Marketing Tips That Fit on One Hand

Marketing tips that are simple to use and easy to remember work for me. Business is so complex that whatever actions can make life just a little more simple go to the top of my list.

The first tip is that marketing must always be directed to the business results. When the business results are not known from the marketing activities, everyone works harder and not smarter.

Another tip is one of alignment. All of your marketing strategies should be in alignment with your strategic plan and the desired results that you are seeking from that plan.

When your marketing activities are working, don't stop is the third tip. Many times business owners change strategies and tactics to try something new when their current actions are working. This is a big mistake.

For example, Ford had a terrific and well known vehicle, the Ford Taurus, that had an incredible loyal customer base. Yet, some marketing genius or Ford executive decided that this well known and branded product needed to be put out to pasture for a new vehicle that began with the letter "F." Ford lost market share when they couldn't afford to lose any customers. Their marketing was working and they changed horses in the middle of the stream.

The fourth tip is to focus your marketing message on your customers and not what you do. For example, one of my messages is that "I work with professional service firms and manufacturing companies who frustrated…really frustrated by the lack of results from their people. And no matter what they have done before, they still can't change their results." This tip allow you to become the Red Jacket in the Sea of Gray Suits.

These four tips all fit on one hand. The fifth and final one, well, if you need one, that is up to you.