These profit building practices have been absent from your marketing processes for too long – maybe forever. Here is your proper introduction.

Sometimes the best practices for greater sales are the ones you are not doing. And why would you omit a marketing practice that will make you more money? Probably one of two reasons:

A). You don’t know about it.

B). It’s so challenging that you skip it and do something else.

The following nine practices are something every growth conscious company should do. Some you have heard of but are ignoring while others may never have crossed your mind. Either way, it’s time to add these practices to your marketing.

 

PRACTICE 1

CLEAR REASONS TO BUY

Too often, businesses all say the same generic thing… We’ve been in business since… We’re a family-operated business… We have low prices, etc., etc., etc. The greatest mistake most companies make in marketing is not clearly communicating to a prospect, “Here’s why you should spend your money with me instead of the other guy.” It’s time to cut the corporate speak and jargon. Take a stand and give your customers a clear reason why they should spend their hard earned money with you.

 

PRACTICE 2

LISTENING

Many businesses do not have a clue what their customers think about their company. First, they never ask the customers. Second, they don’t have online listening systems in place to monitor what customers are saying on the internet. Listening to the thoughts and concerns of your customers gives you the information you need to drive your bottom line. You should be monitoring what customers are saying online and in-person to provide better intelligence for customer service, sales support and of course marketing.

 

PRACTICE 3

REVIEW OF MARKETING DATA

It’s time to stop relying on gut instincts, whims and what other people are saying about your marketing. Take a look at the marketing data. Pour over it as if it was a P&L statement. Make smart decisions based on the marketing data. You’ll most likely save money and achieve better results in the long run.

 

PRACTICE 4

STRONG CALL TO ACTION

Too often businesses assume their customers know what to do after viewing marketing materials. Never assume. Tell them what to do. A strong call to action will give them direction. Whether it’s asking them to click on a coupon or provide their email address, never assume… ask them.

 

PRACTICE 5

TESTING

Most companies don’t test their marketing. They just make it live and hope and pray it works. If you don’t test things, how do you know if it’s working at the highest possible level? Test offers, headlines, pictures and other elements of your marketing materials. Find out what works best. Don’t leave it up to chance.

 

PRACTICE 6

ACCOUNTABILITY

At the end of the day, you have to hold your marketing accountable. Is it making you money? More importantly, is it producing a high return on investment? Just like other aspects of your business, marketing needs to be regularly reviewed to determine its effectiveness.  Hold your marketing accountable.

 

PRACTICE 7

BE RELEVANT

Customers don’t give two cents about your company history or the awards that you’ve won. Customers care about themselves. What’s relevant to your company is probably not going to be relevant to your customers. Your marketing materials should address the problems, needs and issues of your customer base.

 

PRACTICE 8

WORK ON MARKETING DAILY

Don’t procrastinate on marketing. You’re only killing your chances of getting more leads and sales. Marketing is an everyday task. It’s just like exercise. You don’t have to do it every day. But if you do, you’re going to be in much better shape. Designate some time every single day to focus on marketing.

 

PRACTICE 9

MULTI-CHANNEL APPROACH

You have to use the same channels your customer base uses if you want more sales. Too often, businesses focus on only one or two marketing channels that are often outdated and overpriced (print, radio, etc.). The key is to be on four or five channels so you have a bigger stream of potential customers. This might include paid search advertising, social media, text message marketing, etc.

 

PRACTICE BETTER MARKETING NOW

At Right On – No Bull Marketing, we can help get your marketing back on track. We’re an online marketing agency that specializes in helping local businesses get more leads and sales using a variety of techniques and approaches.

To find out how we can help you, read our page on Local Business Online Marketing Services. For any questions, contact us online or call us at 877-837-8803.