Few companies can afford a $5 million TV ad during the Super Bowl. For the rest of us, here are 99 ways to tackle the competition and score a touchdown using simple marketing tactics.
Marketing Planning
1. Revise or create a marketing plan for your business.
2. Revisit your market research.
3. Analyze your competition.
4. Establish your unique selling proposition (USP).
5. Refine your target audience and niche.
6. Sit down with every salesperson and ask them what your customers’ biggest pain points are.
Marketing Materials
7. Update your business cards so they stand out.
8. Print the products or services you sell on the back of your business cards.
9. Give your business cards freely and ask permission to leave them in places your target market may visit.
10. Create or update your corporate brochure.
11. Create a digital version of your brochure for your website.
12. Explore a refresh of your website.
13. Make sure every content landing page and email campaign you develop has only one call to action.
14. Create a calendar for customers with your company’s logo, website and contact information on it.
15. Develop creative promotional products; give them away at the next networking event you attend.
In-Person Networking
16. Write an elevator pitch.
17. Register for a conference
18. Introduce yourself to other local business owners.
19. Plan a local business workshop or seminar.
20. Join your local chamber of commerce.
21. Rent a booth at a trade show.
Direct Mail
22. Launch a multi-piece direct mail campaign.
23. Create multiple approaches, and split test your mailings to measure impact.
24. Include a clear and enticing call to action on every direct mail piece.
25. Use tear cards, inserts, props and attention-getting envelopes to make an impact with your mailings.
26. Send past customers free samples and other incentives to regain their business.
Advertising
27. Advertise in the Yellow Pages.
28. Use stickers or magnets to advertise on your car.
29. Take out an ad in your local newspaper.
30. Advertise on Facebook.
31. Advertise on LinkedIn.
32. Buy ad space on a relevant website.
Social Media Marketing
33. Get started with social media for business.
34. Create a Facebook page.
35. Get a vanity URL or username for your Facebook page.
36. Create a Twitter account.
37. Reply or retweet someone else on Twitter.
38. List your business on Google Places.
39. Start a business blog.
40. Write blog posts on a regular basis.
41. Start social bookmarking your online content.
42. Create a Groupon.
Internet Marketing
43. Start a Google Adwords pay-per-click campaign.
44. Make sure your content is easy to read on both smartphones and tablets.
45. Comment on a blog post.
46. Record a video blog post.
47. Upload a video to YouTube.
48. Check your online directory listings and get listed in desirable directories.
49. Set up Google Analytics on your website and blog.
50. Review and measure your Google Analytics statistics.
51. Register a new domain name for a marketing campaign or a new product or service.
52. Learn more about local search marketing.
53. Track your online reputation.
54. Sign up for the Help a Reporter Out (HARO) email list.
Email Marketing
55. Create an email opt-in on your website or blog.
56. Offer a free download or free gift to make people willing to add their email address to your list.
57. Send regular emails to your list.
58. Start a free monthly email newsletter.
59. Use A/B testing to measure the effectiveness of your email campaigns.
60. Perfect your email signature.
61. Add audio, video and social sharing functionality to your emails.
Contests, Coupons and Incentives
62. Start a contest.
63. Create a coupon.
64. Create a “frequent buyer” rewards program.
65. Start a client appreciation program.
66. Create a customer of the month program.
67. Give away a free sample.
68. Start an affiliate program.
Relationship Building
69. Send out a customer satisfaction survey.
70. Ask for referrals.
71. Make a referral.
72. Help promote or volunteer your time for a charity event.
73. Sponsor a local sports team.
74. Cross-promote your products and services with other local businesses.
75. Join a professional organization.
76. Plan your next holiday promotion.
77. Plan holiday gifts for your best customers.
78. Send birthday cards to your clients.
79. Hold an open house. Invite prominent city officials and the press.
80. Donate branded prizes for local fundraisers.
81. Become a mentor.
Marketing with Content
82. Celebrate your success. Show off your work through presentations, blog posts and newsletter articles.
83. Identify 3+ thought leaders in your organization and build them into your content plan.
84. Plan a free teleconference or webinar.
85. Include customer testimonials on your website and in your printed literature.
86. Promote yourself as an expert by writing articles or tips on topics related to your industry.
87. Write a press release. Present it as an engaging story.
88. Make sure you are telling a different story than everyone else in your industry.
89. Submit your press release to various distribution channels.
90. Create a press kit and keep its contents current.
91. Rewrite your sales copy with a storytelling spin.
92. Create and share a free eBook for your target.
93. Start writing a book.
Marketing Help
94. Hire a marketing consultant.
95. Hire a public relations professional.
96. Hire a professional copywriter.
97. Hire a search engine marketing firm.
98. Hire an intern to help with daily marketing tasks.
99. Hire a sales coach or salesperson.
You Tell Us
How many of these tactics does your company use?
What would you add to the list?
Lisa Goller is a marketing and communications professional with over 15 years of experience serving B2B, technology and retail companies. She helps businesses tell their story through irresistible content marketing and strategic communications.
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