subject: Must Have Marketing Tools [print this page] Marketing is a key process in every businessMarketing is a key process in every business. It is through marketing that money flows in. Without marketing tools and expertise, the business may fail. This is the reason why there are marketing tools devised by successful people. These tools have proven to be effective to be used on any kind of businesses. Below is the list of the most important marketing tools your business should utilize.
1. The Internet. The internet is the most powerful marketing tool you will ever need. With the Internet's numerous uses, it has made a dramatic impact on a business. It can contribute to the promotion, to acquiring of orders, and the closure of sales. Any business which hasnt used the internet is definitely left behind.
2. Advertisements. Ads are important in any business. Advertisements inform people of what a business has to offer. If a business lack advertisement, it may lack customers. That is why big companies are investing so much in media ads. They pay for a full-page newspaper advertisement. They invest in a 30-second TV commercial. They buy radio airtime; all this for the sole purpose of reaching their markets.
3. Promotions. Creating marketing promotions are also important for a lot of people to try your product. You can choose to offer discounts to encourage buyers. You can set up raffles so that people will keep on winning while keeping on buying. There are a lot of possible promotions you can use. Let out your creative juice and think of something original. Something that is exciting enough to entice customers.
4. Surveys. Surveys are important in a sense that you can feel what your market needs and what their preferences are. Surveys will lead your business into the right track. It can provide you guidance as to how to go about major decisions. It can also show you what you needed to improve on, and what you have to trash all together. Let the public speak. And hear them well.
5. Newsletters and magazines. Maintaining a monthly edition of a company-sponsored newsletter or magazine is a good way of informing your market what's new and what's hot on your product lists. This will give them first-hand information about your business. You can also squeeze in some related articles and interest stories about your company and your products.
6. Affiliations. At times, joining forces with another business has a lot of advantages. You can trade marketing lists. You can setup promotions together to split the costs. Choose an affiliate which is not your direct competitor. Choose something that is related to your product. If for example your business is about breads and bakeshops, maybe you can choose a candy company as an affiliate. Send them a letter of intent. And see what both of you can achieve.
7. Branding. Branding is a tool that businesses should seriously consider. Your brand is your name. It speaks of you as a product, as a company, and as an entity. Think of something catchy and easily remembered. Then protect it. And make sure that your name is a name worth believing.
8. Advanced Marketing Software. Marketing software is essential to track your market growth. Advanced marketing software would include programmed prospects databases, inventory programs, payment software, and a lot more others. These tools would simplify the otherwise complicated business marketing setup.
9. Market Research. Researches are important to know the current market trends. These are done by competent companies specialized on the job. Research, coupled with proper analysis is also one good basis of your marketing strategy.
10. State-of-the-art Communication System. Believe it. Your telephone, fax machine, e-mail, and instant messages are all valuable to your business. Customers would like to reach you. And they always wanted it fast. If you can easily be contacted, then your market would sure grow. Customers always wanted undivided attention when dealing with their needs.
Marketing is an all too broad a concept, when you think about it; but is can be a lot simple with the use of these tools described above. To be successful in your business, you have to market a lot of your goods. And thats where all of us differ. How you market is how you earn. Use these tools today.
