Marketing in tougher times – 10 tips
By Tracy Marsh
It’s hard to stress just how important it is to make your marketing activity count at this point in the economic cycle. With the first positive signs appearing that things are improving, it is vital that you get your marketing in gear now to ensure you hit the ground running when we do emerge from the recession.
Here are 10 tips to put you on the right track.
1. Never neglect your existing customers; it is as much about them as new customers. Make sure you keep them up-to-date with new product ranges or services.
2. The only real difference in tougher times is ensuring you are providing value for money and a first class service.
3. Make sure all your activities are measurable. Do not repeat any activity that has not provided a good return on investment.
4. Be clear about your business and marketing objectives – have you revisited them recently to consider if they are still relevant in these tougher times?
5. Is your positioning right in the marketplace? Keep on top of your competitor activity and always consider your target audience
6. Are your key messages making you stand out from your competitors? Ask yourself why someone should buy from you and what you can deliver that really makes you different and invaluable.
7. Are you communicating regularly with your key stakeholders, customers, suppliers and staff? Referrals are the cheapest form of marketing so make sure all of these people are working on your behalf.
8. Whatever you do, don’t stop your marketing activities
9. Always be SMART with your activities – specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timed.
10. Remember, it’s all about return on investment… whatever marketing activities you implement, you must benefit from the results.
Tags: customers, Marketing, measurable, objectives, referrals, return on investment, service, SMART
