Step #1 Start with Smart Goals

Before you start pouring your blood, sweat, and tears into your business, take a moment to
set some SMART goals.

No, I am not talking about goals that are smarter than the average bear.

SMART stands for:

• Specific
  Make sure your goals are clear and specific
• Measurable
  Set metrics to track your progress.
• Achievable
  Ensure your goals are achievable
• Relevant
  Make sure your goals align with your business objectives
• Time-bound
  Set a timeline for achieving your goals 

Setting SMART goals will help you stay focused on what’s important and will keep you motivated.

Step #2 Identify Your Target Audience

It’s essential to know your target audience to create an effective marketing strategy.

Knowing your target audience is like knowing the lyrics to your favorite song – it’s essential if you want to hit the right notes.

You need to understand who your potential customers are, what they like, what are their pain points, where they hang out, what they’re looking for and much more….

Without this knowledge, you’re just throwing spaghetti at the wall and hoping something sticks.

Create a Buyer Persona

One great way
to get to know your target audience is by creating buyer personas. These are
fictional representations of your ideal customers, based on market research and
real data.

Conduct Market Research

To create
accurate buyer personas, you need to conduct market research. This can include
surveys, focus groups, and analysing competitor data. You’ll learn about your
audience’s pain points, preferences, and what motivates them to buy.

The benefitsof Creating a Buyer Persona

By creating a buyer persona, you can gain a better understanding of your audience’s needs, desires, and pain points.

Armed with this information, you can tailor your marketing efforts to speak directly to their needs.

Think of them as your business’s imaginary friends – the ones that help you make money.

Step#3 Emphasize Your Value Proposition

Imagine
you’re trying to cross a river to get to the other side. Without a bridge or a
boat, it’s impossible! But if you have a bridge or a boat, you can easily reach the other side.

It’s the same with your business. Without a clear value proposition, your
customers won’t know what makes you the best choice. But if you have a good value proposition, it’s like having a bridge or a boat to help you sail across the river and reach success on the other side!

What sets your business apart from the competition?

Maybe you offer a money-back guarantee, or perhaps your product is made with sustainable materials.

Whatever it is, make sure you’re emphasizing your value proposition in your marketing messages.

To get inspired

Here are some great examples of
Value Propositions:

– McDonald’s: “Our food is convenient,
affordable, and always made with fresh ingredients. “

Amazon: “Fast, free shipping and easy returns on millions of items. “

Nike: “We create innovative products that help you reach your full potential. “

Apple: “Our products blend cutting-edge technology with beautiful design. “

Netflix: “We make it easy to watch your favorite movies and shows anytime, anywhere. ”

Walmart: “Low prices every day, on everything. ”

Microsoft: “We empower people and businesses to achieve more. ”

Coca-Cola: “We offer a feeling of happiness with every sip. ”

Hyundai: “We provide cars that are innovative,stylish, safe, and reliable. ”

Domino’s “Pizzadelivered in 30 minutes or it’s free”

FedEx’s “We provide
reliable, quality transport solutions that help customers connect with people and opportunities around the world. “

Step#4 Clear and Compelling Messaging

You know your business inside and out, but does your target audience?

A brand can stand out from the competition by having engaging and clear messaging about themselves and their products.

Additionally, it clearly explains to potential clients what the business does and how its goods / services may help them.

Effective message instils trust in the
customer and promotes brand loyalty by outlining the company’s mission, values, and distinctiveness.

It can also help to create an emotional bond between the client and the brand, building a strong and trusting relationship.

To ensure that potential customers understand the value you offer, make sure your messaging is powerful and clear

Step#5 Use Content Marketing

Content marketing is like the Swiss Army knife of marketing strategies. It can help you generate leads, build brand awareness, and establish your business as a thought leader in your industry.

Create
Compelling Content

To succeed at content marketing, you need to create compelling, high-quality content. This can include blog posts, videos, infographics, and social media posts. The key is to provide value to your audience – whether that’s entertainment, education,or inspiration.

