Your Ideal Audience, What Are They Biting On?

Your Ideal Audience, What Are They Biting On?

Many of us “market “ our offerings in one form or another but are we truly marketing?

I recently went to a nearby lake where there were lots of people fishing and I heard a familiar phrase being tossed around “what are they biting on?”

I noticed that the people that had not caught anything were saying I am trying this, and that, and this, and this. However, the few that had caught quite a few and very large fish simply said I am using this.

This got me thinking about how many small business owners try so many things when they try to market their businesses, button ads, email marketing, cold call, expos, newspaper ads, conferences, networking events … yet, they still are struggling to get clients. Is it because they have not fully tested the waters, so to speak, to see what could work for them? Or is it because they really don’t understand what it means to test the water (market)?

I am not going to get too much into marketing this week. But, what I would like you to tackle is… your marketing plan.

A marketing plan is not set in stone it is something that can be changed and refined. A great place to start when reviewing your plan, is to ask yourself a few questions such as:

1. Who is my target market- this will help you clearly zone your efforts.

2. What has/ has not worked?

3. Did I follow up? (this is a key step)

4. What is my budget? – this will determine what route you should take to gain the most results. For example, if you don’t have the funds to run an ad in the newspaper consistently then do not attempt this route. Newspaper ads are most effective when ran often.

There are so many strategies you can add to your marketing plan but in reality there is only one that you truly need. The one that works well for you.

By just asking yourself these key questions, you will be well on your way to developing an effecting marketing plan.