In the war to win new business and new customers and clients, it’s essential that entrepreneurs keep up to date with the latest marketing tactics that are favoured by those in the know. When you’re running your own business though, it goes without saying that you’re going to be pretty busy. You simply don’t have the time to dedicate huge chunks of your day to finding out what could work for you, so it pays to get a little guidance. If that’s what you’re looking for, you’re in the right place! Let’s take a look at the approaches that are set to be big news in 2015.
Podcasting
In the past 12 months, podcasting has really taken off. It’s been around as a medium for years, but it’s only recently that marketers and big brands have started to sit up and pay attention. This could perhaps be attributed to the runaway success of Serial, a weekly series that examined a murder case from 1999. It racked up 5 million downloads. The sponsorship deal that MailChimp managed to strike up was regarded as one of the biggest marketing wins of 2015. In short, people are listening to podcasts, and it gives you a fantastic opportunity to connect with your audience. You’ll need to create exceptional content that adds value for your listeners if you want to make sure you’re heard, but keep in mind that you’re an expert in your field, and you have plenty to share. It’s just a case of getting creative and stepping outside of the box.
Video marketing
If you aren’t creating videos as part of your marketing strategy, you could be missing a trick. Many businesses, from small one-man start-ups to huge multinational corporations, are taking their seat at the table, and using this method to connect creates deeper relationships with their prospects. You could demonstrate your products, share tips and techniques, or simply share the story of your business. The great news is that it can also be pretty easy. You don’t need a huge budget, or any advanced equipment. These days, you can get started using most laptops and PCs, and your clips can be shared in seconds using YouTube.
Traditional networking events and exhibitions
In a time when there’s so much hype about online marketing tactics, it’s easy to forget that sometimes, the old approaches can be just as good. If you’ve previously had great results from attending events, armed with lanyards and banners and lead generating tactics, then why would you want to abandon your existing strategy? Though it’s always wise to experiment and keep up with the times, use your common sense and continue to develop in the areas that are already bringing in the cash. Be sure to keep your eyes open for new opportunities, such as recently set-up networking events catering for your industry in your local area.
There’s no uniform approach that’ll work for all businesses, so it’s essential that you try new things, assess your results, and build upon your successes. Avoid complacency, and don’t be scared to try new things and take calculated risks. The key here is preparation. Carefully plan your strategy, and get everything in order. Need items like stationary and lanyards? Order them today! The companies that take quick action are likely to come out on top.
Are you ready to create a marketing strategy that will deliver the results you need over the coming weeks and months? Which of these tactics will you be adding to your toolbox?