In a recent column for “American Express Open Forum” Ivana Taylor, CEO of Third Force, offered a number of small business marketing tips, including an exhortation to “speak your mind.” By spreading the message that is most important to their businesses, she explains, entrepreneurs can bring their biggest issues to the forefront. She also suggests making sure that the company’s website is updated to reflect the most current deals and events in your marketplace. Here are some other tips Taylor offered:

Start taking social media seriously: “It’s time to stop experimenting and start managing your social media strategy,” she writes. “Create a policy around social media, even if you’re only a one-person operation. Your social media policy should include your objectives for each site and any rules you have around posts, articles, pictures, and so on.”

Get all your customer lists in a single place: By creating a master list, says Taylor, a small business owner can divide customers into categories and figure out the best way to market to each segment.

Create a brand: Even a simple car repair shop needs a name customers are more likely to remember in times of need. After establishing a brand, says Taylor, it may be useful to produce a video to help promote it.

Start a mobile marketing program: Taylor stresses that mobile marketing is one of the fastest growing channels worldwide. “Globally, twice as many people use text messaging as e-mail. Chances are your customers interact more with their PDA than they do with their computer,” she says.

Create a referral system: “Run a referral program that includes regular meetings with people who agree to enthusiastically refer you,” Taylor suggests. “Start by creating a referral guideline that outlines what sets your business apart, profiles your ideal customer, and describes what they might say that should trigger a referral to you.”

Focus on what the customer wants and try to market the product or service to them: Small businesses should have an idea of who their ideal clients are, and do everything in their power to attract them, says Taylor. By profiling the ‘perfect customer’ in detail, she notes, it may become easier to target marketing messages they’re most likely to respond to.

Source: NEBS

Posted August 24th, 2010 under Intellectual Property Marketing

Write a comment