How to do Marketing

The key to doing marketing is simple, and yet I see it as the most crucial part of any business. It’s just as important in helping a business grow, to make sure that your marketing strategies are continually changing.

You need to adapt and change with the times and what you have at your disposal. You may not be able to adapt to change all the time, but you can do the best you possibly could. Being competitive doesn’t mean losing out on the opportunities that come your way. If you want to stand out you have to keep up with every move. So how would you like to know that you should be doing marketing?
1. Determine who is going to be using your products or services. Who will benefit from your product or service?

Determining those who will benefit from your sales or sales can make all the difference. Why? Because this person has something in mind when they buy your products or service. For example if someone wanted a new pair of running shoes then they might ask for my company’s brands or products. And because I will help them figure out exactly how this fits into their lives and plans. These are the types of people I will be creating a marketing strategy around.

2. Decide on your customer value proposition (CVP). What do customers get that you are missing?

Your CVP is what stands between you and potential customers buying into your brand so much that they are willing to pay more. Your customer value proposition (CVP) is what makes prospective buyers think that you have a solution or that you offer something valuable. In other words, your CVP is the promise you make that has a definite answer for them. This is key because this allows you to take the guesswork out of selling and make potential people aware that you are trying to provide something valuable.

3. Assess your competitor’s performance. How are your competitors serving the same consumers as you?

Most companies run very similar businesses in many ways. That said these similarities also include things such as market size, competitor analysis, cost, and distribution channels. As a result of knowing where your competition is leading, you can use that information to work toward making changes that better serve your target audience.

4. Analyze your current customer base and learn about how your competition is doing their campaigns. Are you providing enough content? Are your campaigns engaging customers? Have the highest return rates? Are your products/services being promoted well? When comparing your competitors, look for similarities and differences in each campaign. Use the data you gather from both campaigns to determine which of their elements are working best.

5. Consider where your business currently stands in comparison to the next best-in-class players. Find out what makes them tick and use that data to help your small business reach its goals. See what makes them stay afloat and compare how yours stands with others. By understanding how your competitors are doing in your category, you can begin to refine your marketing strategies.

6. Create an effective marketing plan for your small business. Don’t overthink it. Develop a comprehensive plan for your small business that includes a list of specific needs of your business. Then create some ideas. Start by brainstorming ideas as you develop your strategy. Remember, your big picture goal is to increase revenue, however each small detail has to fit into your overall goal. Write down everything you already know about your industry or your competitors and write them down again. Try to add in a few extra details. For example your competitor is now offering discounts online. Try to determine and capture all the details about this discount, your competitor’s pricing policies, etc. Create lists of questions that arise when you aren’t clear on the details. Examples of questions might include: “My competitors’ offers are usually a little cheaper compared to ours. Can I still try to compete by giving more discounts?” and “What kinds of promotional materials best match our budget?” By answering these questions, you will have your own internal toolbox to work from when it comes to developing your marketing strategy.


7. Once you have the basic ideas in place, start building them. Make lists, brainstorm ideas, and have fun with it. Build a marketing strategy from scratch. If you have a lot of ideas then leave space for the day or two to take your brain off of the game and have fun. Continue to do this until your marketing strategy becomes a top priority. Take note: if an idea isn’t something you have thought of before, don’t worry too hard about it. Just remember, your ideas will come along for the ride and it may not be obvious at first.

8. After you have done your research, make a decision as to whether or not to go through with it. You have to choose to take action. You have to decide to put an ad on Facebook or take advantage of LinkedIn. While there are pros and cons to either method they each have different advantages and disadvantages. Ultimately you need to use your best judgment and decide what works best for your business. Most important take each step in your process seriously and follow through with how much of an impact each decision will have on your business.

9. Now it is time to actually do your marketing! Spend no longer than 30 minutes a week or even a couple hours a month on marketing! Research, develop, and execute a plan that makes sense for your business. Put yourself in your buyer’s shoes and imagine what it’s like to be looking at the product/service and realizing that they need your product or service. Think back to your initial conversation with your buyer (or potential buyer) regarding why they chose to buy from you. Next, find a way to communicate your unique selling point to them. Finally, take that opportunity to tell someone else or yourself about your product/service. Keep reminding yourself that when you do that, many times it won’t happen right away. But your brand values are worth fighting for. That is where a lot of marketing will begin to pay off. Ask yourself this simple question when thinking about how to do marketing: What impact do my customers make me? What do my brand values mean for the success of my business?