One of our favourite quotes is:
To change your circumstances, you need to change your thinking and subsequent actions.
As a business owner it’s so easy to blame the economy, the government, the budget – anything other than ourselves for our business performing badly. You can keep telling yourself business will pick up when the warmer weather comes, when the mortgage rates drop, when the country is run by politicians who know what they’re doing – or you can change your thinking and take the necessary actions required to get your business back on track.
It’s all too easy to stick to the tried and tested marketing techniques you’ve been using for years on the premise that they’ve worked before and telling yourself it’s better to stick with what you know, but there are 7 big marketing mistakes you company may be making which you need to change today.
1. Using the same campaigns and marketing methods you’ve used for years.
We can’t even begin to tell you how many business owners we’ve met that have insist on using the same marketing strategies they used over a decade ago and then have the nerve to wonder why they’re not getting the results they’d hoped for. Sure you’re marketing campaign might have been hugely successful in 2004, but it doesn’t mean those techniques will yield the same results 10 years later. It’s important to move with the times.
2. Believing that once the website is complete you can cross off your list.
Think of a website like an indoor plant, if you don’t regularly take care of it, inevitably it will die. Just because you’ve the added the last full stop and spell checked the copy, doesn’t mean your website is finished. It will always be a work in progress. You can add extra copy on current pages, revamp a page title, promote a new offer, and even remove sections that aren’t generating traffic. Your website will always be a work in progress.
3. Thinking social media sites is for people who have too much time on their hands
If you’re baffled by technology, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube can all be a bit overwhelming. It doesn’t take a lot to film satisfied customers on your smartphone, upload it to YouTube and then share the link of your website and social media channels.
4. Sticking to what you know
If you never step out of your comfort zone, how will you ever learn about new ways to expand your business or network new people from a variety of industries that may be able to scratch your back, if you scratch their back?
5. Neglecting to utilise past client information
Get on the phone and contact all those customers you’ve not touched base with in the last six months. Employ a telemarketer if you have to, but the best way to boost sales is through repeat business.
6. Trying to do everything yourself
Chances are as a business owner your background is in the goods or services you are providing, not graphic design, marketing strategies, branding or advertising. Concentrate on what you specialise in and for everything else – outsource it to a professional.
7. No involvement in the community
Community involvement through charity is a great way to promote your business in your local neighbourhood without having to advertising or use hard-selling tactics. You could organise to collect Christmas gifts for families in need during the festive season or have your staffs helping out by serving free sausages at a community event. The possibilities are endless.
If you’ve been using the same tried and tested marketing strategies or haven’t updated your business website for a while, talk to XDesigns Advertising about bringing your business into the 21st century.
