101 Ways To Start. Teanna Ross, Branding & Marketing Strategist Kreative Eye Design

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1 M A R K E T I N G 101 Ways To Start Teanna Ross, Branding & Marketing Strategist Kreative Eye Design

2 M A R K E T I N G No matter the business, there is one common goal: to sell a product or service and to sell that product or service better than your competition.

3 M A R K E T I N G Successful companies start with creating a marketing plan That will allow you to plan ahead, write down goals, and chart what success looks like for your organization.

4 M A R K E T I N G Your marketing plan should clearly outline how you plan on reaching your ideal customers by strategically and effectively implementing and executing your marketing strategy

5 M A R K E T I N G Marketing can be fun, get creative. There are endless possibilities and strategies, start somewhere and evolve.

6 M A R K E T I N G Implementing the right mix of activities is key, you must first: identify and focus on the most effective tactics Then strategically and effectively execute them. CONSISTENCY IS SIGNIFICANT IN YOUR SUCCESS

7 M A R K E T I N G 101 Ways to Start

8 M A R K E T I N G Your Marketing Plan

9 6 ways to get started 1 First things first, create your marketing plan if you haven t created one yet. If you have one take a look at it and make revisions, things may have changed since the last time you looked at it. 2 Conduct market research. Look at what your competitors are doing, what s working what isn t and what you can do to stand out. 3 Conduct a focus group. Create a customer/client avatar to help you answer the following questions: Where should you advertise to maximize exposure to your ideal customer? What types of advertisements typically effect your ideal customer? What vocabulary and tone should you use in your marketing efforts? What story should your marketing content be telling?

10 4 Write a unique selling proposition (USP). One way to start is to analyze how other companies use their USPs to their advantage. This requires careful analysis of other companies' ads and marketing messages. If you analyze what they say they sell, not just their product or service characteristics, you can learn a great deal about how companies distinguish themselves from competitors. 5 Define your niche and target audience. A niche will help you position yourself within the target audience you have chosen and will allow you to compete more effectively for their business. 6 Expand your product and service offerings. (i.e. Related products, informational products, new service offerings, continuity programs/monthly retainer, membership discounts, and special events for new and existing customers.)

11 M A R K E T I N G Your Marketing Collateral

12 6 ways to update your marketing collateral 7 Update your business cards. It is recommended that you update your business cards yearly at minimum, your contact information or media portals may need to be updated. You may have updated your logo, your using a new tag line, font, colors, or you might want to experiment with different paper quality or finish. Whatever the reason they should be memorable and stand out. 8 Make sure all of your marketing collateral tells exactly what you do in a concise manner. Never leave people to question what it is you do and the problem you solve. 9 Create or update your brochure or press kit. These items can be on your website ready to download or sent to potential clients, giving them more detail about you and your company.

13 10 Create a leave behind. A leave behind can be a postcard giving more detail about your product or service that compels someone to take action.. Maybe you have a weekly newsletter you d like them to subscribe to. 11 Redesign your website. Websites are living documents that are constantly changing and evolving. Make sure your current online presence is a direct reflection of your branding and message. 12 Get creative with promotional products and give them away at the next networking event you attend. Pens, mugs, t-shirts, notebooks, note pads etc.

14 M A R K E T I N G Get Out There, Start Networking

15 6 ways to network and connect 13 Write and memorize your elevator speech. An elevator speech is as essential as a business card. You need to be able to say who you are, what you do, what you are interested in doing and how you can be a resource to your listeners. If you don't have an elevator speech, people won't know what you really do and every time you encounter someone you will be stumbling.. Not a good look. 14 Mix & Mingle with Local Business Owners. Here s one of the most important things to remember when it comes to networking; it s a two-way street. This means that whenever you meet someone, you need to ask them as much as possible regarding their business, as well as informing them about yours. Always begin the conversion with the basics your name, your company, affiliation, position, etc. Following the introductions and exchanging of basic information, you could ask the following questions: What products or services does your company offer? Who are your clients? Who is in charge of the buying decisions? How are you different from the competition?

16 15 Register for a conference or join a meet-up. Check to see if their any up coming conferences you could attend and register or go to meet-up.com and see what local meet-ups are in your area Create and plan a local workshop or intro event. Create a free mini-workshop or intro event to showcase yourself and your expertise/product/service Join your local chamber of commerce. Joining a local chamber of commerce is a great way to meet local business owners in your area and to start building business relationships. 18 Rent a booth at a trade show. Check and see if there any trade shows coming up and see if it would be beneficial for you to rent a booth.

