Marketing … The life blood of every business

By Leslie R. Wolff, A Marketing & Creative Tactician

I met a former business owner who never had time to spend on marketing, now he does.

Marketing is the process of acquiring customers and keeping them. That’s it, no great mystery, without customers a business does not survive. Without happy, satisfied customers a business does not grow.

Then why are so many business owners so confused about marketing their products and/or services? Why do some in an industry succeed greatly and others barely exist or fail? It is not the lack of capital. It is the failure of understanding what the various elements of marketing are and how they work together. It is the failure to examine all the “troublesome little things” within their business that affect the effort to gain customers and retain them.

How do I ensure a high rate of customer retention? 6 Easy Steps

By Leslie R. Wolff, A Marketing & Creative Tactician

Customers like to know that they are important to you, so create awareness of your interest in their welfare.

It costs 5 times as much to get a new customer as it does to keep the ones you have and a significant multiple of that cost to regain one you lost. It’s a mistake thinking once you landed a client that they will automatically stay with you. It takes as much hard work to keep a customer as it does to acquire one. Customer retention enables you to build a solid
foundation of repeat business, revenue growth and business longevity.

6 Easy steps to have a positive customer retention environment

1. Customer Service – The key aspect of retaining customers is how they feel they are being treated so examine closely what you do and how well you do it. 

Six Ideas to Gain and Retain Customers

Consider the following

• Targeted direct mail is even more effective today considering the onslaught of e-mails facing them each day. Create a response you can measure such as a coupon or a “gift” as an incentive to take an action you desire.
• Generate publicity about your business from special events that benefit a charity via specific purchases made in a certain time period.

Get A P.I.M.P. Working for You

By Leslie R. Wolff, A Marketing & Creative Tactician

Caught your attention didn’t I? That’s the premise in putting a P.I.M.P. (Proprietary Integrated Marketing Platform (or Program) to work for the benefit of your business.

If one is willing to make the effort they can create an approach to their marketing effort that doesn’t focus only on imitating, duplicating or replicating what others do. Surprisingly it’s not that difficult.

“You’ve gotta be original, because if you’re like someone else, what do they need you for.” – Bernadette Peters

So why is it so rare? One aspect is attitude, if one is afraid of leading the way, due to a totally risk averse outlook as it relates to their job function, it will never occur, perhaps until their replacement is hired

Smart Moves To Use If You Are “David Competing Against Goliath”

By Leslie R. Wolff, A Marketing Curmudgeon

You are in a ‘David versus Goliath’ situation when your competition is outspending you in the marketplace? If they have the staff, the money and distribution channels that can play havoc with your best marketing efforts it’s time to outthink, outsmart and outflank them … and it is possible.

“Commonsense in an uncommon degree is what the world calls wisdom.” – Samuel Taylor Coleridge

A fact of smart marketing is understanding the majority of actions to take are based on common sense. And common sense will tell you that there are ways to counteract the efforts of the bigger and more aggressive competitor.

There is no magic formula but there are some smart moves one can make to level the playing field, or in more than a few cases tilt it in your favor. BUT it requires an open mind, one accepting of change, and if you have that you are already ahead of most of your competitors.

Question Your Customer Service Thinking!

Fight the “commoditization” of your business & increase its value to your customer

A Different Perspective
By Leslie R. Wolff, A Marketing Curmudgeon

In an increasingly competitive marketplace it is becoming more difficult to stand out from the competition. What do you do when there exists a 5P’s environment? What are the 5P’s? When a customer’s Perception is that your Product, Price and Performance are on a Parity level with your competition. This is the time to take the step to challenge how you think about your customer. What you learn from this exercise could differentiate your firm from the competition in the eyes of your customer. Pay attention because you need to become an expert in Customer Service. It can be a very profitable situation for you.

Do you know the #1 reason customers leave vendors?

Thoughts for a Leader – Part II

Smart Thinking … A Different Perspective

By Leslie R. Wolff, A Marketing Curmudgeon

Customer’s Focus

“In order to get people to sit-up and take notice of you, you have to sit-up and take notice of what makes people sit-up and take notice” –Frank Roemer

What is the customer or prospect most interested in? Themselves! Understanding this is the basis of the WIIFM Factor, which impacts heavily on purchasing decisions. It stands for the question – “What’s in it for me?” A simple question, but how it is answered can dramatically affect the bottom line. Too often it’s ignored or overlooked in a corporate environment that focuses on features of their products or services rather than the benefits. Viewing your business from the customer’s perspective will always give you a competitive edge in the marketplace.

“If you give something worth paying for, they’ll pay.” – Thomas J. Peters

Originality

The Japanese market for foreign EC providers is right at the booming time!

Guest Post by Tadao Mochizuki
Website: http://www.speedex.ne.jp/en/

Japanese market is characterized in that there are no religious taboos and that the Japanese people have the capacity to accept unique and high-quality products and services.  Furthermore, the yen exchange rate remains at a record high level.  To take advantage of the strong yen, consumers trying to purchase inexpensive products coming from the United States and European countries are increasing in Japan. The only barrier for Japanese customers to reach your product is : the language.

Read more to earn cross-border EC customers in Japan:
http://www.speedex.ne.jp/en/

Thoughts for a Leader – Part 1

Smart Thinking … A Different Perspective

By Leslie R. Wolff, A Marketing Curmudgeon

“Leadership is action, not position – Donald H. McGannon

Motivation

“I praise loudly; I blame softly.”– Catherine II

A true leader knows that in order to move forward all the members of their team needs to feel they count, that their effort is not only recognized, but also appreciated. Research has shown praise given sincerely is far more successful motivator of people than cash or material rewards. A combination of both can be a ‘home run.”

“We all are imbued with the love of praise.”– Cicero

Attitude

How Communications Technology Hurt Your Business Relationships

By Leslie R. Wolff, A Marketing Curmudgeon

A Different Perspective

No this is not an anti technology diatribe, rather it is an effort to have you think about how you use it and whether what you do truly benefits you and your company.

Relationships are based on mutual respect and mutual interest that can provide over a period of time mutual benefits. Do you have that in mind or do you simply use technology as a way to “drown” your client in your communications to the point they turn a “deaf” ear and “blind” eye to your message(s)? If you have no interest in building relationships, do
your employer a favor and go to work for the competition.

A key aspect of building relationships is showing respect you have for your customer or prospect’s time. Technology has given us the capability to do more, but “more” is neither always better nor effective or cost efficient.