|
You've Got to Know to Grow |
Written by Andrew Michaels
Friday, 16 May 2008
|
If you've been advertising for any amount of time, you've likely seen the ups and downs. Sometimes you'll run successful ads and other times (hopefully not often) you'll sit by the phone waiting for calls that never come, wondering what went wrong with your ad. Maybe it was poor design or layout, but more than likely it comes down to not knowing your customers and how to reach them. There are steps you can take to minimize the chances of a failed marketing campaign, though.
Talk to Your Customers - If you want to know what your customers are interested in and what their needs are, the simplest way to find out is to ask them. Ask them what they like about your product or service and ways you can improve what you offer. You can simply strike up conversation and feel out your consumers, but if you are looking for something easier to measure, why not do some simple postcard printing and survey them. You post card could have a "thank you" message on the front and a simple customer satisfaction survey on the opposite side. The idea is to get real feedback from people who make purchases with you. Money Talks - Its important to take into account not just what your customers say, but what they do. Specifically, what are they buying? A quick look at your record of transactions and inventory should give you a solid idea of what your customers are buying and what they aren't. Try taking a blank piece of paper and making two columns, in one write what's selling and in the other write your slow sellers down. With it on paper in front of you, try to find commonality in what makes certain products hot sellers. Try to distill it down into one or two selling factors and play to those strengths in your ads. Your customers are always talking to you with their wallets. Take the time to listen to what they are telling you. Go Where Your Customers Go - Are you planning on doing some poster printing but are unsure about the best spots to place them for maximum impact? Listen to your customers! Is everyone talking about that big 4th of July cookout? Are your regulars getting ready for the big marathon for charity downtown? Go take a look at the locations and do a little first hand reconnaissance. If your display your posters in locations where your current customers gather, you are sure to find like minded consumers who may not be familiar with your products or services. Check Out the Competition - The only way to counter competition is to be familiar with what they are offering and how they are succeeding in their product placement. Look for what they are doing with their ads, who they are appealing to and how they are reaching customers. The key is not to copy what they are doing, its doing it better. Are their flyers limited to certain areas of town? Look to exploit areas they have neglected with your own flyers, while maintaining a presence in their territory. If you aren't in touch with your customers, you are running the risk of inefficient advertising. If you take heed of what your customers are telling you on a daily basis, though, you can ensure a successful marketing campaign that will make your current customers happy while adding new customers to the fold. Article Source: http://www.ArticleBlast.com |
| Comments On This Article: |
Only registered users can write comments.
Please login or register.
You are welcome to publish this article free of charge on your website, newsletter, or e-zine, provided:
- You don't change the article in any way
- You include the entire article, including the "about the author" box
- All hyperlinks must remain intact, including email addresses, and the link to ArticleBlast.com at the bottom
- In doing so you agree to indemnify the article's author, and ArticleBlast.com and its directors, officers, employees and agents from and against all losses, claims, damages and liabilities which arise out of its use
- It is also recommended that you provide a courtesy copy of your publication to the author of the article
