Small Business Marketing
Some marketing professionals seem to think marketing is all about “pulling one over” on customers with their clever tactics. The trouble with this philosophy (besides being ethically problematic, of course) is that it just doesn’t work. Marketers aren’t smarter than…
Read MoreLately, I’ve noticed an uptick in the number of businesses that use puns in their taglines. As an avid lover of puns, you might expect me to approve of this marketing move. But using a pun in a tagline is…
Read MoreCan witnessing the inner workings of small businesses be exciting? Anyone who operates a small business certainly knows it can be. Watching ABC’s Shark Tank is a fascinating study in small business marketing, business analysis, financing and negotiation. If you…
Read MoreIn this marketing podcast, I give marketing tips for making great first impressions. Your customer’s first impression could be your storefront or even your website, and what customers think determines if they will buy from you. And I also reveal…
Read MoreToday’s blog post is not about Prince– sorry to disappoint. Instead, it features of some of the best signs I’ve encountered around the world. In my travels, I’ve always taken an interest in the signs that businesses use to promote themselves.…
Read MoreHave you ever driven past a small business and thought it looked dingy, dilapidated or outdated? Have you ever been on a website that felt cumbersome to use, with the information you sought hard to find? Perhaps you think the…
Read MoreWhen you send mixed marketing messages, your customers become confused, suspicious or even angry. Take, for instance, the dissonant image below. The dry cleaner says they love customers but damaged the suit they cleaned. I believe the dangling button more…
Read MoreWhen you start a new business or develop a new brand, one of the most important early steps is naming it. A good name tells customers who you are, what you do, and what you can do for them. If…
Read MoreA Facebook follower recently asked, “What can I do when an advertising or marketing campaign isn’t working?” There are several reasons a marketing campaign might fail. Here are several common ones: You aren’t marketing to the right customers. The first…
Read MoreA marketing plan is the foundation of any small business’s marketing efforts. Your marketing plan should describe and justify big marketing strategies and inform your daily tactical decisions. At first, completing a marketing plan for your business may seem daunting…
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