- A Broad Definition of Marketing
- The 4 P's of Marketing
- Why You Need To Market
- 10 Common Marketing Methods
And more new tips and information always being added to this list.
A Broad Definition of Marketing
Marketing consists of all activities designed to generate and facilitate any exchange intended to satisfy human needs or wants. More simply put in business terms, activities designed to plan, price, promote and distribute products or services to target markets.
Marketing is a fact of life. There are so many businesses in so many categories, how will you persuade potential customers to come to you?
To make people aware of your business, products or services and convince them to buy.
Product - the products or services you offer and are they unique, superior, easier to use.
Price - how much to sell your products for, based on your cost and value to potential customers.
Promotion - communicating to potential customers to create an awareness of your business.
Place - your business location and methods of distributing your products.
Marketing is your method of communicating to people that your company, product or service exists. It' no use having the best product in the world if nobody knows about it or about you.
Typical Arguments For Not Marketing
Nice Problems To Have
- I'll alert my competitors to what I'm doing.
- I don't want to grow too fast.
- I might look to successful.
- I don't want to get more business than I can handle.
- If your competitors are doing their homework, they already know what you're doing.
- Your business won't grow at all if you don't market it in some form.
- Would you rather look unsuccessful?
- An abundance of customers is usually better than no customers.
There are many methods of marketing, from simple to elaborate and from inexpensive to extremely costly. All or only some of these may be applicable to your business, but you can choose the ones that are and create a powerful marketing strategy. The following list outlines some common marketing and communication methods used by millions of businesses to reach their potential customers:
- Print advertising in newspapers, magazines, business journals, community newsletters, etc.
- Developing sales flyers, brochures or newsletters for distribution to potential customers.
- Attend trade shows or exhibitions related to your industry, product or business.
- Press releases and public service announcements in newspapers. Usually free and good exposure.
- Cooperative marketing efforts (in advertising, etc) with a business that compliments yours.
- Join community networking groups like your local chamber of commerce or business committee.
- Join professional associations through your industry, business or personal credentials.
- Internet marketing is an exciting and inexpensive method of regional, national or global marketing.
- Telemarketing to potential customers off a list or out of the telephone book.
- Direct marketing with written correspondence using a list to mail or fax marketing literature.