscious methods save you money and may well be appreciated by your customers.Sometimes the easiest methods work the best:

1. Simple leaflets through local household and business mailboxes: list your key products and company details carefully and a simple and effective proposition, eg: '10% discount to local customers' - show that you value them and their custom. I would recommend the 10,000 nearest households and plan to hit them a couple of times a year. It's time-consuming and most leaflets go in the trash, but those that don't can become both regular customers and advocates of your business. It’s also easy to measure the effectiveness by monitoring redemptions – you’ll soon find out which offers pay off best and which geographic areas are most responsive.

2. Free demonstrations at local events: sports days, community activities, anything where people gather (hand out your leaflets to all and sundry). This is a great opportunity to look your customer in the eye and send out a confident and clear message about your products, your business and yourself.

3. Personal contact and networking. People buy from people and it's great (even though initially a little scary) to get along to events at the Chamber of Commerce and other business events to promote your business. You don't need to go overboard, just a simple pitch will do (and remember others may be a little nervous too so will admire your pluck!) This could be a good way to get into the corporate market.

4. Something ambient: this is your chance to be a bit clever and imaginative. Personally, I think a well designed fridge magnet is great to get people to keep your details close at hand and create an impression of your business as being novel and innovative. I guess I would suggest handing these out door-to-door, together with the leaflet and a brief personal intro (I really think the personal touch works)

5. Something to retain customers. Remember it's more expensive (and harder) to attract new customers than to retain existing ones. Make sure they are kept happy by i) remembering personal details; ii) offering special offers for new treatments or introducing new customers, iii) Christmas cards, a glass of wine around special occasions - simple expedients for a happier customer. Also, don't forget to ask. Sometimes just asking people if they would like a sailing trip or lessons may be effective. As well as asking your customers if they would like to book again or if they can recommend you to friends. Satisfied customers will help want to help you if they can.

The following is a simple framework to help you generate further ideas...
Direct - advertising, 1-2-1 pitches, flyers, etc.
Indirect - who else shares my customers? How can I collaborate with them?
Networking - chamber of commerce, trade shows, etc.
e-business - how can the internet help. Brochureware? Social Networking?

I call it the DINe model for obvious reasons and it’s useful to get key colleagues, associates and even friends involved in the creative process of coming up with new ideas. Because when it comes to effective marketing, your imagination, not your budget, is your greatest asset.I’d be glad to hear other views on this.

Best wishes,

Mark.
http://www.eriskay-associates.co.uk/seriousStartup.html
http://www.eriskay-associates.co.uk/seriousGrowth.html

[Indizine]

Mark, thne problem with this post is that it is hard to read but moreso, its repeating information already posted on the internet here.

You would be best off just putting some original wording here and giving a link as Ive done above instead of cut and pasting duplicate content.

[IP2]

Agreed...took one look and skipped it!

[MarkTaylor68]

Hi again,

Thanks for the feedback on this article. I'm a bit of a novice to discussion forums but I'll figure out how to link back to avoid duplication.

Regards,

Mark.

[Indizine]

All you do is this:

type the word i.e. See here

then highlight the word with your cursor and click on the icon above with the globe and link, add in the full Url and press ok and bingo, there is your link.

Idesally though, rather than sending people to view this on another site, link it back to the relevant page on your own website. If they like what they read there, they will browse around the rest of your website.

Adding large chunks of text here is really hard to read. Perhaps Say here is Tip No.1 and to read the other 4 go to.. and do as ive said above with the link.

Then check your web stats once a week to see how many click throughs to your own site from A1