| |
| |
|
Marketing Information |
|
|
|
Marketing Strategy - Shift the Focus
Most of the service providers I've worked for or with don't like marketing or selling. In fact, a lot of them will say they "hate it." At the very least, they'll tell me they don't think they are very good at it. If you ask them why it is they feel this way, you're most likely to get some common responses such as: "When do I have the time? I'm busy enough as it is." "I don't know where to start." "I don't know what to do." "I've tried networking, but I don't ever get anything." "I just don't have the gift of gab." "I'm a _________, not a marketing or sales person." When you ask those same professionals what it is that they like to do, you're likely to get something such as they love to solve problems or help their clients do something that they can't really do for themselves. They enjoy being able to provide valuable information to those who need it the most, their ideal clients. What they don't understand is that positioning themselves as problem solvers is also a better approach to marketing. Shift your focus from 'having to market and sell yourself and your services' to 'being a provider of information and a solver of problems for your ideal clients.' You'll not only enjoy the journey more, you'll actually become a better and more successful "marketer/seller." That's right! Don't focus on trying to convince, persuade, or sell. Take the pressure off yourself. Provide information to help solve problems and provide solutions and you'll build more business. People (including businesses) hire or buy services because they have a problem, pain, issue, or some other business or personal need that they don't have the time, the skills, or the inclination to address for themselves. People and businesses realize they can't, and frankly don't want to do it all. Of course, you knew that. But why aren't they buying those services from you? You see when you're marketing and selling, you tend to focus on trying to persuade and sell. You talk a lot about and share materials that are focused on who you ARE, what you HAVE, what you can DO, or what you KNOW. We most often market the features and services we want them to buy from us. I'm sure you've been there - trying to convince we have the capabilities, persuade that we're the best option, and sell the features and benefits of our service(s). What doesn't get explained is what they GET from working with you. Many business owners believe it's a numbers game. We're led to believe that if we tell enough people, eventually someone will recognize the value and say, "Hey, that's just what I've been looking for." But this leads to a lot of rejection. No wonder you don't enjoy marketing yourself. Shift your focus. Clearly articulate the problem or problems that you want to help your ideal clients solve when communicating with prospects and referral sources and they will begin to listen. Then, if you can demonstrate credibly that you can provide a solution to that problem, they'll want to know more. You're going to enjoy the process a whole lot more and you'll be amazed at how much more successful you'll be! (c) - Kevin Dervin, KPD Marketing About the Author: Kevin Dervin is focused on helping small businesses that are ready to grow, but struggle with how to consistently attract more clients. Visit http://www.proven-small-business-marketing-solutions.com for more great marketing information you can put to use in growing your business today. Find Kevin's Kansas City based KPD Marketing practice at http://www.ABCDgrowth.com and subscribe to his free ezine called ABCD Grow.
MORE RESOURCES:
Marketing - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Marketing Your Franchise Online Do you want to successfully market your business franchise online? Here's an internet strategy you can use for your franchise opportunity.1. Terrific Titles, Happenin Headlines You've probably heard the slogan, "You never get a second chance to make a first impression." It may be a sales pitch, but in the world of advertising and promotion, it's right on the nose. Growing Your Business With Your Marketing Priorities None of us have enough time in the day to get everything done, but small business owners and entrepreneurs like you are particularly pressed. You wear so many hats; there is a seemingly infinite list of tasks to accomplish each day, from providing services to clients, managing product distribution and delivery, to keeping accounting in order. Tooting Your Own Horn "If he who has a thing to sell Goes and whispers in a well, He won't be so apt to make the dollars As he who climbs a tree and hollers!" -- AnonymousEvery day in your business, something happens that others should know about. You give exceptional service to a client; you reach out to a new type of customer; you demonstrate your expertise on an important topic. Effective List Management Can Save You Big Let's talk about how to keep your postage costs down.So far you have been following my advice and mailing to the same list more than once. How You Can Make Money From Competitors Easy Are you market products and services using PPCs? PPC Advertising is one of the fastest and easiest ways to get visitors, capture email addresses and make sales. However, I am sure not every campaign you created are profitable. Time for A Marketing Tune-up If you have been in business any length of time, I can assure you that habits, not conscious thought, are guiding your marketing actions. Many business people are great optimists, or they probably wouldn't have gotten into the game to begin with. Calling All Carbon-Based Lifeforms Many businesses want to market to all carbon-based life forms. They won't take the time to really understand their audiences from geographic, demographic and psychographic perspectives. Client Attraction Technique #1: Niche Marketing When asked "what business are you in" many business owners often identify an industry, for example, "I'm an accountant" or "I run a beauty salon " or "I own a restaurant." But claiming to be part of an industry is not what attracts customers. Optimizing Your Email Marketing Email CampaignsEmail marketing can be a tremendously valuable tool for web businesses. Because it is so fast, cheap and easy, and because it is everywhere, email lends itself ideally to direct marketing. What Does Your Logo Color Say About Your Business? And not only your logo, but also your website, your brochure, your business cards and any of your marketing materials for that matter.Yes, colors do matterThey communicate feelings and emotions. When The Stars Align - Choosing the Right Entertainment Savvy event producers follow the Golden Rule: know thy audience. When they set out to create a special event, the first thing they do is slip into the shoes of a typical guest. Networking, iNetworking, What Is The First Rule? Networking on the Internet is the same as networking in person, or is it? Let's take a conversational tour together on this topic.At an in-person networking event you wouldn't just attend not to network. Youre Halfway There!...Or Not Part 1 The year is almost over and the last half of this year will fly by just as fast as the first half. Are you on target for meeting your business goals for this year?If you answered yes, congratulations! Keep reading for ideas that will help you stay on track. Value Proposition is the Key to Success Value proposition is treated as the standards or service that the organization is planning to offer or deliver to targeted group of customers with the help of some effective strategic planning.In today's multifaceted technologically driven and extreme competitive business atmosphere, the ability to successfully run your business and to have precise and timely insight into the business performance through value proposition, is the key to success. 21 Must-Have Web Site Elements Your Web site should be the cornerstone of your client seduction efforts. The site is your silent salesperson -- the one with whom prospective clients visit before granting you permission to meet with them. Like Brushing Your Teeth What do the following things have in common: brushing your teeth, regular exercise, eating a balanced diet, paying your bills on time, cleaning your gutters, spending quality time with your spouse and kids??They're all forms of regular "self-care" that, if you neglect them for a period of time or take the wrong approach, there will be costly negative consequences.The same goes for marketing. Print Marketing Campaign, Whats Important and Whats Not! Every company searches to lure customers to their product. Unless you have a monopoly or unique product your marketing goal is to fulfill your customers needs with your products. Great Marketing is Like Making a Great Movie KNOW YOUR AUDIENCEThe Oscars will be handed out soon, and it's a perfect time to keep this in mind: If you're a business owner or manager, it's wise to think of yourself as a great film director who's telling a story. Having directed films, stage, television, and stage productions we noticed that the principles of great directing or filmmaking apply exactly to great marketing. Making More With Existing Clients Have you ever put on a jacket you haven't worn in a while and found a twenty-dollar bill in one of the pockets? You'd forgotten all about it, so discovering it is like getting a gift. If you've been in business for a year or longer, you may have gifts in forgotten pockets - sources of additional revenue waiting to be discovered and tapped.
|
| Good Credit Loans | home | site map | School Bus Clothing | Florida Pool Heating |
| © 2006 |