Distribute
Your Content

Creating great content is only half the battle. You also need to distribute it
effectively. This can include sharing it on social media, email marketing,
guest blogging, and even paid advertising.

Step#6 Earned Media/PR

Earned media or PR is the publicity gained through unpaid channels such as free media
coverage of a company, product, or service.

PR and earned
media are like the holy grail of marketing strategies. They can help you gain
exposure, build credibility, and generate buzz around your brand.

Getting your
business featured in the media can be a game-changer.

Earned media
is extremely powerful and effective because it:

·        helps a company to reach its target audience

·        builds credibility

·        increases visibility

 It is also an important factor in boosting
brand reputation, trust, and authority, which helps to create more loyal
customers.

Lastly,
earned media enables brands to engage in a two-way dialogue with their
audience, enabling them to better understand customer needs and preferences,
which can result in more robust, targeted product offerings.

All of these factors ultimately make earned media a valuable tool for companies looking to succeed.

Reach out to journalists and bloggers who cover your industry, and pitch them on why your business is newsworthy.

Step#7 Leverage Word-of- Mouth

Word-of-mouthis the oldest form of marketing in the book – and for good reason. People trust
recommendations from their friends, family, and peers more than they trust
advertising.

Referral
program

To leverage word-of-mouth, you need to encourage referrals. This can include offering incentives for customers who refer new business to you, or simply providing an amazing customer experience that people can’t help but rave about.

Word of mouth is a powerful marketing tool. Launch a referral program to incentivize yourcustomers to refer their friends and family to your business.

Step#8 Personalised Email

Personalized emails have the power to make your target customers feel valued, both through the content and the context. They allow you to show your customers that you are taking the time to craft something uniquely for them, thereby increasing their connection to your brand and the likelihood of a purchase. 

Personalized emails can also be used to market new products and services or inform customers about upcoming promotions. They also allow businesses to develop deeper relationships with customers that are built on trust and credibility.

Personalize your email messages to show your customers you value their business.

Step#9 LinkedIn Connections

LinkedIn is a great platform for making direct connections with potential customers and people within the same industry.

With a few clicks, you can build an expansive network of people that you can connect with and learn from.

LinkedIn is an invaluable resource for professionals looking to learn more about their industry, expand their connections and broaden their knowledge. Its magic lies in the ability to quickly find the people you want to know and reach out to them without having to physically meet them. This saves you money, time and effort!

Use LinkedInto showcase your expertise and connect with others in your industry.

Step#10 FREE Promotional Tools

Every business is a secret and can’t grow, until people know about it.

Having free promotional tools is important for any start-up business as usually small businesses have tight budgets.

Free promotional tools can be used to create brand awareness, generate leads, and build positive relationships with customers.

By using promotional tools such as social media, email marketing, content creation, and search engine optimization, companies can create an effective marketing strategy.

Additionally, businesses can save money and resources by not needing to purchase expensive paid media tools such as TV,radio, or print ads.

Lastly, using free promotional tools enables businesses to take an innovative and creative approach to connecting with their target audience, which can help to significantly increase their brand’s visibility.

And…  Double down on What
Works

If something is working well for your business, don’t be afraid to double down on it.

Maybe you’re seeing great results from social media ads or email marketing. Or maybe webinar is the most effective lead generation tool to attract and convert.

Keep doing what works.

Conclusion

A business without a plan is like a ship without a rudder- it will be aimless, unable to navigate the waters of the market and in danger of eventually sinking. 

Without a clear path to follow, a business risks wasting resources, making mistakes, and missing out on valuable opportunities.

A proper plan helps to focus a business on the best pathways for success.

If you’re starting a business, it’s really important to use proven marketing strategies.
It’s a more efficient and cost-effective way to go than blindly guessing at a
marketing strategy. 

Congratulations!

You have just got a plan to your business success. Simply copy and paste the proven marketing strategies. Once these strategies are tweaked and perfected, you’ll be well on your way to launching and growing your business. Good luck!