17 M A R K E T I N G Direct Mail Marketing

18 5 ways to create and send mailers 19 Create and launch a multi-piece direct mail campaign. This is great for targeting specific businesses or residential customers with specials you may be offering and/or if your new to the area, letting people know you are now in the neighborhood and invite them to come visit you in person on online.. 20 Create multiple approaches, and split test your mailings to measure impact. Send out various messages to different groups and track how successful they were. This allows you to see what s working and what isn t. Then adjust accordingly. 21 Include a clear and enticing call to action on every direct mail piece. Be clear in letting them know what you want them to do! Subscribe to something, purchase something, join you at an event.

19 22 Use tear cards, inserts, coupons, props and attention-getting envelopes to make an impact with your mailings. 23 Send past or new customers customers free samples and other incentives to regain or gain their business.

20 M A R K E T I N G Advertising 101

21 10 advertising ideas 24 Create a radio campaign. This is good for events or services your offering to a specific audience. 25 Create a Groupon. This is great for all businesses. It may work better for some not all, it depends on the deliverable. If your offering isn t tangible or hard to measure this may not be a good idea. 26 Use Stickers or magnets to advertise on your car. Use your car as an advertising tool. 27 Take out an ad in your local newspaper. This is great for some businesses not all. Make sure if your taking out an ad that your audience reads the newspaper. 28 Advertise on Facebook. This is great for all businesses to raise awareness and drive people to their Fan Page or Website. Endless Possibilities and you can tailor your audience. To play on Facebook these days you have to pay for visibility.

22 29 Advertise on a local cable TV station. A great way to advertise but can get very expensive. Make sure it is worth the cost and you ll be reaching your customers/clients. 30 Advertise on LinkedIn. A great space to connect and network with business professionals. 31 Buy ad space on a relevant website. Great advertising opportunity if you ll be reaching your target customer/client or if your partnering with another organization. 32 Use a sidewalk sign to promote your products, services and/or specials. 33 Advertise on a local billboard.

23 M A R K E T I N G Get Social

24 11 ways to get active on social media 34 Get started with social media for business. Every Business should have a social media presence by now if not create one asap. It s Free! 35 Create a Facebook Page. Very easy to do. They walk you through this step by step. 36 Create a vanity URL or username for your Facebook page. This is important, it makes it easy for people to find you. 37 Create a Twitter account. A great way to micro-blog 38 Reply or retweet someone else on Twitter. Start engaging.

25 39 List your business on Google Places. Give customers the right info at the right time, whether that be driving directions to your business in Maps, hours of operations in Search or a phone number they can click to call you on mobile phones. 40 Start a business blog. A blog can help in generating sales leads, give your company a personal voice, and can help boost customer loyalty. 41 Create content and stay consistent in blogging. This is very important. 42 Start social bookmarking your online content. Do this by sharing your content on your social media profiles creating backlinks. 43 Setup a Pinterest Account for Business. A great way to save and share ideas, things you like - products/services/information etc. 44 Create an Instagram Account for Business. Instagram is exploding for businesses. Balance Fun Images With Pictures From Your Business, Cultivate a Following, Inspire Potential Customers, and Widen Your Exposure to Other Brands.

26 M A R K E T I N G Internet Marketing

27 12 ways to market and promote your business on the internet 45 Start a Google AdWords pay-per-click campaign. The AdWords platform enables businesses to create ads that appear on Google s search engine and other Google properties. 46 Start a Microsoft ad center pay-per click campaign. Pay-per-click advertising means that you pay each time a potential customer clicks your ad. You pay up to your bid amount for keywords, but not more. 47 Comment on a blog post. 50 Check your online directory listings and get listed in desirable directories. 48 Start a Vlog. 51 Set up Google Analytics on your website/blog. 49 Upload a video to YouTube. 52 Track your online reputation.

28 53 Review and measure your Google Analytics statistics. Web analytics is the measurement, collection, analysis and reporting of web data for purposes of understanding and optimizing web usage. Web analytics is not just a tool for measuring web traffic but can be used as a tool for business and market research, and to assess and improve the effectiveness of a website. 54 Register a new domain name for a marketing campaign or a new product or service. 55 Learn more about local search marketing. Click here for more info. 56 Sign up for a Help a Reporter Out (HARO) list. Get more information here.

