Marketing is everything these days. You can have the most innovative product or compelling service, but if customers do not know you exist, or they don’t know how your product or service solves a real problem for them, your brand will fail. It is important for entrepreneurs to understand the basics of marketing right at the beginning.
What is marketing?
Although it is often confused with sales, marketing utilizes research, advertising, and customer service to promote a business, service, or product across multiple channels. Therefore, a sound familiarity with marketing is important for any business.
The issue today is that there are so many “marketing gurus” and an abundance of information that is not always resourceful to small brands or start-ups. We have put together a list of useful marketing tips for anyone wanting to grow a reputable brand.
Convey a value-based message.
Unfortunately, it is not enough to tell consumers how “great” you are. How “great” your service is or how “amazing” your product is. All that says is – you have nothing unique. Clearly convey what your brand is all about. Think about the “so-what” and ensure you give your customers a value-based answer.
Stay away from using too much marketing jargon or terminology that the average Joe won’t understand. You should be able to explain your brand to someone in the simplest of terms.
Plan, plan, plan.
It is obviously necessary to have passion, however, one needs to also have a plan. Develop a strong plan A, B, and C. The more you plan ahead of failure, away from failure, the more your chances at succeeding.
“Be consumer focused and don’t just speak it – live it”
Bronson Mokabela – Founder & Managing Director at Digigage Sports & Entertainment.
Network smarter.
Start forging connections with key people, other brand owners who have succeeded in growing their businesses. Get to know them and their business on a one-to-one basis, this is more productive than trying to network in a large group.
Do not be afraid to give more.
More often than not, there is a fear among entrepreneurs to give away insights, expertise, and strategies. Many feel this will diminish the demand for their brand. However, By sharing insights, your consumers will see the real value and always wonder what more they can get from you, so they will always come back. If they are not a real customer yet- they will see the value in becoming one.
The devil is in the details.
It’s always a good thing to have a strong understanding of your industry, competition, and demographics. Read up on the latest trends and know the data behind what works and what does not.
Have a comprehensive understanding of your own product or service and be able to communicate that well.
“Don’t make assumptions, unless they are backed up by research”
Bronson Mokabela – Founder & Managing Director at Digigage Sports & Entertainment.
Have a strong social media strategy.
This goes without saying- social media is designed to engage with your market and communicate your message. Each social media platform exists to serve a distinct purpose for your brand’s needs.
This includes email marketing- which is an essential part of your business. Whether you are selling a product or offering a service, whether you are an influencer, a writer, or a content creator- email marketing is a helpful marketing channel.
You might have the best product or service, however, if no one knows about it-it might as well not exist- how you ensure that people know about your brand, is through marketing.
