Tom's Top 10 Marketing Tips

Marketing is the key to success in just about all businesses. The right marketing can make  an average product outperform a good one, if it’s not marketed properly.  
Large businesses can afford to have a large budget, however for smaller businesses this might not be possible. Business should constantly look out for new methods to reach their audience, ensuring that they record the response data to help identify those methods that give them the greatest return on investment. 

 

The list below gives 10 tips for businesses to follow that won’t cost the earth, however might make a big difference to the return on investment. 

 

1. Try before you buy   
Everybody likes stuff for free, so take advantage of this. Giving stuff away is one of the best ways to draw in new customers to your business, especially if it’s a product that either your businesses produces or has relevance to your sector. For instance, if you run a cheese factory, you should give away free samples of your product to try. This not only will allow consumers the opportunity to taste your goods in advance. If they like what they receive, you can guarantee that they’ll come back for more, this time as a paying customer. 
Why not also use giveaways to boost your social media presence or build your email list? 

 

2. Strategic partnerships 
Identify businesses that reach your target market and form strategic partnerships with them. Look for ways you can work together, whether it be actively marketing each other's services, or working jointly together. Partnerships help extend your reach and contribute to your bottom line. 

 

3. Second time offers 
Once you’ve got a customer make sure you make the most of them. A personalised message with a further offer or discount will encourage them to either do business with you again or purchase your products in the future. To encourage a speedy response, give the offer a close by date. 

 

4. Segmentation 
Be relevant to your market by adapting marketing materials and Ads for your different customer segments. Always think about the audience you are speaking to and ensure the content is relevant to that audience. In today’s world of digitisation, this is becoming increasingly easy to do.

 

5. Run an event 
Going to events can be a great way to meet new customers and potential suppliers. Creating your own event can be even more rewarding, as it’s a great way to kill many birds with one stone and a fabulous way to show case your products and services, leading back to tip number one, try before you buy. 

 

6. Talk to your customers 
Make sure you regularly talk to your customers, so you can gather feedback with regards to your product or service. This could be done on a one to one basis, as part of a customer survey or via research groups. Understanding your clients will help you adapt your offering to what your customers want, it also makes customers feel their views count and they are therefore more likely to remain loyal. 

 

7.Open your eyes to new markets 
Look at alternative markets you could sell your products or services. If you sell bread to consumers, why not sell to hotels and pubs or even supermarkets. Although your margins might not be as high selling through the trade, your end user customer base can expand substantially increasing brand awareness and your bottom line. 

 

8. Make use of existing communications 
You may well regularly send invoices and brochures to your existing customers, if so, make full use of them by including marketing materials/Ads. If you are mailing them anyway, this is a cost-efficient way of ensuring they are kept up-to-speed with your latest offers. It also helps keep your brand at the forefront of their minds, increasing the chance that they’ll do business with you again in the future. 

 

9.Stay in touch 
There is nothing easier or more cost effective than staying in touch with your customers via email. Obviously changes to GDPR have meant that you must have permission from each customer, however once obtained, if you give them the chance to unsubscribe, a weekly or bi-weekly email with relevant content can become something that customers look forward to receiving. Use this email to give them the latest news and offers, segment and tailor the content depending on the specific audience. Include blog posts, images, infographics, videos, or even slide presentations, content that will engage and make your customers feel you are giving them stuff for free. 

 

10. Make it easy for customers to call you 
If you use Pay Per Click ads (PPC), make sure you feature your telephone number making it as easy as possible for potential customers to get in touch. Also make sure you have a click-to-call link on your website. 

To find out how TDBC Consulting could help your business, contact: 
Tom Charles: 07403747974

email: [email protected]

visit: www.tdbcconsulting.co.uk  

TDBC Consulting Limited, 70 Bowman House,  Bowman Court,  Whitehill Industrial Estate,  Whitehill Ln,  Royal Wootton Bassett,  Swindon SN4 7DB