How a Marketing Strategy Can Grow your Business

Fergal Maher MBS (Hons) Marketing, Dip in Strategic Marketing, FMIIGrad,

What is Marketing Strategy? 

There are many definitions by countless authors but I like to keep it simple, it is a plan. It is your company’s plan to achieve specific marketing objectives.  Start with your market. What is your market? Where is it located? What is the size of the market? What is the current state of the market?

Where is your company positioned in the market?

Are you a market leader, new entrant, smaller niche player, number 2 or 3?

How aware is the market of your company or brand?

Marketing is all about awareness. How well known is your company\brand? How can you increase awareness of your brand? What do you want them to know and say about your brand?

Develop your company’s brand /USP

There are a number of steps.

1.  Understand

Start with a question. Who is your potential customer? Have you information on these potential customers? What motivates them to buy? Is the market giving them what they need now? Are they looking for something different, faster service, knowledge, experience something you can give. Discuss this with your current customers and your own people internally. You would be surprised what you would learn.

2.  We are the best, leaders because……

As a company what are you excellent at? You know your competition and you can list these easily and what they offer. On a scale of 1-10 how do you compare to the top 5 services you provide. Show where you are better.

3.  Is there a gap? 

You can see what others are not doing so offer your solution. Look ahead see what is coming and what you can offer now over your competition.

4.  Trial and modify 

Don’t be afraid to go into the market and talk to customers. Do simple calls to customers and get the right feedback.

Find out what makes you different and don’t be shy about telling people why you are so good at what you do

Marketing Budget 

How much should it be?

There are no exact rules but you should spend around 5 percent of your total sales revenue on marketing to maintain your current position. If you are trying to grow or increase the market share you should budget a higher percentage—usually around 10%, 15% percent.

5.  Put a Dashboard in place                                                                                                             

Set objectives and dates and display these on a dashboard. Put it in a prominent place. This will give you the focus you require.  Make sure it is easy to update and review. Tie these efforts to your overall marketing objectives.

6.  Monitor and check your progress on your Dashboard                                                                                      

From experience, this should be undertaken weekly with your team. Set corrective action if dates begin to slip.

7.  Be flexible – adapt                                                                                                          

See what is working from your marketing effort and what is not.  If something is not working change it. Sometimes all it needs are small changes to make a difference.

8.  Communicate

Tell people regularly what is working and what is a success. This is a key to keep everything on track, builds confidence and achieves significant momentum. Build-in small rewards to encourage your team and acknowledge achievement.

The 8 steps above are not a full checklist of things to do but it does give you an outline of what is essential. If you follow these steps you will be well on your way.