Small Business Marketing
Getting customers to call is a primary step in many small businesses’ sales processes. Telling them, “Call for information,” “Call Now!” or “Call to order!” are not enough. You need to give customers a reason to call you. Offering a…
Read MoreRecently, my colleague David Weatherholt sponsored a young 4-Her raising a pig. He brought her on his radio show, “Getting Down to Business”(in Anchorage on Fox News Talk 1020), to discuss the adventures of young entrepreneurialism. This topic inspired me…
Read MoreMaybe there was an upcoming chili cook-off. Maybe there was a corresponding sale on Bean-O. Or perhaps the blizzard warning inspired a desire for comfort food. Whatever the reason, my Kroger grocery store was out of black beans. But I…
Read MoreThere’s an old marketing rule that states, “Don’t market to yourself.” Like many adages, it has the benefit of being true. Marketing is for your customers, not for you. Many small business marketers make the mistake of developing marketing strategies…
Read MoreMarketing is everything. And I’m not exaggerating. If marketing is an expression of your company’s reputation (or brand), then every experience your customers have with your company is a marketing interaction. Your customers don’t stop evaluating your company and forming…
Read MoreSmall businesses are bombarded with advertising opportunities. These sales pitches often make small business owners feel uneasy and uncertain, thinking, “Shouldn’t I try this out?” or, “What if I’m missing an opportunity?” In small business, the fear of missing out…
Read MoreIf marketing communication involves informing and persuading customers with compelling messages, then I hesitate to call campaign activities “marketing.” Every election season, as my mailbox fills with postcards, I’m left to wonder, “Who makes these ads?” If any company bombarded people…
Read MoreMost marketing metaphors seem so violent. Many of these metaphors are directed at competitors- you need to outwit, outflank, outsmart the enemy. It’s a bit macho for me, but I get it. You want to beat the other guy. I’m…
Read MoreHow small business marketing can benefit from this economy Being naturally optimistic, I always try to turn bad situations into new opportunities. Our still-faltering economy may be dragging down business, but there are ways for small businesses to take advantage…
Read MoreSmall Business Marketing for Startups Yesterday, an acquaintance asked me for advice on his startup company’s marketing. He just didn’t know how to get started with his first customer. He wanted to know what kinds of brochures, business card or…
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