29 M A R K E T I N G Start Sending s

30 7 marketing strategies using your 57 Create an opt-in on your website/blog. Create a form for visitors to fill out in order for you to stay in touch with them. 58 Offer a free download or free gift for new subscribers. Create a free e-book or white paper in exchange for their address. 59 Send regular s to subscribers. Start an marketing campaign and send it to your subscribers. Figure out how frequently and stick to it. 60 Start a free monthly newsletter. Create a free newsletter that would showcase your expertise in some way.

31 61 Use A/B testing to measure the effective of your campaigns. Knowing what works is key to insightful marketing campaigns. With A/B split testing you have a great result booster at your disposal. It will help you pinpoint the areas you need to work on to increase the effectiveness of your campaigns. 62 Perfect your signature. In the age of the Internet, you might find yourself clicking "reply," typing up a quick response, and hitting "send" without giving so much as a thought about what you've just written. Always keep in kind that your behavior has the potential to sabotage your reputation both personally and professionally. Keep your signature simple and straight to the point, yet informative. 63 Add audio, video and social sharing functionality to your s. This is a great marketing tool. If you have a new product, service or have been featured in the media add it to your signature.

32 M A R K E T I N G The Extra s

33 7 create ways market and promote 64 Start an online contest. You d be surprised how many people would take part your contest. Make it fun, engage and follow it up with something else and quick to keep up the momentum. 65 Create a coupon or offer your service at a discounted rate. Create a coupon or a special and create an urgency around it. Create a call to action and have a customer service system in place prior to starting it to manage it properly. 66 Create a frequent buyer rewards program. Whatever you product/service come up with a frequent buyer rewards program that your customers will find valuable.

34 67 Start a client appreciation program or day. Many businesses are now appreciating their clients in a major way Planning a lunch, dinner or some type of event to show their appreciation. Create something your clients would enjoy. Most of them wouldn t expect that and be presently surprised. 68 Create a customer of the month program. This is great to do either on a blog or on social media. People love to featured. 69 Give away a free samples. This works well with product-based businesses, not so much for service-based businesses. 70 Start an affiliate/referral program. Create something that works you that others would fid valuable. Something they wouldn t mind participating in. This is a great way to get new leads and drum up new business.

35 M A R K E T I N G Build and Foster Relationships

36 13 ways to build relationships 71 Send out a customer satisfaction survey. A great way to see how you can improve and to grow. 72 Ask for referrals. Don t be afraid to ask for referrals 73 Make a referral. Become a resource, refer great products and services to your customers. 74 Help promote or volunteer your time for a charity event. This will allow customers to see you and your business as community oriented.

37 75 Sponsor a local sports team. A great way to get in front of your community. 76 Cross-promote your products and services with other local businesses. A great way to build business relationships with local business owners. Only cross-promote with businesses that compliment your service or product. 77 Join a professional organization. Get involved with networking groups or join an alumni association. 78 Plan your next holiday promotion. Get in front of upcoming holidays and what customers normally buy around that holiday.

38 79 Plan holiday gifts for your best customers. 80 Send birthday cards to your clients. That would make your clients feel special and let them know you didn t forget about them. 81 Approach a colleague about a collaboration. A great way to get in front of audiences you wouldn t be able to get in front of otherwise. 82 Donate branded prizes for local fundraisers. A great way to create awareness for you product/service. 83 Become a mentor. A great way to give back.

39 M A R K E T I N G Marketing Your Content

40 6 ways to market your content 84 Plan a free teleconference, intro event or webinar. A great way to showcase your expertise. 85 Record a podcast and upload it to several platforms. Create a podcast and upload it to your blog, and other platforms for maximum exposure and direct people back to your website. 86 Write a press release. This is great for upcoming events or for the announcement of new products/services.

41 87 Submit your press release to various distribution channels. A great way to create internet traction and to expand your keywords and exposure. Most of these distribution channels are free too. 88 Rewrite your sales copy with a storytelling spin. People love knowing more about you. People do business with people they can relate to and feel they know. 89 Start writing a book. Another great way to showcase your expertise or to invite people to get to know you and engage with you.

