Marketing Foundation.

Get to your customer

I could say that the essence of marketing is an entrepreneur’s ability to understand the needs of their target customers and crafting a solution to that gap. This case applies to as well if you are seeking to grow your business.

We have different dimensions of business growth as listed below:

• Getting more customers to your company
• More sales per customer
• More product sales - varied packaging
• Sell products with higher profit margins to your customers 

These are the four ways through which I suggest will grow your business or profits per se.  Emphasis here falls on clients reason being, having a larger customer base increases your chances of selling more products  or services to your client base.

How then does marketing come in play here?

You need to spend more time on creating a marketing structure and coming up with a marketing plan that is well crafted and researched upon before rolling it out. The plan needs to be adjustable as well, maybe geographically, economically or according to the social structure of your clientele.

You will also be required to expand your products and services, packaging them in an appealing and friendly way. Big companies have used this strategy and are successful – (consider the Kadogo economy)

Price your products and services at the right level - that is, competitiveness and affordability. In this case, you may come up with different product demographics according to your social client target.

For instance, you can package products targeting the high class in larger samples hence higher pricing and those for middle class in average packages and have smaller packages for the very small income earners as well. Blue-band did it, Omo did it and many other Unilever products have done it, why don’t you give it a try?

Just like in the article - setting up a business by problem solutionhttp://nasongo.blogspot.com/#!/2012/07/start-and-grow-your-business-by-solving.html-, develop your marketing messages and materials based on problem solution. (i.e. solve the existing customer problems) In this way, you are bound to getting even more business opportunities as opposed to riding on existing problems.

Target audience is another tool you could use. Have your products targeted direct to a given clientele, by having a wide variety of products, tastes as well as packaging quantity. In this way, you reach out to more people. People can use the smaller packets as testers before upgrading to the bigger ones.  Safaricom has done it, you can do it too.

By choosing a specific audience, you can market better and more specific, a solution to the problems facing this target group.

Entrepreneurial pick

Market research to find out the market needs – research on their tastes – categorize your target clients according to social class as well as economic might- you are good to go!!!

Add multiplicity to your Internet marketing content

Add multiplicity to your Internet marketing content

Once the word ‘content’, is mentioned, you will for instance think about it as basically a written document  or an article. 

This is the reason why you may find many websites with longer passages and with very little graphics and video content.

It might have come to your notice that many corporate prefer advertising their products on radio, television and newspapers with the aim of reaching a wider customer target and maybe build their social capital with varied tastes.  A good example is the fact that a television advert tends to engage more senses in a viewers emotion than when the same advert is posted on a newspaper. 

Take for instance, if you are connected to any social site, you find it that people not only share written texts but also post videos and pictures.

As a business person, you should take this finding as an opportunity to see your business grow. This needs to be taken as a marketing strategy for you. We are currently running on the powers and might of internet marketing, in line with this evolving world.

This is not only concerned with computers and other complicated technologies but with as small as the gadget in your hand. Smart phones have the capability to take short videos; records sounds and even take high quality photographs. You should try putting to use those features as a tool to market your business. You don’t need the powerful electronics to do such little things as these anymore.

Another alternative is that, you can download software that sometimes is offered free on certain sites and make use of them as a tool for marketing. There are useful tools in the internet that if put to use are a tool that can be use to propel your business to greater heights.

This being the case, you need some precautions on uploading so as to avoid traffic on your site. One directive is that while you upload these pictures and videos to your business site, you need to schedule different times to do so. For example, you could schedule different times for videos, like lets say early in the morning for videos, mid day for audio then in the evening for pictures. By doing so, your site won’t suffer from bloating due too much content consumption.

Well, since the current generation of consumers has developed a liking for soft content, you should complement your text with audio, photo and video content. Doing this will not only your current fans’ interest, but you will also attract new members who respond better to content in different formats.

Having numerous hits on you site allows you to be more creative apart from giving you the motivation to continue doing Internet marketing. Although this is a social site, businesswise, you should not include contend about your personal life but remain loyal to your business content.

Measuring the Success of Your Social Media and Website Efforts

You need to know the effectiveness of your E-marketing startegy

Now, what next after you have set up your website? As the world moves a notch higher in marketing, social media and other online marketing options are being put in play by marketers.

Do you then get to understand how to measure the power of these tools in your E-marketing efforts?

