If you’ve been in business for a while, you probably already have a marketing model that is working for you. Or, at least it used to work for you…
There are seven different areas in your business where rethinking and reinvention are possible: Marketing is a great area for innovation and change!
Have things changed in your business and marketing?
- Your audience isn’t reacting to your marketing techniques the way they used to.
- You are bored with your marketing techniques, so you’re not doing them as consistently as you once did, and the quality of your marketing is suffering.
- You’ve become complacent because business is going great, and stopped paying attention to “big picture” strategic marketing planning.
- Your marketing techniques are stale, outdated.
- You’re totally freaked out by the amount of work you have to do, so some things just get put on the back burner, like marketing (and remembering to eat).
Time to shake things up!
Last time I counted, there are over 100 offline and online marketing techniques you can use. There’s one for everyone. Why not try a new marketing technique you haven’t tried yet but have always been curious about?
If you’re feeling the innovation itch, why not combine two techniques into something original and noteworthy?
For instance, could you combine a free, funny bumper sticker giveaway with a contest?
What about combining a free webinar with a SEO using a strong article or blog post, to increase sign-ups and boost your mailing list?
Pick a new technique or combine two! Jazz it up!
Here’s the trick.
Don’t overwhelm yourself with trying to do 20 new marketing techniques at once. Choose one, learn all about it, try it out, track your results, and master that technique. Then do it again with the next new one.
Having an annual marketing plan will help. You could schedule a new marketing technique each quarter, based on your goals and what you’re promoting that quarter.
Maybe it’s time to delegate?
One big reason why seasoned business owners don’t do the level of marketing that they should do is that they simply run out of time and energy. Just because you’re the business owner doesn’t mean you have to be the head of each department.
I know, I know: you’ve heard that you should delegate a million times. Hey, just do it! (Do I have to pester you?) Consider finding someone who can implement some (or all) of your marketing techniques for you, so you can focus on your core competencies, the unique gifts you bring to the world.
Where does your marketing model need a little shaking up?
I think part of the problem is that we kind of “fall asleep” thinking what worked in the past is still working….but it often ain’t so! I find that a key to reinvention is keeping someone nearby to ask how my accountability is doing. And when it is not doing, that is when the wake-up call comes around. In short- accoutability partners, mechanisms, masterminding and good friends can go a long way!
Agreed, Ronnie. We do fall asleep at the wheel of Marketing and forget that our marketing model needs a facelift every once in a while. It keeps our marketing fresh and keeps US fresh, too. 🙂
And of course, you know how I feel about mastermind groups and accountability partners. Having someone who’s paying attention to your biz (and you’re paying attention to their biz, too) is incredibly powerful.
Facelift or kickstart? I’ve been doing some cold calling combined with emails and links to a product website. Amazes me how effective it is just to get out there. But then, we’re still a fledgling company …
Amen, Colleen…getting out there, over and over again, is the name of the game in marketing. Too often people think that they can be passive about their marketing, not putting themselves out there (I won’t go into the psychology of this, but it’s fascinating, eh?). Good for you for reaching out to your audience!
I’ve never found cold calling particularly effective. What response are you getting to your cold calling?
Obtaining email addresses has been a struggle for me, any helpful hints?
Hi, Anne,
Are you talking about building your mailing list? Or obtaining email addresses for targeted email marketing (renting a list, etc.)?
Hi, primarily targeted email marketing, although I am also trying to build my mailing list. Any and all helpful hints appreciated Karyn.
This is a big topic, Anne, but if you’re looking for a reliable place to rent a mailing list, try InfoUSA http://www.infousa.com/ You might be better off running a Facebook or Google ad, targeted specifically to your audience, and offering something for free in return for their email address.