Let me assure you though that marketing is easy… IF you have a plan.

The best plans are written down in a notebook, or maybe they’re on your computer. Even a scrap of paper will do. But studies show when you write things down, you’re more likely to succeed.

Sometimes new business owners are wary of any talk about marketing because they think marketing must be expensive. Yet can you afford not to market your company? And usually they’re thinking of advertising rather than marketing. Although many think so, the two terms are not synonymous. Advertising is merely one form of marketing.

Here’s a few.

• It all starts with image (and yes, image is part of marketing as is pretty much everything you say and do). To show the world a professional image, consider the impact of having everything that represents your company match perfectly – be it business cards, brochures, and your web site to name a few.
• The single-most affordable marketing strategy is networking and requests for referral. In fact, not only is it the most affordable, it’s also the most effective. A client coming to your through a referral is likely interested in your product or services 60% of the time. You simply can’t beat that.
• Direct mail is an excellent strategy for reaching your target market one-on-one. Direct mail works for both business-to-business and consumer markets. And while writing for both markets has certain aspects in common, there’s also important differences when copywriting for the two.


• If your town has bulletin boards or storefronts that allow it (most do if you look hard enough), post a notice free of charge. The only cost bulletin board notices have is your time.
• Join your local business groups and offer to speak during their next meeting. Although public speaking is one of our most common fears, speaking to a group quickly establishes expert status.
• Find a business that offers complementary services to yours and split the costs of your both your marketing. For example, if you own a graphic design business, join forces with a printer.
• I can’t end this discussion without mentioning web sites. There is no other way to reach as many people at the same time (except maybe advertising, but advertising o
  Advertising That Annoys: The Real Story
  Critics conclude that entertaining or “creative” commercials sell better than those that are bland. But liking the commercial may not really be that important in the scheme of things. It all depends on the needs and preferences, motivation and financial reservations of the customer. The question isn't whether people like the advertisement or not, it’s whether the advertisement
  succeed.

  Sometimes new business owners are wary of any talk about marketing because they think marketing must be expensive. Yet can you afford not to market your company? And usually they’re thinking of advertising rather than marketing. Although many think so, the two terms are not synonymous. Advertising is merely one form of marketing.

  Here’s a few.

  • It all starts with image (and yes, image is part of marketing as is pretty much everything you say and do). To show the world a professional image, consider the impact of having everything that represents your company match perfectly – be it business cards, brochures, and your web site to name a few.
  • The single-most affordable marketing strategy is networking and requests for referral. In fact, not only is it the most affordable, it’s also the most effective. A client coming to your through a referral is likely interested in your product or services 60% of the time. You simply can’t beat that.
  • Direct mail is an excellent strategy for reaching your target market one-on-one. Direct mail works for both business-to-business and consumer markets. And while writing for both markets has certain aspects in common, there’s also important differences when copywriting for the two.
  
  
  • If your town has bulletin boards or storefronts that allow it (most do if you look hard enough), post a notice free of charge. The only cost bulletin board notices have is your time.
  • Join your local business groups and offer to speak during their next meeting. Although public speaking is one of our most common fears, speaking to a group quickly establishes expert status.
  • Find a business that offers complementary services to yours and split the costs of your both your marketing. For example, if you own a graphic design business, join forces with a printer.
  • I can’t end this discussion without mentioning web sites. There is no other way to reach as many people at the same time (except maybe advertising, but advertising
    Get A Head Start In Negotiations
    If you want to start negotiations in a winning position, then you need to prepare like a tiger. That means you must pay attention to 7 crucial areas.1. Check Whether You're In A Negotiating Situation. A negotiating situation exists when you are in any communication or problem-solving situation with others that can work out to your advantage. If there is no advantage
    a professional image, consider the impact of having everything that represents your company match perfectly – be it business cards, brochures, and your web site to name a few.
  • The single-most affordable marketing strategy is networking and requests for referral. In fact, not only is it the most affordable, it’s also the most effective. A client coming to your through a referral is likely interested in your product or services 60% of the time. You simply can’t beat that.
  • Direct mail is an excellent strategy for reaching your target market one-on-one. Direct mail works for both business-to-business and consumer markets. And while writing for both markets has certain aspects in common, there’s also important differences when copywriting for the two.
  
  
  • If your town has bulletin boards or storefronts that allow it (most do if you look hard enough), post a notice free of charge. The only cost bulletin board notices have is your time.
  • Join your local business groups and offer to speak during their next meeting. Although public speaking is one of our most common fears, speaking to a group quickly establishes expert status.
  • Find a business that offers complementary services to yours and split the costs of your both your marketing. For example, if you own a graphic design business, join forces with a printer.
  • I can’t end this discussion without mentioning web sites. There is no other way to reach as many people at the same time (except maybe advertising, but advertising
    It's the Results that Count
    The way we work and the results we achieve are important. It's important to focus on outcomes but not to the exclusion of other considerations.Your personal role in achieving the outcome and how you conduct yourself are important. If you can adopt this mindset in the way you operate there are a number of contributions which will flow from your attitude.Listen to the
    xcellent strategy for reaching your target market one-on-one. Direct mail works for both business-to-business and consumer markets. And while writing for both markets has certain aspects in common, there’s also important differences when copywriting for the two.
  
  
  • If your town has bulletin boards or storefronts that allow it (most do if you look hard enough), post a notice free of charge. The only cost bulletin board notices have is your time.
  • Join your local business groups and offer to speak during their next meeting. Although public speaking is one of our most common fears, speaking to a group quickly establishes expert status.
  • Find a business that offers complementary services to yours and split the costs of your both your marketing. For example, if you own a graphic design business, join forces with a printer.
  • I can’t end this discussion without mentioning web sites. There is no other way to reach as many people at the same time (except maybe advertising, but advertising
    Increase Sales Tip - Separate Qualified Business Prospects from Prospects and Suspects
    Dramatically increase sales begins by separating your qualified business prospects from your other prospects and suspects before they enter your sales funnel. To take this action, requires you to define each of these potential clients or customers.After 30 years in sales and 10 years as a business coach, I have learned that unless terms are clearly defined the ability to
    k during their next meeting. Although public speaking is one of our most common fears, speaking to a group quickly establishes expert status.
  • Find a business that offers complementary services to yours and split the costs of your both your marketing. For example, if you own a graphic design business, join forces with a printer.
  • I can’t end this discussion without mentioning web sites. There is no other way to reach as many people at the same time (except maybe advertising, but advertising on the same scale can be very expensive). The problem with web sites is putting one up is just the beginning. Marketing your site takes a lot of hard work, but it’s worth it.

  Small business marketing doesn’t need to be difficult. Nor does it need to be expensive. These 7 strategies are just the tip of the iceberg. Really, you’re only limited by your imagination, and of course your budget.