Measures

Starting a website or a social media platform from scratch is a struggle especially to SMEs. It takes quit a long time to establish a website and thereafter; growth definitely depends on frequency with which you post topics video and audio content

A fact that I want to give you from experience and research is that it takes up to 2 years to establish an effective and regular clientele for your social media platform. This however is subject to its content quality, its timeliness and relevance as well as problem solution.

Measuring engagement

I understand you would like to know how to get the engagement status of your E-marketing platform for you to understand which pages to focus on more. This for sure needs a discussion, but let me break it down simply.

As the website owner, you can use Word Press and other variety of plug-ins that can provide statistics on engagement and there are those that can even provide deeper statistics on client engagement.

You can as well use Google Analytics, JetPack and data from your domain hosting firm on the theory that server statistics are probably the most reliable. Data from these sources will henceforth enable you to focus on pages that have more traffic therefore feed your visitors with concrete information.

Is your campaign successful?

Web statistics are not the only issues in play here, assuming that you do the right things and that you  are patient, it is then not a matter of data but the effectiveness of the content in the site that will tell whether you really are on the right track.

Consider these, and see where you are:

1. For commercial sites, it is all about  sales.
2. For associations and non-profits organisations, it’s membership and contributions.
3. For government organisations, it’s influence based on search results.
4. For advertisers, it’s time spent on site – and the number of clicks per ad.

Expert advice 

Online marketing is taking the society by storm and people are seeking knowledge on the best way to run successful campaigns. It is how you use this method and not necessarily how much you spend on the same.

Websites hosted and supported by the Google Apps are as well useful as ones designed and incepted with new generation add-ons to make them enticing. People are now looking for content, and if you have relevant content, the more customers you get.

On the other hand, there is the option of Google places (this is a topic on its own) which allows your website to be traced according to your location. Once listed, you have surely increased your viewership possibilities and are easy to be traced.

Top Tips On Staying Safe In The Cloud

Is cloud computing secure?

How risky is Cloud Computing?

I remember from my  High school teacher saying, “ignorance is bliss” this is only fair when it comes to staying safe online.  It’s therefore important as a web user to stay alert and beware on goings around you.  Take for instance this cloud computing thing that people are running towards.  Is it safe? Is it secure? Actually…what is it?

You probably are already using cloud computing on a daily basis without your knowledge. It is cloud computing that powers webmail like Yahoo and Gmail, blogs, social networking sites, online gaming, productivity tools like Google Docs and even online backup and storage.

For  example, when you log-in to your Gmail account from your Smartphone, it will instantly bring up your entire inbox of messages no matter where in the world you are. And when you sync your iPhone with the Apple Store, you will be able to access your apps, music and photos from iCloud.

The Risks

Cybercrime is big business and the bad guys are past masters at defrauding and extorting money out of innocent victims. There is a thriving online black market where stolen user data is bought and sold. It therefore calls for you to be alert and follow simple rules to keep these people away from you.

Top tips for staying safe

Although the big service providers like Google, Yahoo and Microsoft are playing their part in ensuring your data is safe, you on the other hand need to play your part well.

Here are a few tips to enable you stay safe:

• Use complex passwords and don’t share passwords between different online accounts in case one is compromised. Or if you have better IT knowledge try the Trend Micro™DirectPass, a solution that will securely manage all your passwords.
• You can as well consider a secure online back-up service that will keep your data safe in the cloud; in the event your laptop or phone is lost or stolen at least you will have a standing point.
• You should always stay alert when on social networks. Be careful when clicking certain links, even if they appear to have come from a friend.
• Never open attachments or click on links on emails before verifying the source of the email first. Only download mobile apps from official app stores and I advice that you consider downloading a mobile security client.  Suggestion - Use Trend Micro’s free security for Android or iPhone to block links to bad apps and the sites that host them.
• Keep your Personal Computer  protected with a cloud-based security with the capability of blocking threats before they even hit your machine.  Suggestion:  If you don’t have a cloud-based security, you can download Titanium for PC, or Safe Surfing for Mac, free here.

Soure:  Trend Micro Fearless Web Internet Security on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fearlessweb.

Text Message Marketing

When it comes to ensuring that your marketing strategies remain trendy especially in line with your customer behavior, you need to carry out personal research. This can be through your friends and other people you relate with since customer behavior is never static.

