PROFIT from MARKETING "Whatever the size or shape of your business, Marketing2win will put you ahead of your competition."
A Degree of Marketing
What is Marketing? Marketing is defined by the Chartered Institute of Marketing as: “The management process responsible for identifying , anticipating and satisfying customer requirements profitably.” What is the purpose Marketing? The single purpose of Marketing is to attract paying clients to your business.
Product The Marketing mix. Physical Pricing Processes Place People Promotion
Product Is there a need for your product or service in the marketplace? What does your product or service have to offer that is of value to your customer? Can you differentiate your product or service from your competitors? Consider exactly what it is you are selling. A gardener is not only selling his/her horticultural skills or knowledge. The gardener is also selling the customer their own time to do something else. Don’t think about how to sell your product or service, consider how the customer wants to buy. Put yourself in the position of your customer.
Top Tips 1. Your product or service might be right for today, is it right for tomorrow? Be prepared to adapt. 2. Establish and understand what your customer wants to buy. 3. Tailor your benefits to match your customers needs. 4. Sell the difference. 5. Customers buy benefits and you, not the product. 6. Think like your customer.
Pricing How will you price your products and services? 1. To match / undercut your competitors? 2. Premium price for a value added product or service? 3. Variable price to meet sector expectations? 4. Mark-up or value positioning? 5. Avoid differentiating on price.
Top Tips 1. Differentiate your products or service to command a higher price. 2. Don’t discount, offer added value. 3. Justify the benefits not the price. 4. You can be too cheap. 5. If your prospect wants the best deal at the lowest price; they are probably the wrong customer. 6. There is always someone cheaper than you.
Place What are your distribution channels? Who are your customers? Where do they congregate in large numbers? Everybody might be a suspect but not everybody is a prospect. Segment your customers and prospects. What are your competitors offering?
Top Tips 1. Keep a record of your prospects and customers - database 2. Keep in touch with them. 3. Research your competitors – knowledge is power.
Promotion Before you can determine how and where to promote your product or service, you will want to address the following questions. 1. To whom are you advertising your products or service? 2. Where does your target audience congregate in large numbers? 3. What do they really want to buy? 4. What is the emotional trigger that will make your targets want buy? 5. How can I best communicate my offer? 6. There is a difference between awareness and lead generation. 7. Measure your Return on Investment (ROI) Record it - Measure it - Monitor it - Adapt it.
Top Tips 1. Don’t be tempted by last minute special deals. 2. If the magazine / paper is not targeting your prospects, ignore it. 3. Design your advert to appeal to your target audience. 4. Maintain your brand. 5. Focus on the message. 6. Record ,monitor and analyse the response. 7. Canvas past clients – what influenced them? Record it - Measure it - Monitor it - Adapt it.
People This section address the question of how you and your team are perceived by your prospects and customers. We all wear uniforms. We expect undertakers to look sombre and dressed in black unless they conduct ‘Alternative’ funerals. Farmers wear wellingtons. Mechanics wear overalls. Do your team members promote your values and ethos? Does your team promote the same value proposition?
Top Tips 1. Create a company manual – half a dozen pages might be enough. 2. Consider branded work wear. 3. Training improves performance. 4. Encourage your employees to play as a team. 5. Keep them in the loop.
Process How do you manage your paperwork? What is the procedure for taking enquiries? What happens when you are not available? Where is the manual kept? Who buys the biscuits on Friday?
Top Tips 1. Have a simple procedure for the common activities in the business. 2. Record them. 3. Ensure that everybody knows what they are. 4. Update them to reflect changing priorities.
Physical Buildings, decor, furnishings, vehicles, paperwork, work attire, signage. Prospects and customers pick up messages from the physical attributes of your business. The key to success is to match how they perceive you and your business with their expectations.
Top Tips Prospects look for reasons not to buy. Making a decision to buy a high ticket item is a daunting prospect. You can give them all the reasons why they need to buy but if they are unsure they will look for reasons to delay making a commitment. In the main we buy emotionally and justify logically.
And finally 1. What are your expectations for yourself and your business? 2. What are your barriers to success? 3. What are your enablers to overcome the barriers? 4. What is your definition of success? 5. What is your plan to manage success? 6. Don’t think “I know, but...Say “I know, how can I make that work for me.” Plan it – Record it – Measure it – Monitor it – Deliver it – Enjoy it.
The customer’s perception is not always the truth but it is their reality. James Williams Mobile: 07837 568411 | james@marketing2win.co.uk | www.marketing2win.co.uk | Skype: jim.williams37 | Twitter: marketing2win
PROFIT from MARKETING Lickhill Road Contact us today and we will Stourport on Severn Worcestershire put you ahead DY13 8SF of your competition Landline: 01299 871971 Mobile: 07837 568411 james@marketing2win.co.uk www.james-marketing2win.blogspot.com www.marketing2win.co.uk Website Copy Writing Marketing Strategies Skype: jim.williams37 Marketing Advice Twitter: marketing2win Sales Techniques Photography Social Media Case Studies Advertising Literature Mobile: 07837 568411 | james@marketing2win.co.uk | www.marketing2win.co.uk | Skype: jim.williams37 | Twitter: marketing2win
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