If you miss my last read, you should read it before reading this edition, so you won’t think I am speaking parables 🤣
We talked about suicide marketing, and today we'll finish it up with the basic principles of marketing your business as a small business owner.
But before we dive in, how are you doing? For real, how are you coping with the challenges posed by fuel scarcity, long queues, transportation price hikes, and other related issues? I'm interested to know how these difficulties are impacting your businesses, and I also empathize with the hardships you may be experiencing.
Back to our marketing principles …..
Marketing options are limitless, as we have a unique marketing template for each industry and target audience. Regardless, some things never change, and today I will run you through some processes that work.
The initial step is self-marketing. Prior to engaging with others, it is essential to consider the narrative your brand portrays. Does your brand visually appeal to others? These are inquiries that require your attention
Seek partnerships. Collaboration is one way to achieve your goals faster. What's that adage they say about walking with people getting you far? You should swear your life to good customer service if your business is to thrive. As I do say- Bad customer service is to the private sector, what corruption is to the public sector
Talking about customer service!
We had our customer service training with members of our community on the 30th of May, 2023.
The Customer Service Training session with our SME community members was a resounding success, leaving everyone spellbound.
Equipped with newfound business problem-solving prowess. It was also an opportunity for our community members to meet, interact, and facilitate partnerships.
Thank you all for coming.
Let’s go back to our marketing lesson.
Once you get the first three done, leverage family and friends. - many think doing this means they should be entitled and expect family and friends to do them a favor by patronizing them. No one owes you patronage.
Your family & friends (F&F) should patronize you because if they need/want the product or service you offer, they should have no choice but to patronize you because you provide good quality - or even the best.
Furthermore, everyone has a bit of selfishness. Everyone wants to make money. Adopt a strict referral commission/compensation policy.
No matter how little, find a way to appreciate people who refer you, even if they are your blood siblings or parents. THEY DON'T HAVE TO ASK.
Imagine the combination of being someone's boisterous and enterprising friend or family member who delivers the best products or services and won't embarrass you, and on top of that, pays commissions or shows appreciation.
People will sing your praises to the corners of the world.
Finally, let me emphasize this point again, NETWORK OO. I know this is an over-flogged tip. But I want to simplify it for you. You can't be running a small or medium business and say you are an indoor person. Makes no sense. You have to be visible. The cockroaches in your house won't buy your products.
How can you be visible? Attend events that align with what you do and relate with people who can easily buy your products - remember that. Practice how to engage with people every day and seamlessly introduce what you do in a non-selling way.
What do I mean?
People generally prefer to avoid being sold to at events, because everyone else is selling anyway. So the best way is to engage people in their interest areas and creatively discuss what you do with them (may even be from the perspective of challenges) & KEEP the relationship going
Now imagine effectively combining all these marketing touchpoints without even spending a dime yet.
Then you can gradually grow your customer base and expand your business & marketing budget as your revenue grows. This way, costs are controlled, and it is easy to break even.
This is the end of my marketing story!
What are you going to do differently?!
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By the way, I recently launched my YouTube channel, where I will be spotlighting many small businesses and sharing similar stories and lessons like the one you just read.
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With the deepest love from my heart
Ayo Bankole Akintujoye
Twitter @AyoBankole