Marketing - The Top List
of Eight TIPS

Volume V, Issue 2
ISSN: 1547-7754
July 2007
printable version

Chris King, Editor
By subscription only, this monthly e-newsletter is loaded with short, "down and dirty" tips to help you with solving the everchanging and growing puzzle of the Internet. This e-zine serves as a place to ask your questions and find the answers. So, send me your burning questions.

The Czechoslovakian writer Milan Kundera said, “Business has only two functions - marketing and innovation.” I am not sure that I agree with him completely, but I do know the importance of both, so am devoting this Internet Tips E-zine to Marketing and my “Top List of Eight Marketing Tips.”

It doesn’t matter whether or not you have a great idea, an on-line or off-line business, a terrific product, and/or a new website, you must market if you want others to know about you. It is no longer enough to be offering “a better mousetrap.” Marketing is not selling – although it can lead to that. Marketing is using a variety of methods to let others know what we have to offer.

TIP #1. Embrace the mindset of a marketer.
There are many business owners – on-line and off-line – who develop the attitude that they hate marketing. If we decide that we are going to love it and learn ways to successfully let others know how wonderful our businesses are, we can develop an enthusiasm that will propel us and our businesses forward.

TIP #2. Pick your target market (or niche).
One of the biggest errors we can make as business people is to try to market to everyone. By focusing on a specific group, we will be able to personalize our marketing message(s) and form lasting relationships with our clients and potential clients. It doesn’t mean that we can’t sell to someone outside our target market. It just means that we have focus.

TIP #3. Choose a mentor/expert to follow.
There are so many excellent marketing experts on the Internet, that if we keep picking a new guru every time we are offered the opportunity, we will quickly run out of funds and also lose direction. What has worked the most effectively for me is to attend teleseminars and visit websites until I found a few that I trust to teach me the way.

TIP #4. Make a strategic marketing plan.
There is a plethora of ways to market your business and yourself. The more planning you do – following your expert’s advice – the more successful you will be. You can network, send out an e-newsletter, send out Press Releases (in print and digitally), give presentations, send direct mail, etc. It is fine to list many techniques, but let’s go to the next TIP.

TIP #5. Begin by focusing on only one, two or three marketing techniques.
It is easy to become scattered and start trying every different marketing technique that comes along. I suggest picking the one or two that fit your strengths. I started with an information website and a text-based e-newsletter. Then, I moved on to articles and sharing articles. Now, I am networking in groups and planning to give presentations to those and other groups. Get comfortable and excellent with each form of marketing.

TIP #6. Determine what problem(s) you are solving.
Again, this is where knowing your target market is so important. What is or are their major problems? What solutions do you provide that solve these problems? The most important fact that we must remember when marketing to others is that they are not as interested in us and how we do what we do as they are in WIIFM – What’s In It For Me.

TIP #7. Create and re-create your collateral material.
Once you have reached this stage, start creating your printed material, your website, your elevator speech (also known as audio logo), your e-newsletters, your executive bio, and more. This is a never-ending endeavor, because as your know-how and business continue to grow, you will be changing and updating your material constantly.

TIP #8. Take ACTION!
We can plan and plan, think and think, and talk and talk, but until we go ahead and ACT, nothing will happen. Remember, that not everything you try will be perfect. Some techniques will work and others won’t. The whole idea is to keep on keeping on. The day will arrive when you will start enjoying the act of marketing!

Have a terrific and productive month!

Do send your comments and questions to me at chris@creativekeys.biz. I love to receive feedback and will answer your questions in future e-zines.

If you would like to subscribe to this e-zine and receive five free Internet tips, send an e-mail to subscribe@creativekeys.biz with subscribe in the subject line. If you ever wish to be removed from the mailing list, just send an e-mail to unsubscribe@creativekeys.biz with unsubscribe in the subject line.