Marketing Basics

Marketing has always been a concern for business owners. Some are lucky to have a know-how about it. But most are totally clueless as to how to promote their products or servies. Either that or their budget keeps them from comfortably promoting their products.

Marketing tells you how, when, where, at what price and to whom to sell your product. It is different from sales in that marketing is the guide to selling success.

Marketing can be a breeze if you follow these simple pieces of advice:

• Keep it simple.

If you have never done it before, start from simple flyers and streamers. In designing flyers, use two colors and two font styles so as not to make it look confusing. Two-color layouts also are cheaper when it comes to color separation and printing. Keep the layout simple and easy to ready. A reader's eyes usually travel from the upper left-hand to the lower right-hand of a page so put the things you want them to read at once by putting them in this direction.

• Have a USP.

In marketing, there is what is called a USP or unique selling proposition. This is a characteristic of your product that is not entirely unique but something that you want to put the spotlight on. If you are in the food business, are your products organic? Are they for health-conscious people? Are your prices the cheapest? Is it eat-all-you-can? When you create marketing materials,

• Use AIDA.

A- Attention. Choose a attention-getter headline or a contemplating question.

I- Interest. Create interest by stating the benefits, not features, of your products.

D- Desire. Motivate them to want to buy your product by giving them a 'feel' of how it will be when they buy.

A-Action. Always put an action item like Call Now! or 20% less if you sign up on or before April 10!

• Create tieups.

Forge partnership with companies who offer services or products complementary to yours. If you are a caterer, tieup with venues or party suppliers. Have an exchange deal or a referral tieup with them. They refer you to their clients, you do the same for them. This way no one dispenses cash and reaps the benefits of a talking and walking advertisement.

• Network.

Go out and meet as many people as you can. Attend socials. Join organizations pertaining to your business or organizations where your potential clients are.

• Have a plan.

You cannot do marketing just when you feel like it. A marketing plan is vital to your success. If you need help in making marketing plans, contact the writer of this article for more details.