Consider these important aspects when putting together your marketing strategies:
Market research: It's common to assume that if we love our product or service, others will too. Many businesses skip the simple step of doing market research to discover what customers want in a business offering. Take time to research your market before you begin implementing marketing strategies.
Buying behaviour: Customers will buy for their reasons, not yours. Buyers go through various stages of the buying cycle. By aligning your marketing strategies to tailor to what stage your customer is in of the buying process, your odds of success are greatly increased.
SWOT analysis: The marketplace is wide and deep fulfilling many wants and needs. Before you craft your marketing message, get a sense of who your competitors are including their strengths and weaknesses. A simple SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis will put your market in perspective.
Marketing mix: There are a multitude of channels to reach your customers ranging from radio and Yellow Pages to the internet and trade shows. Target your marketing strategies on multiple channels to increase your reach and frequency.
Low cost marketing: The most effective marketing isn't the most costly. There are ways to market without breaking the bank including social media, joint ventures, PR and referrals.
