Dale Berkebile cited as Expert in Sales Techniques & Viral Marketing.
Posted by Dale Berkebile on Tue, Oct 27, 2009
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Janice Park, ICT Entrepreneur
, named Dale Berkebile of Brandwise- Expert in Sales Techniques and Viral Marketing. Janice posted this question to the people using LinkedIn.
Marketing is essential
to thriving during
tough times. Why?
Can you provide practical tips and ideas to boost your marketing and sales?
How do you draft an action plan for your business?
How to apply cost effective marketing methods e.g. mobile, email, online and word of mouth
Dale's Answer to this Question:
This was selected as Best Answer
Janice,
This is a great question that I am sure many non marketing/design
companies have been asking for months. You have already gotten some
great answers from some smart people, but I will add my thoughts as
well.
Marketing needs to be thought of as an investment in the success of
your company - not as an expense. An annual budget should be developed
and it should be looked at as a necessity similar to an internet
connection, a phone line or an email account. Without any of these
items your business will seriously start to lose customers or never be
able to find customers in the first place.
Consistent ongoing marketing should always be done, and it can really kill
the effects of a recession. I'm not saying you will not feel the slow
down at all, but by marketing regularly, you will head out of the
recession quicker then non-marketing companies. You will also keep more
current customers, get new customers that see you are doing well and be
in the minds of prospects that are not ready to move. By hitting
clients and prospects on a regular basis, you are staying in front of
them and hitting them when the need arises.
Even if a prospect likes you and thinks they want to use you, it is
only when the pain that you solve hits that they will be looking again.
Basically, the first person that crosses their path in this time of
need is going to be getting the business. This is a big part of the
reason to market regularly.
The other thing regular marketing does, is it builds brand
awareness. Let's stay the prospect does not have an immediate need
right now, but a friend says they are in need of your service. If your
mailer, ad, e-mailer just landed on their desk they will remember you
as the fix to this problem.
You do however need to understand your target and how to market
effectively so that you can get the defined results you are looking
for. That is why as others have mentioned you need a business plan
defining the direction you are taking your company and marketing plan,
strategy or plan of attack to launch any campaign.
You will need to understand your (most profitable) customers first
before you choose the medium to use (mobile, email etc.). We have a
program we call the BrandExpand process to help companies go through
and implement such needs. See the links below to learn more about this
stuff.
Best of luck on the campaign of your choice!
Links:
Click here to see the actual posting of this answer and rating.
Dale Berkebile cited as Expert in Sales Techniques and Viral Marketing.
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