small business marketing 101
DESCRIPTION
Determine how to market your small business and tap into new ways to make sales and get the customers you really want.TRANSCRIPT
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Small Business Small Business Marketing 101 Marketing 101
Presenter:
Shannon JohnMarketing Manager, Laughlin
Associates
1-800-648-0966
www.laughlinusa.com
Legal Notice and DisclaimerLegal Notice and Disclaimer
This presentation does not constitute the rendering of legal advice or services.
The information being presented is intended for informational use only and is not a substitute for legal advice.
State, national and international laws vary, as do individual circumstances; so always consult a qualified attorney on all legal matters.
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IntroductionIntroductionThank you for attending today’s webinar! Feel free to write in your questions at any point, I am happy to address your concerns throughout the presentation.
There will also be a Q & A section at the end of the webinar.
Shannon John, Laughlin Associates' Marketing Manager, will explore the best practices for marketing your small business to increase revenue, improve outreach to your desired target market, and ensure your company branding is effective.
1-800-648-0966
www.laughlinusa.com
Today’s ObjectivesToday’s ObjectivesLet’s not only TALK the TALK,
Let’s WALK the WALK!
Identify your target market
Analyze your current marketing efforts…are they working? Why or why not?
Build relationships through networking
Create a solid game plan that will yield major results
Tap into new, undiscovered areas of marketing
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Your Target MarketYour Target Market
Segment your market by assessing your current client demographic
Identify potential clients Consumers The Industrial Market Resellers Determine which are key to your business structure
Identify who would want to and who currently buys your product or service and
WHY!
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Who Are They?Who Are They?
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Your Typical CustomerYour Typical Customer
Age Income Gender Profession Hobbies
Education level Family Size Homeowner Marital Status Geographic Location
Segment your existing customer base to determine your “target group.”
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Current OutreachCurrent OutreachMarketing Must-Haves:
Company Website Email Marketing Advertising Public Relations Networking/Relationship Building
How are you reaching out to your current customer base?
Do you have any “staples” like Geico does with the Gecko?
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That All Sounds Great, That All Sounds Great, But How Do I Do It?But How Do I Do It?
Buy into a monthly subscription to an email campaign software system like Mail Chimp, iContact, Strong Mail, Results Mail or you can even use EventBrite for quick updates on your events and promotions.
Place ads with local magazines, the newspaper, radio stations or on Facebook and LinkedIn.
Remember advertising only works if you’re advertising to your TARGET demographic! Do some research before you spend $$$.
Send out press releases for free via sites like www.PRweb.com.
Define your budget and stick with it. Social media is free, so try using these methods and see how much traction you can gain through outlets like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Join groups and bounce ideas off of other business owners. Entrepreneurs are usually very creative thinkers!
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Methods To Your Methods To Your MadnessMadness Remember that a single marketing trick will NOT work
every time!
Do not try to everything at once. You don’t want to overwhelm yourself or your clients!
Rotate your methods and create a game plan in regard to how your reach out to your customer base. I.e. monthly emails, postcards, advertising, and phone calls.
Create special offers for your existing clients so they will benefit if they refer new clients.
Try social media. Open a Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn account. You can even try offering a special coupon to local area residents on Groupon.
Hold a seminar or webinar to reach out to your clients and prospects in a new way.
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The Power of Strong The Power of Strong RelationshipsRelationships
Reach out to other business owners in your area.
Find out which marketing techniques are working best for them.
Leverage your relationship with other strong names in your community to improve your presence, build your brand, and increase your client list.
Attend networking events in your town or surrounding areas.
Always bring your business card and be prepared to follow-up with phone calls the next day after connecting with any key players.
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www.laughlinusa.com
Planning Your AttackPlanning Your Attack Define your marketing budget.
Determine if you can handle the responsibility or will you need to outsource your efforts to accommodate the added workload?
Outline your desired goals for this year and the following year. Planning too far ahead in marketing may leave you out of the
technological loop.
Assess whether or not your website and presence on the Web needs a “facelift.”
Decipher which new areas you want to try out this year and how you are going to tackle any new endeavors.
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When To Switch When To Switch GearsGears
If you’re resources and time are being dried up by your marketing efforts—then STOP!
Try something new, something free, and something easy to use.
Check out www.elance.com for great freelance work at a very low cost.
Instead of hiring another employee, try using a Virtual Assistant service like www.mysecretstaff.com. They will complete tasks one at a time or you can use
them as a monthly subscription for repeat jobs.
Create your own website instead of hiring an expensive designer. Try www.1and1.com.
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Make It Make It AllAll Work AND Work AND EnjoyEnjoy It!It! Owning your own business is a privilege!
It’s time you treat it like one.
As the owner of your business, it is your job to manage the sales and marketing, but make it FUN, not a CHORE!
When things aren’t panning out…try something new. The world of marketing is ever-changing—you will never run out of choices, I promise!
Create some “me” time away from your business. Get some exercise, have lunch with a friend, grab a drink, take a class…anything really, just get away!
Your time away from your business will get you pumped up again, give you some new ideas and allow you to pursue other passions you have in your life.
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Become Our Fan On Become Our Fan On Facebook and Get a Free Facebook and Get a Free Gift!Gift!
Michelle Young, President of Laughlin Associates is a perfect example of a successful entrepreneur and someone who allows herself some personal time to pursue her interests.
This beautiful 12-month calendar painted by Michelle is yours totally FREE if you become our fan on Facebook today!
Let Michelle inspire you to combine business with pleasure by pursuing an outside interest that may gain you some business contacts, allow you to make a charitable donation that normally couldn’t afford, and showcase your talents in an innovative way.
www.facebook.com/LaughlinAssociates
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What’s On The Horizon?What’s On The Horizon?
Check out our upcoming seminar is Las Vegas!
The Asset Protection, Tax Reduction and Business
Growth Strategies Seminar
May 11-13, 2011Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino
www.assetprotectionseminar.com