MarketingMoment

One of the most common complaints I hear from solopreneurs (self-employed professionals) is that they don’t have time to market their business, to which I relpy, “Then you need to make time!”

Of course, the easiest and most obvious solution would be to hire outside help. A marketing professional can help you on an ad-hoc or a permanent basis, and so ease the pressure of ‘finding’ time to carry out this important business function.

However, when budgets don’t allow for outsourcing, then your  primary concern should ALWAYS be to make sure you never stop marketing . . .  whether you’re a service provider with too much work, or a retailer experiencing a boom in orders.

It doesn’t matter how good (or bad) business is, you absolutely MUST make time to promote and market your products and services.

The worst position to be in is when you don’t have any clients, or projects or sales because you didn’t make time for marketing or, worse, didn’t think marketing was necessary. It IS. And no one is too busy to not market.

Look, regardless of where we are in our lives or business, we always make time to schedule doctor appointments and the like. Perhaps you have a system on your computer that helps you keep track of these and other details. All I’m saying is that in order to run a successful business you need to add marketing activities. 

Don’t know where to start?

Start right now – TODAY!

Block out a few hours, minutes even (at least 20, though) in your daily schedule to complete one or more marketing tasks. And while you’re at it, why not put together a marketing plan – a mini one will do? Come spring time, you’ll be far ahead of where you thought you’d be.<

Remember, success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out. A daily marketing system is your roadmap to success. So make time for it!

***Need to be accountable to someone, or need help with your marketing goals? My mentoring programme can help you start off – and keep – on the right track.

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The lead article in MediaMinister’s latest newsletter, Communiqué for Success, shows you how to get make sure 2010 starts off on the right path for your business. To read “2010 and the Top Marketing Insights For Business” as well as the rest of the ezine, please sign up first. (You can unsubscribe at any time, and I NEVER abuse my subscriber’s email address. Your details are safe with me.)

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Do you struggle with your marketing? Or perhaps you need to increase the response of your advertising or your website?

Well, take a leaf from Socrates’ book (or clay tablet, as it was centuries ago)…

Socrates was perhaps the greatest master of persuasion. His tactic was to get people to agree with him, or concede their side of the argument, belief, or debate, by getting them to say “yes”. He would do this by asking questions that people would simply have to answer in the affirmative. And he’d do this over and over until they agreed with him!

How does this help you?

By getting your prospects to agree with your statements or questions, then each time they do they are one step closer to becoming a buyer.

Why not try this ‘Socrates Method’ in your advertising and marketing, and see what happens? Oh, and feel free to report any findings here.

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Choosing a good business name is important not just for the legalities of operating a business, but also for making sure your prospective buyers choose you instead of your competitors.

Some experts say that your business name is the first thing that any potential customer will notice and is therefore more important than your sales pitch or even your end product.

I wouldn’t necessarily go that far, but it is certainly true that the name you choose will strike either the right – or wrong – tone with your potential customers.

Successful organisations don’t just invest in developing good names, they work hard to develop a brand name. Because, over time, a brand is capable of doing the selling for you…

People remember a good business name. So what does yours say about you?

A lot of ‘modern’ business names either use the name of the person (if it’s a consultant, for example), which is fine, or they play on words.

I’m not a huge fan of using a play on words in a business name. My feeling is that it doesn’t make the name any more memorable (which is presumably the intention), and it can look a little on the conceited, self-important side.

Another mistake is putting the personal element in a business name. You’d do a LOT better if you chose a name that immediately gets across what you sell or do, and perhaps how you stand apart from the competition.

Speaking personally, if I were to choose my own business name again, I would choose something that adds more of a perceived value, without being ‘cutesy’ about it.

A good business name should be short, unique, memorable, distinctive, catchy and, more importantly, easy to remember and to spell!

When you do settle on a name, make sure you do a search on the internet, just to make sure you are not unintentionally offending someone – often words translated into a different language or culture can really mean something else! Finally, make sure you always consider the legal ramifications of your chosen company name.

If you want professional help with finding and selecting the right business name, just let me know. Prices start from just £97 for up to five original names from which to choose.

Copyright, T L Dooley. All Rights Reserved.

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The lead article in MediaMinister’s latest newsletter, Communiqué for Success, is a must-read before you waste any more time or money running poor-performing ads! It will also give you some ideas of getting more out of your marketing materials. 
To read, please sign up first.

Subscribe here.

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I used to sell air once. Some people say I’m sometimes full of the stuff (ah, they love me, really!). But I can fill it rather nicely, too.  :)

If you need effective script-writing or editing services for films, videos, radio, telemarketing and speeches, then you’ve come to the right place.

I can provide copy for all of the above and offer creative direction, too.

Find out more, request samples or book your project in at: www.mediaminister.co.uk

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I can teach you all the marketing strategies in the world, but if you’re not making time for marketing, then you may as well close shop. Harsh words, perhaps, but most definitely sound advice in the business world of today.