Running a few ads on television, Radio and maybe newspapers and hoping that your consumers will receive and maybe act on your marketing message is not going to be that case.

Diverse sources of information

 Consumers are gradually developing more and more choices regarding their sources of information meaning, as a marketer you have to keep up with your customer trends. You need to find a strategy on how your potential customers use and interact with the common communication channels.

Modern consumers are engaged with social media therefore marketers have taken to Social media marketing.  Many have for a long time experienced success when running promotions through social media.

More direct marketing technique

I however believe that is not the only way to reach today’s modern consumers and maybe is not the best.  Urban consumers for instance those in younger demographic largely rely on their phones. This is not only on social media but through text messaging features in keeping up with their friends as well as whatever is going on with their favorite companies.

Text message marketing

Text message marketing is a more direct and popular strategy and probably a good option for you business marketing strategy. I will be working on this strategy in my next article but for now, give suggestions on what you wish to read about in that next post.

Reciprocal Marketing

Reciprocal marketing same as online marketing?

This is a situation in which two businesses promote each other aiming at getting a mutual benefit. This kind of marketing is common in the tourism industry but has since come down to other service providing industries. In the current online business world, reciprocal marketing basically includes placing links on another company's Web site.

This is similar to affiliate marketing which occurs when one of the businesses involved in a reciprocal marketing arrangement pays the other for traffic or sales generated through a link. In the brick-and-mortar business world, reciprocal marketing is commonly known as co-op marketing or collaborative marketing.

Emerging trend

This new marketing trend is mostly popular among small, entrepreneurial Web sites as well as established ones. While reading about this, Mellissa Campanelli, (A Social Economist) termed this as “a reliable strategy employed by the most innovative dotcoms”. This strategy allows you to offer your customers discounts at your online partners' sites as well as provide discounts to your partners' customers on your site.

Consider this - A customer who spends 50,000 Shillings (by ordering goods worth that amount online) on your website site gets voucher for a discounted purchase on your partner's site”. Alternatively, one places their products on your website and you sign an agreement on discounts and percentages you both get from orders placed online”.

These are the kind of deals that are going to be happening as we go forward with online marketing. You know what? The best of all is that, no cash changes hands between the two partners therefore enabling you get to your customer directly when they still have cash.

There are a number of benefits that come along with this, especially to the SMEs and upcoming entrepreneurs. One is that , it helps reduce the cost of marketing their products to new customers, it is a value add to a customer’s shopping experience and is cost effective on implementation as opposed to traditional marketing methods.

However, according to other articled on Reciprocal marketing, the key to a successful reciprocal marketing is finding the right partners.

It is also helpful to you if you target Web sites that roughly gets the same number of ‘Clicks” as yours because this arrangement is based on mutual benefits rather than self-serving. 

Precaution

SMEs should however be cautious not to clutter their Web sites with dozens of links offering discounts as this may overshadow their product.  This can also be confusion to customers because too many inks might pull traffic from your website before your customer makes a purchase.

SMEs can find potential partners for reciprocal marketing arrangements through networking at business conferences.  They can as well delve into online networking  by contacting the Webmasters of sites they  like, e-mailing the owners or website managers and subscribing to e-mail discussion groups on subjects  relating to their business.

Cost effective marketing startegy

This is a strategy that SMEs can use in marketing their products but they firs need to understand whatever value they have to offer to their potential customers.  Although Internet entrepreneurs should not solely depend on reciprocal marketing as their only promotion tool, it still remains a valuable way for e-businesses growth

My Pick:  This will allow you to extend your reach and save a lot more on your marketing costs.

Optimize Your YouTube Social Media Marketing Campaign.

YouTube is slowlt taking ove as the preffered online marketing playform.

One very good Social Media Marketing Strategy that you can put in place is getting traffic directed to you from YouTube... You tube is slowly turning out to be one of the latest technologies in online and social media marketing.

People are sending links with their videos posted on YouTube but few people know what an how this strategy works... I decided to take a keen look into this new marketing evolution.

How to optimize your social media marketing campaigns to get the most traffic to your site through YouTube.

Add Keywords video title.

If you add relevant keywords to your video title you assist the search engine spiders to quickly find the video and rank it higher in search engines. You need to know that when someone searches on YouTube for a video they enter keywords and having your keywords on the title will help a big deal. Just simple principle apply.

Reasons for watching the Video.

