2017 is well underway and it's hard to believe a month has nearly passed by. So, I ask you, how is your marketing plan performing? <crickets> Are you doing any marketing and, if so, how do you even think of spending money without a plan?
Ok, I understand as a typical small business owner you wear many hats. You're out there every day, doing whatever it takes to get the work done and so strategy sometimes takes a backseat. Maybe it moves to the trunk for a bit. You are not alone. According to a recent survey by Infusionsoft, 49% percent of business owners are doing their own marketing without help from anyone. 46% don't know if their marketing efforts are effective and 10% know they aren't. Some of you may be thinking since you don't have a big marketing budget, planning is not essential. I can tell you two things I know to be true. One, if people don't know you're out there, don't completely get what you are selling and why they should have it--you won't be around too long. Two, businesses who take the time to strategize their marketing enjoy better results because they can review and realign to their overall business strategy and gain consistency. In short, a solid marketing plan can save you time and money. Got your attention? Good, but all that marketing strategy in your head isn't going to flow out to plan and execute itself!
In that same Infusionsoft survey, business owners named "Driving sales" as their top marketing goal for 2017 followed by Retaining and re-engaging customers." The marketing plan creates a road map to reaching your goals. As an entrepreneur, you may be tempted to plow through it yourself with a DIY work ethic. After all, that got you where you are, right? Sure, given enough time and effort the Internet can serve up anything you need...and that is what got you where you are. Once you realize the learning curve involved in being a copywriter, content curator, graphic designer and website developer, knowing you are leaving out even more key skills, it dawns on you. Marketing decisions are best planned in partnership with professionals that have their own passion and expertise for it.
H2 Concierge Marketing, LLC was born of that passion. We love keeping up with marketing trends, tactics and tools to help you compete and succeed. Let's make that marketing plan just the beginning to growing better business. It's never too late to make a good investment.
