Three Simple Tips for Successful Marketing

As the profession of marketing continues to mature, new technologies, tools and methods are developed. Due to that, many marketers don’t know what to do to make their marketing successful. Here are three simple tips to make it easier:

1) Research – before beginning any marketing activity you must do your research. You must know everything about your products, your customers, your market, and your competitors.

2) Development – before developing the marketing strategy and tactics, you must completely understand the business goals. This then guides the marketing strategy development, which in turn guides the choice of marketing tactics and channels to use.

3) Measurement – before launching any marketing activity, you must know what the KPIs are that show whether the business goal is met, along with what the metrics are to track and measure the effectiveness of the marketing activity.

BONUS TIP: Many marketers think there is a “secret recipe” for marketing success. The truth is there is no secret recipe; it all boils down to hard work.

By following these simple tips, your marketing will become more successful and effective.

© 2019 – Richard Hatheway, Catalyst Strategic Marketing

All rights reserved

Three Simple Tips for Developing a Value Prop

 Three Simple Tips for Developing a Value Prop

A value proposition is a short statement (typically 2-3 sentences) that clearly and concisely summarizes the value a product, solution or service provides to a customer. The purpose is to make the customer want more information and then purchase the product. Sadly, most marketers don’t know how to craft a usable value prop, so here are three simple tips to make it easier:

1) Before developing the value prop, you must clearly understand what the benefits are and how they provide value to a customer. Without that knowledge, you can’t develop a good value prop.

2) Stay focused. The intent of the value prop is to make the customer understand how the product will provide value and solve problems, it is not to overwhelm them with a list of specs, features, bells and whistles (regardless of how impressive those may be).

3) Keep it short. The value prop should be crisp, clear and concise. It’s not intended to be wordy and overly long.

By following these simple tips, developing a value prop will become easier, your marketing will become more effective and your customers will better understand and buy more of your products.

© 2019 – Richard Hatheway, Catalyst Strategic Marketing

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Three Simple Tips for Sales and Marketing Alignment

Three Simple Tips for Sales and Marketing Alignment

In order for your business to be successful, your Sales and Marketing departments must work together. Unfortunately, that often is easier said than done. To help, here are three simple tips to make it easier:

1) Get a commitment from BOTH the Sales and Marketing leadership that alignment is a priority, Have them communicate that message to both organizations, as top-down leadership like this will help drive procedural changes to make it happen.

2) Schedule a regular call between Sales and Marketing for each organization to update the other. Provide updates on activities, accounts, requirements, problems, delays, etc.

3) Allow Marketing to take part in regularly occurring Sales meetings when/where possible and vice-versa. This provides each with insight into what the other organization really needs from the other.

BONUS TIP: Make sure that Marketing clearly understands the Sales goals and objectives, as that helps Marketing ensure their activities will align with and support Sales.

By following these simple tips, Sales and Marketing will become more aligned, resulting in more efficient organizations leading to increased revenue.

© 2019 – Richard Hatheway, Catalyst Strategic Marketing

All rights reserved

#salesandmarketingalignment

Three Simple Tips for Using Calls To Action (CTAs)

Three Simple Tips for Using Calls To Action (CTAs)

Marketing develops numerous types of content, including messaging, positioning statements, white papers, websites and much more. However, many marketers miss the last step to potentially engage with a customer, which is including a Call To Action (CTA). To help, here are three simple tips to make it easier:

1) The CTA is often the last opportunity to engage with a customer, so provide them with a compelling reason to want to request more information. Offers such as a discount, a free upgrade, a demo, a sales call, etc. all provide useful value to the customer.

2) The CTA puts the customer in control, allowing them to contact you when they are ready. Respect that and let the CTA do what it is designed to do.

3) The CTA provides sales with a warm lead, as the customer contacts you, indicating interest. Make the CTA valuable so it works for you.

Calls To Action are a simple and easy way to continue engagement with customers and can be used with all marketing content, both on- and offline. CTAs also provide a quick and easy way to help fill your pipeline, move customers down the sales funnel and increase conversions, so be sure to use them at the end of all of your marketing content.

© 2019 – Richard Hatheway, Catalyst Strategic Marketing

All rights reserved

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Three Simple Tips for Developing a Blog

 Three Simple Tips for Developing a Blog

Whether for business or personal use, blogs offer a quick and easy way to help spread your message. However, many people are scared to blog as they believe you have to be "a professional writer" to do it. The reality is that's not true. Read through a random sample of blogs and you'll see there are both good and bad blogs out there. To help you, here are three simple tips to make it easier:

1) Choose your blogging platform. Whether you use Blogger, Wix, WordPress, or any of the other blogging sites, it's quick and easy to set up a blog. There are both free and paid alternatives, with pre-made templates and design options, as well as drag-and-drop functions to make it simple for you to set up your blog.

2) Choose a topic you're passionate about or interested in. It really doesn't matter what the topic is; as long as you're interested in it, you can blog about it.

3) Begin writing. At the end of your blog, be sure and use descriptive hashtags to make it easy for others to find your blog.

That's it. And yes, it's really that easy. Sure, your first blogs may not be that great, but over time your writing and style will improve, your blog will get better, and you'll see how useful (and fun) a blog can be.

© 2019 – Richard Hatheway, Catalyst Strategic Marketing

All rights reserved

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#blogging

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