For many small businesses, the holidays are so busy that they don’t have time to think about anything but helping their customers. But now that the New Year is here, we would like to offer a few “Marketing Resolutions” to help you plan your company’s marketing strategy for 2014. These are simple, relatively inexpensive ideas that can have great impact on your business. Let’s get started:
1. I resolve to focus on my customers’ needs.
When it comes to marketing, it pays to know your customers. Who are they? Where do they live? What kinds of things do they like or dislike? What problems are they having? Sure, you want to sell your products and services. But rather than always designing your marketing messages around YOU, YOU, YOU, make a conscious effort to help your customers address their pain points.
2. I resolve to keep our company blog updated.
According to Hubspot, of blog users who posted less than monthly, 43% obtained a customer through their blog. Bump it up to weekly posts, and 66% acquired a customer directly through their blog. And of those who posted a daily blog, 78% obtained a customer! Blogging is a great way to share knowledge and become a trusted source of information for customers and potential customers. But your blog is only valuable if you keep it updated.
3. I resolve to participate in community and charity events.
Charity and volunteer work is not only beneficial to your health, but also a great way to get your company’s name out in the community and other circles where your products or services may be needed. Giving back to your community is an important part of being a responsible business, and it’s also a good way to promote teamwork among your employees.
4. I resolve to improve client communications.
If you use a newsletter to communicate with your clients, why not refresh the look and feel of it for the New Year? Add video to your emails, or make them interactive with a poll or contest. Ask for your clients’ opinions and thank them for their feedback. Connect with clients on the platform where it’s most convenient for THEM, whether that’s via phone, email or on social media. And be sure to respond quickly to questions and mentions.
5. I resolve to develop better relationships with my current customers.
Along with creating initial interest and helping “sell” your business to potential customers, marketing can be used to develop a better relationship with current customers. When you cross-sell your other products and services, your company becomes a more valuable partner. Use your existing email list(s) to send out a marketing campaign to promote additional services your customers may not be aware of, or feature items that compliment something they’ve already purchased. Your on-hold messages and digital signage can also be used to cross-sell and develop closer relationships with customers.
Do you have any other Marketing Resolutions for the New Year? Let us know in the comments!
(Image courtesy of m_bartosch / FreeDigitalPhotos.net)