STOP WASTING MARKETING TIME & MONEY

• STOP WASTING MARKETING TIME & MONEY
• There is one element of marketing that could make a huge difference to your business but is largely forgotten by business owners. It’s a small detail that could make a big difference and enable you to gain more business with less effort. This is something we use for clients in my marketing and public relations business and it’s also a skills development course on our on-line marketing resource (Underdog Marketing).
  
  It’s so simple but often overlooked. Plus, this concept is taught in the University Master of Marketing degree, but we have re-formulated it to suit small business needs. There are six elements that must be included in any marketing plan to give you the greatest chance of success.
  
  We have called it CRISSE©
  
  In every marketing plan, include communication with people in these six categories;

Customers
Referrers
Influencers
Suppliers
Society
Employees

Customers – most businesses focus on customers and clients, which is fine, but there are five other areas that can greatly increase your market share and public profile

Referrers – clearly, people who can refer business to you. Current and past customers, friends, networking affiliates, etc. Market to them and ask them for their support I referring business to you.

Influencers – different from referrers, these people actually wield influence to the way people think of and interact with your business. Your local Mayor or President of the Chamber of Commerce? They may not be a customer, they may never have used your business, but they can influence other people’s feelings about your business; market yourself and your business to them in a positive manner.

Suppliers – this is possibly the most under-utilised segment. Suppliers interact with you regularly and have the capacity to refer and influence business. Don’t see this segment as JUST a supplier; she them as a partner in promoting your business.

Society – if you work in the community, support charities, or have a philanthropic role, then market that as a positive component of your business. I don’t mean outright bragging and showing off, but allow this part of your business to be a marketing tactic. Many customers and potential customers, will value a business that cares about it’s community.

Employees – can be your BEST ambassadors. Internal public relations will be the subject of another blog, but never treat your staff worse than your clients. Treat your staff as valued and empowered people. Share your (appropriate) fears and your dreams with them; tell them and show them how they can help you, and they will take that message far and wide. Treat them badly and they will take that message far and wide too.

Marketing isn’t just about paid advertising. In fact, that’s only one small tactic of a competent and wide-reaching marketing plan. You CAN market your business on a budget and reap huge rewards. CRISSE© is just one leading-edge strategy.

For more, sign up for free up-dates or join global members of the Underdog Marketing Challenge – a 12-step mentored marketing program that’s interactive, on-line, dynamic and it WORKS! You can easily develop great skills to increase the market share of YOUR business and sky rocket your profile.

Good luck implementing this simple tip. Another hot tip is to join Ecademy where 200,000 professional business people meet - check my profile for more details. Cheers, Penelope