Experienced marketers look back at their careers and wonder what could have happened if they knew then what they did now. There’s nothing more powerful than a few words from an expert when you are getting started. To help you get started with business marketing, take a look at some of the best marketing advice everyone should know when they are just starting out.
Your Target Audience Bucks the Trends
You’ve probably already heard the statistics that the general population is now 25% millennials. Look everywhere and people are espousing the need to target millennials. This has left many companies scrambling to target the young. Yet what you have to remember is that the majority of the population isn’t millennials. Are millennials even your target audience?
There’s no doubt that the drive to target millennials has turned into something of a trend in recent years. Marketers should bear in mind that the millennials market isn’t for everybody, nor is it always necessary to transform your entire marketing campaign purely because of this.
Think target audience, not trends.
Money Does Matter
As a novice, it’s easy to think that you can become successful based on how silver your tongue is. This is not the case at all. Many successful companies have made their fortunes or lost everything based on where the money goes.
Before you even start talking to customers, you should allocate a budget. And then after you have allocated your budget you should be constantly updating it as your situation changes. This will ensure that your budget is always as accurate as humanly possible.
Act Like a Friend
The word ‘marketer’ instantly conjures up ideas of salespeople desperately trying to push this product or service. This was how it used to work. Now you may have to speak to someone multiple times before they make a purchase. That’s why marketing in 2016 is all about the quality of the relationship. You should treat a lead as if they are already a customer.
But how do you go about doing that?
Begin by thinking about what their needs are. Many of your initial conversations will make no mention of what you are trying to sell whatsoever. That’s because you will be exclusively talking about what the customer wants. You should be acting like a friend at all times. You are there to help not to make money from them.
Big Data is Here to Stay
Marketing has always had data involving itself in decision-making processes. More companies than ever before are using big data to inform decisions. This is where you track everything from demographics all the way to what time of day your prospects are likely to be active on social media.
Marketers have to become more technological than ever before. Embrace new technology and understand that the majority of your day will be spent poring over facts and figures, rather than hitting the phone lines.
Great Content Wins the Day
You need to figure out a way to get people interested in what you have to offer. An important point to understand now is that your product or service isn’t unique. Everyone has seen it before. You have at least five companies offering exactly the same thing.
This is a hard fact to swallow, but it’s necessary to get past the idea that the merits of your product or service will carry the day for you without any extra help.
Content is king. Content marketing is the here and now. You have to produce great content that’s going to both educate and entertain. Be willing to pay to get great content, and produce it on a consistent basis. This is the best marketing bow you can have. This is what will get people coming to you.
Form an Ongoing Relationship
Once you have made the sale, you may think that the marketing process is over, but it’s not. You need to consider an ongoing relationship in order to bring in repeat business. Most companies survive based on how many loyal followers they can guarantee to make purchases of future products and services.
Using email marketing, for example, is one way to keep your brand front and center in people’s minds.
Conclusion
These pieces of marketing advice will help you to manage your business, hit your target audience, nurture your leads, and keep them interested in the long-term. Continue to tweak your tactics to get the best results.
What is your best piece of marketing advice?
