Comments on: Common marketing mistakes 101

By: Build Communications » Pick the low-hanging fruit

Build Communications » Pick the low-hanging fruit — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 03:43:06 +0000

[...] Metaphor Alarm is going bonkers, it’s working properly. This post is a result of a post by Jim Connolly about marketing mistakes that got me [...]

By: John Van Dinther

John Van Dinther — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 19:58:59 +0000

My focus is on serving small businesses providing services, and the single biggest mistake in that arena is people failing to get personal. They don’t call, they don’t shake hands, they don’t connect.

Consistently I’m taking my clients out to network, helping them share themselves and what they offer. It’s their single best branding and advertising channel. Even over the Internet, leave comments, answer emails promptly and add a personal touch.

By: Ideas to Chew On » Blog Archive » Pick the low-hanging fruit

Ideas to Chew On » Blog Archive » Pick the low-hanging fruit — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 14:52:59 +0000

[...] Metaphor Alarm is going bonkers, it’s working properly. This post is a result of a post by Jim Connolly about marketing mistakes that got me [...]

By: Marketing Specialist - Jim Connolly

Marketing Specialist - Jim Connolly — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 07:36:47 +0000

Hello Esteban,
It’s always good advice to start out with a clear vision of what you want to achieve.

I get emails every day from people with marketing problems and you are correct; many people have bad experiences with ‘bad’ marketing consultants.

I always tell people that the best way to pick an effective marketing provider, is to do one of the following:

ONE
Find someone who’s already getting GREAT results from their marketing, and hire whoever they use. (That’s how I get most of MY referrals.)

TWO
Take a look at the FREE information they provide on their website / blog. See if they sound knowledgeable and if they are producing results for other people. Get to know their work and their approach.

If you like what you see, ask for a FREE consultation. I always give them when asked and most other marketing providers do too.

Great comment – thanks!

By: esteban kolsky

esteban kolsky — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 06:07:32 +0000

here is a simple, but a good one. they do marketing because they think they need to, or someone convinced them to do it, but they don’t have a clue. they either do it themselves poorly, or they hire a bad consultant. know your branding and marketing requirements and needs before you set to do something about it.

By: Marketing Specialist - Jim Connolly

Marketing Specialist - Jim Connolly — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 05:30:30 +0000

Hello Barbara,
Thanks for the comment. You make an excellent point regarding the way businesses often ‘assume’ they know what their marketplace wants.

I particularly like the way you summed it up; “conduct research rather than make assumptions.”

I wrote a free guide here, which shows how to find out what your marketplace really wants.
http://jimsmarketingblog.com/2008/10/11/save-time-spot-opportunities-with-rss/

Here’s a guide on ‘competitor analysis.’
http://jimsmarketingblog.com/2008/09/04/whats-your-competition-like/

Thanks!

By: Barbara Bix

Barbara Bix — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 02:40:58 +0000

Assumptions, Assumptions, Assumptions.

People assume that they know what the most valuable attributes of their products are because they have customers.

Yet, many leave money on the table because they are selling to second or third tier prospects who value what they have to offer–but not nearly as much as others who would pay top dollar for their solutions.

Similarly, many lose business because they emphasize the wrong attribute of the product, or use the wrong delivery vehicle.

The key to success is to conduct research rather than make assumptions based on past interactions in a limited context.

Once you make the effort to find who your most promising prospects are–and how they make buying decisions, you can expect a dramatic increase in revenues.

By: Marketing Specialist - Jim Connolly

Marketing Specialist - Jim Connolly — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 22:15:51 +0000

Hello Cindy,

Thanks for sharing that – it’s more than possible that your comment might stop someone else making a similar mistake.

By: Cindy Hartman

Cindy Hartman — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 22:07:17 +0000

I’ve made many. One BIG one was thinking we could create our own business image. Once we realized we looked like a small, start-up that didn’t know what we were doing, we sought a professional. New logo, which meant new biz cards, brochures, logo clothing, etc. What a waste of time and money, let alone having to re-introduce ourselves.

By: Marketing Specialist - Jim Connolly

Marketing Specialist - Jim Connolly — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 21:35:18 +0000

Hello Christopher,
Over 20 years ago, my boss told me; “Always go for the business that’s on your side of the street – before you decide to go for the sales that are on the other side of town.”

I think your point and his are the same; that small businesses should focus on the easy sales first.

Thanks for the comment Christopher!