More so than ever before, your main job in business is to tell the world what you have to offer. You simply HAVE to make time to market it . . . again and again . . . despite what is going on around you. Unless you want to end up ‘broke’, that is.  

By doing some marketing every day — no matter how seemingly negligible   — I am able to keep in front of my current and potential clients. If you think you don’t need to do any marketing (what? In this economy?!), or you can’t find the time for it, then think again.

Marketing is something that ALL businesses — no matter how big or small — absolutely MUST invest in. Without a doubt. Especially in today’s overcrowded trading environment. 

And particularly if you need WANT to ride the wave of the current economic wave, and come out plain sailing at the other end… 

Rather stick a pencil in your eye than tackle that HUGE marketing task? 

Split it into smaller, more achievable chunks.

For example, rather than thinking of having to build an entire website, complete with 30 pages or more, start by working out exactly *what* you want visitors to do once they land on your website. Or spend a few hours searching for websites that you like the look and feel of for ideas and inspiration. 

  

To read more tips to help you get your marketing machine revved up and raring to go, and gain *hidden links* to recent CfS newsletter editions, become a CfS subscriber. As well as being FREE, you’ll receive a business-building report and audio CD that can dramatically improve sales simply for signing up and trying it out.   

Subscribe here.  

Recent CfS newsletter issues cover:

• 5 Ways to Get ANY Business Out of a Slump
• How to Get People to Buy From You
• Create a Buzz for Your Business With Twitter
• Can the X Factor Help Your Business?
• Be a Client Magnet
• Recession-Proof Your Business
• Stand Apart from ‘Me-Too’ Competitors
• Stop! Don’t Post that Letter!
• Common Mistakes that Can Kill Business

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In keeping with the current global economic meltdown, I have decided NOT to raise my copywriting, marketing, PR and editing/proofreading fees.

Instead, MediaMinister.co.uk will deliver the same valued-added service at 2008 prices to help clients continue to generate within budget the desired response from professionally crafted communications.   

So whether it’s business writing, staff communications, tenders and proposals, marketing material or publicity you’re after, you can now make your budget go further without diluting your results.

For the time being, all prices for my revenue-boosting tools and laser-focused “do-it-yourself” kits will be frozen, too. 

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If business development, thought leadership and brand focus were important topics before this recession - the best companies will now put them at the very top of their agendas, so said a top independent strategic economist in Europe recently.

Look at any of the past economic downturns and you’ll see one thing in common with the ‘intelligent’ brands: They each upped their game when it came to building a presence. This took the form of greater marketing activity (to the point where they were selling far more aggressively than during more prosperous times) and introducing new ideas.

The result was that when the economy rebounded and the tide rose above the recession, not only did they come out fighting, they also had a far greater market share than their competition. Those competitors who survived, that is.

So, and I’ve said this numerous times before, now is NOT the time to cut back on your marketing spend. Instead, stretch your budget while marketing smarter. Your brand – and company revenue – WILL thank you for it later.

Sceptical? Apart from the anecdote above, take a look at the current biggest brand in the world: Barack Obama. He became president of the United States amid the worst global recessions since World War II. Yet, he didn’t stand still just because the times were tough. Rather, he ’sold’ himself to the world, collecting a staggering number of ‘hits’ on countless websites and inspiring many along the way. His drive for the presidentship spawned a whole new kind of branding in its wake, including a whole host of Obama-branded merchandise, and helped him get more than global recognition; he got elected, too! 

I urge you to take a leaf out of Brand Obama’s book and be proactive, (not reactive). Optimise your marketing opportunities during these uncertain times recession. Please don’t be one of the ‘Gordon Browns’ of the business world by only doing something about your lot when it’s too late… 

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I ventured outdoors to a networking function the other day (being a writer, I’m afraid I live up to that semi-reclusive stereotype. Oh, heck, let’s just say I’m more comfortable liaising via the written word than face to face, where I often fall flat on my face. Or it feels like it!), and was given a number of business cards to take home with me.

Without naming any names, I noticed that several weren’t being used to their full potential. Worse, one had a typo on it.

So, here allow me to present a few tips on producing a business card that you’d be proud of — and that would do you proud:

1. Include all the important details. For example, your name and/or business name, address, phone number, fax number, email address and website URL.
2. Make someone really connected by handwriting your direct telephone line or email address before you pass on your card. 
3. If your company has employees, make sure everyone has their own stack of business cards. The more cards there are to give out the better; it will make your employees feel valued and help to spread the word bout your business.
4. Place your cards on bulletin boards at local libraries, schools and restaurants to obtain maximum coverage for your business in your area. Might be worthwhile seeking permission first.  :)
5. Think about creating magnetic business cards — which are becoming popular, but still underused enough to be a novelty. Your clients/customers can put them on places where they will be visible for many years. They could give you the edge of your competitors.
6. Make sure you proofread your card before it goes to the printers — and, if possible, as a page proof before it gets printed.

Source: Start Your Business magazine, issue 17 

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