Be the driver of your marketing destiny
Attention small business owners!
Yes, you — the small business owner with their head in the sand. When it comes to getting the word out to the right audiences about your business, you’re not sure where to start. Now, you are also the small business owner who can get things done when you have an idea on what to do.
You have more power and skill than you realize.
In today’s post, I want to share a secret with you. This secret just may be the game changer you are looking for when it comes to marketing your business.
Now before I reveal what’s behind the curtain, I want you to take stock of what you have going for you as a business owner.
- Ambition. You wouldn’t have started a business without it.
- Goals. You need these to determine if your business is a success.
- You know you need to market your business to drive sales.
Drum roll please…
Here is the secret you’ve been waiting for: There are many parts to marketing a business that you can do yourself. What’s more is you don’t need a big budget agency or agency dollars to make effective marketing happen.
You just have to be SMART about it. SMART is an acronym for the small business marketing program I developed to empower business owners to tackle their own marketing with the support of a professional.
Ready to Get SMART?
1. Start with a STRATEGY
If you don’t have a strategy, you might as well throw paint at the wall and hope for a smooth coat.
Strategy means you aren’t relying on what I call “hope” marketing. You “hope” for good results. You “hope” for more sales. Hope just doesn’t equate success. Strategy does. Wherever you put your intention grows stronger and with strategic marketing, you are pinning your hopes, dreams and desires for increased clients and sales on a solid foundation of having a plan.
2. MEASURE your success
How do you know your marketing efforts are working?
You need to know where you started and where you are going. It’s important to be a diligent evaluator of everything you are doing to market your business. Don’t put your head in the sand and hope that everything is working for you- I can guarantee you that your competition isn’t doing that. Determining results will help you plan for the next steps in reaching your goals. You must market your business one hour a day, say the experts. Make that one hour a master class in seeing how your business and your marketing are measuring up.
3. Do only the things that APPLY to your business and target audiences
Every business owner should have a toolkit of marketing tools at their disposal.
However, it’s critical to know which tools fit your business profile best. Yes, everyone needs a website in this day and age, but do you need a press kit? Which tools are applicable to the strategy you are putting in place? Can you apply the strategy easily using these tools? If you just guess at what’s best for your business, you might as well put a blindfold on and go for a drive. The outcome, in that case, is very different, right?
4. Reach for RESULTS
Results can vary and can take time. Be patient.
In marketing, it’s important to know what the results are of your efforts and if they are bringing you the customers, conversion and CASH you are hoping for. However, an effective marketing plan takes time, effort and patience, so know that going in, it may take time to see the fruits of your labor.
5. Watch your business’ TRANSFORMATION as you market the right way.
It’s time to get excited and prepare for growth!
How is your business transforming the lives of others? How are you making an impact on your audiences? Transformative Marketing is branding yourself/positioning yourself as the champion of your industry. Champions are winners and winners take home the most money (and best reputation) at the end of the day.
SMART Marketing makes a world of difference in getting things done.
By getting SMART, business owners can expect to see growth and a streamlining of marketing efforts. It creates order, empowers people, and supports businesses in their growth. As the driver of your own marketing initiatives using SMART, get ready to have the business you’ve always dreamed of.
Learn more about The SMART Marketing Method and how it can help you and your business grow.
