Guest post by Michelle Strassburg (learn more about Michelle at the end of this post) Winning new customers is often easier than keeping them. Not too dissimilar from other types of relationship business or personal you must work hard on the relationship to make sure the other party is content. When it comes to retaining customers, keeping the other party content will directly … [Read more...]
The Marketing Mix Made Easy to Understand and Use
While creating your annual marketing plan, using a combination of elements (4 from the marketing mix) is the key to success. The marketing mix contains four elements. The combination of the four elements is used to satisfy consumer needs and company goals, stimulate consumer interest, and generate sales. 1. Product/Service - what are you trying to sell? 2. Price - … [Read more...]
How to deal with complaints
Recently I wrote about Ex-Virgin Blue employee Torsten Koerting who designed a board game using Virgin Blue branding that criticises his former employer’s decision-making process. … [Read more...]
Quick Marketing Tips for Steady and Long Term Growth
With today's marketplace so cluttered, business owners have to differentiate themselves from the rest of the bunch. Continue reading to learn some of the fastest ways to market your business in a cluttered market. All marketing material images and tones should coincide with your brand. Website, postcards, mission statement, slogan, brochures, newsletters, letters, press … [Read more...]
Five Sure-Fire Ways to Irritate Your Prospects
I am a hot weather person—can’t tolerate cold, or even chilly, and love hot whether it’s dry or steamy. Yet every summer, when the outdoor temperature finally gets comfortable for me, I have to deal with the battle of the air conditioners. Yesterday I walked to lunch in gorgeous weather for mid-summer—82 degrees, slight breeze—from my perspective it was perfect. The … [Read more...]
Breaking Through the Language Barrier
I spent the weekend working a Latino Rodeo and Festival at the fairgrounds. Good thing I paid attention in Señora Alarid’s class, otherwise I’d been more overwhelmed than I was. I was in charge of getting the folks (who paid a GOOD price to get into the festival) to sign up para la rifa del carro (for the car raffle) on Sunday. I pieced it all together and even remembered a … [Read more...]
Creating Systems to add Value to your Customers
I heard the good news yesterday that a friend and her husband's company is in the midst of a $600 million buyout. Over the years I've seen how they have navigated through major challenges in what their products are, how they capture consumer interest, their market share, and their distribution channels, and I'm inspired (and at the same time amazed and a little awed by) their … [Read more...]
The Importance of Networking in a Down Economy
I think by now we have all accepted the fact that our economy is in crisis and there is not an immediate panacea to catapult us back to financial stability. Every day we hear of more businesses going bankrupt and laying off employees. Perhaps you are lucky enough to be employed or own your own business. Even if you are currently unemployed, now is the time to get out there … [Read more...]