As 2014 winds down and the New Year approaches, how would you rate your marketing efforts over this last year?
For some business owners and those who specialize in the marketing arena, marketing can be a tricky little to-do on their regular agendas.
On the one hand, some companies have found their marketing budgets being cut back in recent years, thereby making it difficult to spread the word about their brand. On the flip side, some companies have the funds available to market, yet they honestly don’t know how to go about it properly.
No matter which camp you might find yourself in, the New Year provides a great opportunity to start fresh, allowing you to refocus your efforts on better marketing your brand first and foremost.
Who Are We Marketing To?
First and foremost, what your product and/or services are goes a long way in determining how you market it.
Before you send out your first email blast, mobile marketing message, ad or promotion, research the audience you are most interested in targeting.
If you sell sports products/services mainly geared towards men, don’t automatically assume that marketing to women is a waste of time. For example, the NFL does a ton of marketing that is directed in the direction of female football fans. The same can be said for products and services mainly targeted to women. Their husbands and boyfriends could be go targets as they may be looking to buy such products and services for their loved ones.
Know Your Audience and Their Needs
If you’re in the business of financial loans, you have a large audience with which to market to.
Face it; today’s challenge economy for many Americans presents opportunities for those in the loan business.
Companies such as TitleBucks and other such loan providers are able to market their products for those in need of title loans, title pawns, signature loans and personal loans.
Stop and think about it; there are many consumers in today’s financial world that can use such products. The key is to marketing to them in a manner that is both professional and cordial.
Some consumers who need loans are a little bit embarrassed to admit to needing financial assistance. They may decide that turning to family and friends is not an option, so they reach out to a professional loan company.
In order to best market and work with them, don’t over indulge them in marketing messages but do simple follow ups to gauge their level of interest. They may have reached out to your loan business or someone who knows them did it for them. Either way, don’t come across as pushy and spam them with multiple inquiries about providing them a loan.
Whether you are marketing to sports fans, people in need of financial assistance, those looking for some outside entertainment etc., do it in a way that is beneficial to both your business and the consumer.
Remember, without the consumer to purchase your products and services, who in turn would you have to market to at the end of the day?