Markeing,especially in today's uncertain economy can be at the very least, a "hair
pulling experience."  Some of us don't even have any hair left to pull.  Here
are some tips that I found to be "standards in the industry" that will work if
you follow through. These tips in and if you don't you should.  I hope you find
these useful.Marketing, especially in today's uncertain economy can be at the
very least, a "hair pulling experience."  Some of us don't even have any hair
left to pull.  Here are some tips that I found to be "standards in the industry"
that will work if you follow through. These tips
Listen To The Customer


Understand what your customer needs.  Look through what they are saying and
help build a relationship to gain value in their growth.  If you don't
understand your customer, how are you going to help them?   Don't say "We can do
that" when in fact you really can't.


Know your Market or Vertical


Nothing is worse than going to market and committing
business suicide because you dont' know who you are selling to.  Select your
customers you wish to target, study that vertical they are in, manage your
customers professionally.  If you don't know their business make-up, how can you
expect to be of any value to them?


Connect


You must have
ties with your customers, with your vendors or distributors, and with your
staff.  Everyone must be in your playbook if you want that home run, touchdown,
or winning basket. You are developing a relationship that you want for years to
come.  If you are looking for a one stop sale, you can stop reading now.


Growth Emergence


I am going to use this term in the context of your
competition.  It can be used as a global experience but most of you are focused
on your local market growth and your competition.   The term "I don't need to
worry about what my competition is doing." is insane.  Always watch your market
and see who is playing in it. As your vertical grows, your customer base  grows
and if you're not in that circle, you need to find out why.  What is your
competition doing? Are they getting a  larger pieces of that pie?  If so, why?
An example I can use here is health care.  This is a huge vertical right now.
Marketing to this industry is  on fire right now.


Value


Every customer wants value.  they want to know their ROI
with you.  What is your value statement?  Is it clear and concise to your
customers?  Do they know doing business with you is going to not only going to
help grow their business but it will bring value to them and save them money? 
If they don't understand this why should they do business with you?


Short term-Long Term Investments


How you position yourself in the market place as far as
investing in your business in this present day economy is tricky. Some look for
the short-term due to uncertainty in the business climate  yet you can
short-change yourself if you don't look at the big picture down the road.  I can
say this.  If you don't do some investing in the tools of your trade for things
like lead generation, CRM software and support, you are setting yourself up for
a long and difficult climb.


I hope the above mentioned items will be of some help to you.  Check out my
web site, Facebook site, and Twitter feeds for more information.  Thanks!