What can you do?

Today there are so many ways to market your companies products or services.  You should always start by answering, who is the target audience?

• Who do you want to target?
• Where will your audience be?
• What type of marketing should I do?

Bearing in mind the advice that appears on this website.  Always plan your strategy, then create the promotional plan.  Every industry, market, segment, product and service will require the personal touch!

You can write a book on the different activities, but here is a short list.

Advertising
Promotion of your products or services by an identified sponsor using paid-for media.  This can be traditional print, Internet, outdoor or through media broadcasts such as TV, Cinema or Radio.

Advertorial
An advertisement which is designed to have the appearance of an editorial.  Advertorials are normally labelled as "Advertising" or "This is an advertisement".  A good way is to include a customer case study.

Affiliate Marketing
A form of marketing or advertising used on the internet.  Companies that sell products or services online link to relevant sites.  The advertising on the other or 'affiliate' sites is paid for according to results.  A very effective way of marketing with limited set up costs.

Affinity Marketing
Marketing targeted at individuals sharing common interests that predispose them towards a product, e.g. a travel firm for coach holidays targeting older magazine readers.

Awards
Enter local, regional and national awards to increase your brand awareness and winning an award will give a great testimonial.

Banner Adverts
Adverts on web pages used to build brand awareness or drive traffic to your own website.

Blogs/Blogging
An internet publishing device allowing you to express your thoughts and opinions.  You can use blogs as a marketing communication channel to point customers to your products or services.

Brochures
From single page leaflets to full corporate bespoke brochures.  First impressions count when promoting your company’s products or services.

Buzz
Buzz marketing uses 'word-of-mouth' advertising: potential customers pass round information about a product.  This linked to a promotion on recommending a friend is again a very effective way of increasing your sales. See also 'viral marketing'

Competitions
Sales promotions that allow the consumer the possibility of winning a prize.

Customer Satisfaction Program
Setting up a satisfaction program will reap benefits for long term success.  Continuous improvement is vital and your customers are the people you should be listening to.  Track, Track and implement change.

Direct Mail
Delivery of an advertising or promotional message to customers or potential customers by mail. You need to attract attention and not the bin so make sure you have the right list and the mailer is attractive both on the outside and the inside.

Endorsement
Affirmation, usually from a celebrity, that a product is good.  This can be quite an expensive route but can pay dividends if the right person is used.

E-marketing
Marketing conducted electronically, usually over the Internet.  Email marketing with different messages and promotions to unique parts of your database or a new data list.  Good advice is to give advice and not just the hard sell.  Don’t forget the opt in and out!

Exhibitions
Networking events to industry leading exhibitions.  From a single banner pull up or pop up stand through to a bespoke stand build.  If planned correctly and followed up correctly, exhibitions are perfect for raising awareness and acquiring new business.

Internal Marketing
The process of eliciting support for a company and its activities among its own employees, in order to encourage them to promote its goals.  This process can happen at a number of levels, from increasing awareness of individual products or marketing campaigns, to explaining overall business strategy.

Packaging
Material used to protect goods; also an opportunity to present your brand and logo.

Sales Promotion
A range of techniques used to engage the purchaser.  These may include discounting, coupons, guarantees, free gifts, competitions, vouchers, demonstrations, bonus commission and sponsorship.

Search Marketing
Promoting your company’s website using internet search engines.  Either getting a company website listed in search results (unpaid) or as a listing on the same webpage as the search results (paid).

Sponsorship
Specialised form of sales promotion where you will help fund an event or support a business venture in return for publicity.

Viral Marketing
Spreading a brand message using word of mouth (or electronically - 'word of mouse') from a few points of dissemination.  Typical techniques include using email messages, jokes, web addresses, film clips and games that get forwarded on electronically by recipients.  High click through rates to your website with 000’s or even millions of brand reach.

Websites
You can have a web presence using a single page, a site with multi pages using a content management system or a full ecommerce site with a payment solution to sell your products or services.  Micro sites are also excellent for promoting specific campaigns that you are running.