Give Your Marketing a Good Workout For the New Year!

Every January 2nd, countless Americans flock to the gym in the hopes of becoming more physically fit. With New Year’s resolutions fresh on the mind and goals clearly set, folks are pumped (literally) to begin treating their bodies better in the New Year. Some may fall short of their goals, but many will achieve the success for which they will work so hard by creating a plan for proper training, guidance and diligence, and then implementing that plan.

As the start of a new business year, January is also the perfect time to kick off a new marketing strategy with fresh vigor and renewed efforts. But how do you determine what kind of strategy will best revitalize your current marketing and allow you to reach your goals?

If you are a company that provides a product or service that is defined as “at need” (something that consumers only seek  when they are faced with a pending need or solution) you may especially be feeling the aches and pains of tough economic times. You may have discovered that the traditional marketing tactics, such as paid advertising, are no longer effective for growing your businesses. To be successful against the competition, it is vital to take a look at how you are “going to market”  to keep your company in the best shape possible. What is the smartest strategy to maintain a healthy business and remain in front of current and potential clients? Monthly marketing communications is the key!

We suggest a strategy that, much like a good fitness routine, is based on balance, strength, endurance and flexibility. Merging all four will allow you to adapt a healthy marketing plan that is destined to bring your business success!

Check out these 6 tips sure to deliver high-impact results!

Step up on the scale.

When you want to lose weight, you need to know your starting weight in order to discern if efforts are proving successful. The same goes for business. The first step to a high-impact marketing campaign is to honestly assess where your business currently stands and how far you need to go in order to reach goals. Give your business a “baseline marketing health assessment” to clarify how it stacks up to competition in the marketplace. Make sure you honestly evaluate who the company is, what it offers and how it compares to the competition. Also think about how the public perceives your business (otherwise known as your brand) and what challenges you might have in marketing it.

Determine your workout routine.

Every good fitness regimen needs a plan. Similarly, every good marketing strategy needs a plan of attack, and in today’s challenged economy it is more important than ever to adapt a specific strategy for your marketing. The one we recommend for “at need” businesses involves creating monthly marketing touches and reaching out to those who are current users of your product or service, those who currently refer and those who have the power to  be a referral source.  Reach out to the right people, continually over time, and you will create a strong and enduring business that will be remembered.

Work out regularly, and on a schedule.

Exercise has to be done consistently in order to achieve results. The same is true with marketing. Consistency in brand and messaging and consistency in targeted communications to the right people, over time, will be your biggest key to success. In order to build a healthy network of clients in today’s downturned economy, your business must apply the same established marketing messages across a multitude of marketing channels. What does this mean?

Established marketing messages + communicating them in a variety of ways (Web, direct mail, eNewsletters, PR) + communicating consistently (at least once a month!) = You are remembered  when it counts!

Hire a personal trainer.

You do not instinctively know how to tackle problem areas of your body. The same is true for your business.  Receiving the right kind of guidance and remaining motivated to succeed can help you reach your goals faster and more efficiently.  

Enlist the services of a personal trainer for your business, a professional agency like corecubed, to offer strategic planning for your business. A good agency should be able to create a strategic plan that meets your needs, targets the marketplace and sells your services. A good agency will  keep your budget in mind and help you prioritize your marketing efforts. A good agency will monitor and oversee your marketing or can  actually implement your marketing (though there’s little chance your personal trainer will do your workouts FOR you)!

corecubed has created and maintained many successful monthly marketing campaigns for clients across the country - these campaigns include direct mail, Web marketing, eNewsletters and public relations. Investing in a professional for marketing assistance is a decision you won’t regret!

Rally a support group.

If you were losing weight or getting in shape, you might let your friends and family know so they could offer you valuable support and motivation. A successful marketing campaign can also benefit from the support of “family”. Involving the entire staff in your new monthly marketing program will ensure its longevity and success. Staff can assist in measurement and tracking and be an integral part in carrying out marketing efforts.

Mix it up!

In addition to the standard marketing necessities (branding, business identity, etc.), a company’s marketing workout should also include a handful of tactics that will serve as high-intensity business boosters. Like a heart-racing round of cardio, a company Web site can be a robust tool by adding Web resources on a regular basis and updating information that is pertinent to those who are seeking assistance with the business’s products or services. Networking is also a necessity with an added bonus of showcasing the new muscles the company is sporting as it grows. Flexibility is evident if the company can add in new marketing items, such as sponsorships, awards, media relations, and educational presentations. And endurance, sticking to a plan, is the assurance that the goals will be met and success achieved.

If you are a business looking to create an effective marketing workout plan, contact a member of our corecubed team! We’ll help you craft a plan to boost your business into tip-top marketing shape!

If you need assistance with creating a customer appreciation system for your business, let corecubed help. Our team of seasoned experts can help you craft a campaign that integrates with your current marketing efforts and shows your clients just how much they are valued. We can also create the accompanying correspondence materials such as postcards, greeting cards or e-cards that can be used to communicate your thanks.

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