It’s important to consider consumer mindsets on a consistent basis. Along with price and quality, people also care about convenience, comfort, ethics, sustainability and shared values.¹ Following are steps to identify what connects with customers: Perform consumer research: Know your target audience – focus groups offer insights into how consumers act, think, and feel. Big…
Various statistics often offer valuable insights into what it takes to effectively market a product or service. Following are some current illuminating and useful marketing trends. 1. Social Media Social media plays a key role in acquiring new consumers and keeping existing ones happy: Virtually all small businesses use social media as a marketing tool….
Brand positioning is the process of placing your business in the minds of your customers. The goal is to create a unique impression so that consumers associate something specific and desirable with your brand that differs from the rest of the marketplace. 1. Two-Step Brand Positioning Strategy Process Determine how your business and competitors are…
A recent study has shown consumer perception of ads and brands is influenced by the quality of an environment. Following are key findings about how context and sentiment are impacting the digital advertising landscape: 1) Context is important to consumers: More than 70% say that content impacts their perception of ads. The majority find it…
“Successful small business owners … commit to consistent, ongoing marketing … [they] view marketing as an investment, not an expense – because that’s exactly what it is!” — Joy Gendusa, sbmarketingtools.com When it comes to branding, “consistency is key”: It takes time and repetition for customers to become aware, remember, trust and consider you. Showing…
A recent study shows that consumers want businesses to reach them emotionally — 46% prefer brands where there’s a relationship beyond “just selling me something”. Driven by different levels of loyalty, including value, trust, quality and customer service, when customers feel emotionally connected to a business, their sense of loyalty increases: 1. Deep loyalty is…
To earn consumer trust, it’s important that businesses review and evaluate their brand design, perception and values. Following are three steps to help stay creatively connected with consumers: 1) Re-evaluate your foundation: Identify the brand story, images and logos associated with your business. Ensure your message is positive, sensitive and meaningful. Pinpoint areas of growth…
Business owners always want to stand out from the competition. Following are five key marketing strategies that can help accomplish that goal. 1) Use Video to Stay Connected Video is an effective way to maintain a connection with clients. Adding/sharing videos will likely lead to positive engagement with your content. Five billion videos are watched…
PwC’s Entertainment & Media Outlook Report contains projections for U.S. advertising growth through 2024. Following are highlights for major media: Digital Out-of-Home Advertising Digital Out-of-Home (ex. billboard, DMV, elevator, gas station) remains strong with a +7.7% compound annual growth rate (CAGR)¹ through 2024. Out-of-home has the strongest forecast of traditional media with a +2.8% CAGR, buoyed…
“Because the purpose of business is to create a customer, the business enterprise has two… basic functions: marketing and innovation. It is the whole business seen from the point of view of its final result… from the customer’s point of view.” — Peter Drucker, leading expert on management theory Successful businesses never stop marketing. Marketing…