Pop quiz:
What’s one thing every startup, small business, home-based business and mega-corporation has in common?
They need a solid marketing plan to succeed.
Promoting your product — to users, buyers, potential clients and partners — is the key to just about every business’ success, regardless of industry, business model, size or target market.
And sure, marketing strategies might differ greatly between, say, a small ice cream store and a fast-growing tech startup, but the need to promote and sell is quite similar — and so is the process of creating a marketing plan, executing a strategy and measuring your results. Without a little hustle, sales may drop off or disappear altogether.
Below, we’ve assembled some of our best small business and startup resources on marketing your company — even if the thought of passing out flyers makes you cringe:
Develop a marketing strategy
- Use this handy checklist of 12 things EVERY marketing plan should cover (regardless of your business type)
- Craft a plan that includes elements of ‘traditional’ marketing AND social media
- Remember: If you really want to sell more, then you have to educate your customers as part of your marketing strategy.
Identify marketing opportunities
- Personal AND company branding are integral to marketing — learn about how to create a startup brand (in 4 parts)
- Get better at selling yourself in-person during networking events with these 16 quick, ick-free networking tips
- Don’t shy away from creative local marketing too, from coupons to breakfast meetings
- Finally, remember that marketing doesn’t have to cost you — check out 15 inexpensive marketing strategies that every business owner can afford.
Reconsider your “public relations” strategy
- Avoid making these PR blunders when you pitch members of the press
- If you’re going to create content yourself, blog smart or don’t blog at all
- Finally, a question: Is your strategy for getting press totally outdated? One YEC member thinks it might be.
Don’t forget to measure your results.
- Why market at all if you have no intention of measuring your results? Here are 5 elements to measure, NOW
- Most important — and often overlooked — to find out how well you’re REALLY doing, ask your customers
- Conversion is key — so track your online leads from the moment they enter your sales funnel.
Ready to dive deeper? Check out our most recent Sales & Marketing articles for advice from other entrepreneurs on everything from buyer personas to crafting the perfect landing-page copy.
P.S. Finally, remember YOU are your company’s best marketing asset: here’s how to network with absolutely anyone. (Seriously, anyone.)
