Marketing strategy makes the difference between a successful and a failing business. Its main purpose is to increase sales and secure a competitive advantage over other brands with similar offerings by creating strong brand awareness through short-term and long-term activities. Here are some of the marketing basics for newbies:
Target market
These are the people who would benefit from your services or products.
Define your perfect customer and the people you want to respond to your marketing efforts. It is difficult to start a marketing campaign if you have no clear definition of your market audience because anyone can be interested in your product but not everyone needs it or wants it.
Having a specific audience in mind will help you narrow your efforts to the category of the audience that you want to attract. But, you still have to cater to potential patrons, although the higher percentage of your marketing efforts is focused on your priority customers.
Unique advantage
Why would customers choose your brand over its competitors? Make the most of the main features of your brand that distinguish it from similar offers. Highlight and describe these unique features on your promotional campaigns to grab the attention of your target market. Use simple and easy-to-understand words in the language and format that they can understand. When it comes to graphics or videos, use uncomplicated visual features on your promotions to inform your potential clients.
Marketing strategy
How do you reach your target market?
The overall marketing strategy must suit the category of your customers. That means, all activities in your marketing campaign must fit into their interests, lifestyle, needs and wants of your target audience. You can write the most flawless article, but if it does not interest your readers, your efforts are in vain. Create ads that they understand and can relate to, and connect with them on social media platforms.
You can join LinkedIn groups of people who might be interested in your product or service. For example, if you are selling car insurance, you can join groups of insurance agents, car agents or perhaps personal disability lawyers. Join the discussion, share something useful and interact with other LinkedIn group members. Then, they are more likely to share your posts and tell their network about your brand.
Marketing basics for newbies: customer service
Marketing strategy and customer service also go hand and hand. You cannot easily market something that people are complaining about. So, make sure that the customer service department and your marketing department work hand in hand. Social media is not just a marketing platform but a customer service tool as well.
Social media
Leverage social media not just in terms of marketing, but in retaining customers as well. The point here is to get at least a handful of referrals and hopefully reviews of your brand. Make them interested, ask them to try it out and hopefully gain positive reviews and feedback from happy and satisfied customers.