Consider this, if you see an image that is not appealing would you personally click to watch the video? Or probably not. So why don’t you make the image appealing?

Provide an Informative Description of your video.

Now that you already have a great image, you can now take it further. Add relevant descriptions for the video, letting viewers know exactly it is all about and whatever benefits that can draw from that. You know, people need a stimulus and you therefore need to provide it.

You may as well want to provide an Email and or a contact number for people to be able to contact you in case they want to. Remember to make it easy for viewers to reach you always.

Give a Reason for Visiting your Site.

Now that they have watched your video and liked the information shared, don’t leave them hanging. Give them a reason to visit your site for more information. Add your site URL link to the relevant page that will direct them to your website.

Don’t simply ask them to visit your site for more information, give them a reason to. You can clarify more information they can get at your site. If you can add a free offer, maybe some goodies or something.

Hope this works for you. If you have any additional points, kindly bullet them and I will work on that.

Public relations blogging

Marketing blogs, public relations blogging, SEO blog, business book reviews - Blog Business World

Start and Grow your business by solving problems

For any business to grow, one needs to be focused on solving any existing problems and seeking for better solutions to emerging problems.

If well handled, the business should find and serve its customers well by solving their problems. In doing so, it will deliver a healthy growth and plenty of profits for the owners.

Many businesses however lose their clients and waste resources because they get carried away by their view of the problem or their understanding about an existing problem rather than considering what their customer’s view of the problem is. Adding stuff or developing packages or new products and services as a solution to an emerging or existing problem is dangerous for business. This will not work but will confuse your customer even more.

Does that sound familiar?

The basic questions that you need to consider when working with your client is: - Am I solving this problem in the customers’ satisfaction or in my own understanding?

Having this question at the back of your mind from time to time will help you get to know the different type of customers, their changing needs and what you need to do in order to solve their problem to their satisfaction. Maybe, less could be more.

Seeking for new problems to solve

For a new business growth, there needs to be a fueling factor. This for instance is by your ability to identify new problems to solve and solve them amicably. This way, Clients will trust your service and seek it whenever they get stuck.

Always hold the belief that you have the opportunity, since opportunities are everywhere if you just look for them. Take this:- the trick is that, you don’t need to come up something completely new. All you need is to look for problems or frustrations that people face then, create a problem solution structure.

Consider this, Kuzabiashara crafted its business model from sentiments raised by the Kenyan SME community and built its business on the back of frustrations that SMEs in the region have had with expensive charges on consultancy.

I therefore suggest that when you spot a problem or a frustration from your customer or potential customer, ask yourself:-

·         Is this hitch presently being solved?

·         Is it being solved in the best way possible for everyone?

·         Can you identify a group of people that are not being (properly) served?

·         Can you come up with a better solution than the existing one?

·         Can your solution be cheaper, faster and better?

Swearwords? Read this.

Many are the times when you blurt out a four letter curse word maybe when you knock your head on the wall or maybe do something on the contrary.  Or have you taken time to think of why people with Tourette’s syndrome often shout offensive words as opposed to random ones?

Well, that is because such bad words are stored differently in your brain during childhood. When you were young, your parents maybe punished you for using such words claiming that they are inappropriate. They are then stored in a part of the brain – the reptilian brain – which is where emotional reactions are stored.

In my own view, I understand that there are different reasons for swearing, one in anger and the other is just for entertainment unfortunately, people have used these words so often that they now have lost their power.

Well, I personally have much respect for swear words and don’t use them anyhow. I’d rather treat them with respect, saving them for special occasions probably when they have much impact. Let’s face it; if you swear all the time, what would you do when you really need to do so? It would convey that message as it would have, were you one of my type.

Dirty mind test

Just as you should risk assess every aspect of your business, and computer security depends on the skill of hackers to build protection, you should test your written communications to see if you can ‘break’ them.

I call it the ‘dirty mind test’. That is, make sure your writing is not ambiguous. If it can be misinterpreted, you can bet that somebody will misinterpret it!

More on memory

Note that there’s a difference between recall (remembering at will) and recognition (knowing you’ve seen something before). For example, think of your favorite movie.  May it will be hard to remember and recite it wholly, but as soon as you watch it for a few seconds, you will know if you’ve already watched it.

The best way to learn something new is to make as many connections in your brain as you can, such as repeating the word and making a visual image of it. The more effort you put into remembering it in the first place, the easier it will be to recall.