42 M A R K E T I N G Need Help with Your Marketing?

43 6 ways to get help marketing your content 90 Hire a marketing consultant. Once you test the waters and try to grow your business on your own, you can consider hiring a consultant. Make sure you hire him or her for specific tasks instead of all your marketing needs. Why? Because consultants are specialists, which means they aren t good at doing everything. 91 Hire a public relations professional. PR is a very important, but frequently overlooked, approach to marketing. For many entrepreneurs, there is no budget available for hiring an agency or outsourcing the PR, but there are several ways to achieve free or very cost-effective publicity. If doing it yourself would mean there's a risk that your campaign will be improperly composed, poorly pitched, over-commercialized (editors do not like promotion; they like news) and misdirected with no follow-up, then you would be better off hiring a professional.

44 92 Hire a professional copywriter. Have a new marketing project you need copy written for? Thinking about doing it yourself? You may want to think again. While most everyone knows how to write that is, put ideas down on paper most people don t know how to sell through writing. And that s what copywriting is all about: effectively selling a product or service through the power of words. 93 Hire a search engine marketing firm. Do your research and know the type off results your looking to receive in the long run. 94 Hire an intern to help with daily marketing tasks. This can help and free you up tremendously to focus on other things. Be sure to train them and make sure you have a system in place as well as the type of results you are looking for. Hire a business coach. Every entrepreneur needs a coach, because the fastest way to learn any 95 business is to study someone who has been successful at it. This person has already paid the price of experience. You must absorb all of the information that you can out of him or her!

45 M A R K E T I N G Creative Marketing Ideas...

46 6 creative marketing ideas 96 Step out on the streets. In an online age, there s something to be said for going au naturel and exercising a little IRL marketing. Go old school with flyers and poster in local cafes, do some sidewalk chalk writing. This strategy is most effective for locally oriented businesses, but it can work for anyone. 97 Pin your own images (and others). Don t underestimate the value of this image-sharing site. Post your strongest visual assets (templates, infographics, etc) on Pinterest and link them to your webpages for some serious traffic. 98 Aggregate awesomeness from other sources. Another easy way to create killer content is to curate quality content from elsewhere. No, it s not stealing... at least, not if done properly.

47 99 Content is an open door Don t just create awesome content and abandon it. Feature your best stuff in other related blog posts as well. You can link to or call out other pieces of content mid-post, or list some related articles at the end of your post. Something along the lines of Want to learn more about? Check out our guide and our infographic. 100 Show some skin. I mean metaphorical skin of course show that you are not a robot. Don t be afraid to have some fun and show off your company s personality. Express yourself; and if that means literally showing some skin, well then, more power to you. You re human after all. 101 Push your handles. If you re really looking to bump up those Twitter followers, you can t be afraid to be a bit shameless. Speaking at a conference? Put your Twitter handle on the slideshow (heck, keep it in the corner the entire presentation). Ordering new business cards? Better include that adorable handle!

Kreative Eye Design Fresh Ideas. Endless Possibilities.

Kreative Eye Design was founded by me, Teanna Ross and was inspired directly out of my desire and passion to make design beautiful yet functional.

owners in various capacities I saw a huge need for new and emerging companies to have cohesive branding and marketing solutions.

My goal is to educate, empower and teach entrepreneurs and small business owners alike that being small doesn t mean you have to look or play small.

48 Kreative Eye Design Fresh Ideas. Endless Possibilities. Fresh Ideas. Endless Possibilities. Kreative Eye Design was founded by me, Teanna Ross and was inspired directly out of my desire and passion to make design beautiful yet functional. With over 12 years experience working in business incubators with start-up organizations, consulting one-on-one with corporate executives, entrepreneurs, self-published authors, and small business owners in various capacities I saw a huge need for new and emerging companies to have cohesive branding and marketing solutions. Small business owners or those just getting started may think they have to have a huge budget for branding and marketing but not any longer; I ve sought out to change just that. My goal is to educate, empower and teach entrepreneurs and small business owners alike that being small doesn t mean you have to look or play small. I have spent the last 7 years helping and consulting clients on just that. My knowledge, hands-on experience couple with my formal education has allowed me to think outside of the box and provide my clients with practical, strategic and affordable graphic and web design solutions that allow them to stand out and shine in their respective industries. I currently reside in Los Angeles, CA. I hold a Bachelor of Fine Art from American InterContinental University Los Angeles, and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. I have 2 small children, I enjoy reading, networking and spending time with my family and friends. Connect with me:

MARKETING PIECES - ASSESSMENT

MARKETING PIECES - ASSESSMENT Success Checklist: Find the Missing Pieces that Prevent You from Getting More Clients and Having Higher Profits in Your Business Please read the info below before completing