Half Baked Marketing And Sales Won’t Work In 2017
Marketing and Sales in 2017…
Is your current approach to marketing and sales (especially online) “half baked?”
What does that mean?
It mainly refers to businesses who are primarily focused on getting what they want, without taking time to understand who their customers are, why they buy what they buy, and how best to serve them more.
The way we approach our market is crucial to the success and sustenance of our businesses. Through the years, marketing and sales has grown and changed, but most businesses still operate in the past.
The days of being sleazy, pushy, and salesy and getting away with it are long gone! Without a proper marketing and sales process in place, we have no solid business!
We live in a time of the “sophisticated prospect or consumer”, and that’s because of the internet and technology. An average prospect or consumer of products and services knows how to carry out research, based on what he/she is looking for. He/she makes the buying decision these days, not the brands.
Let’s examine some key areas, in order for us to understand why it’s important to refine our marketing and sales strategies, if we want to scale our business in 2017.
The customer is smart, don’t play games
It’s easy for businesses to assume they already know what their prospects or customers want, but the truth is, the customer holds the final say when it comes to making purchases. If what you’re presenting does not resonate with him/her, then he/she is not going to buy… period!
Businesses think by using certain tactics, they can get round to convincing people to buy what they have to offer. In this day an age, the playing field has been leveled, thanks to the growth of technology, social media, and other digital media… the small business in the corner can now compete with bigger brands, as long as they understand their market, and have the resources to put out value and attract people to their business.
So, rather than play games with the end user, it’s best to understand his/her needs, and cater to that. When that trust is established, then business is bound to thrive, because they’ll be referrals coming in from your existing customers.
Give first, ask later!
Are you adding real value or are you only concerned about making more sales?
Businesses have become more driven by the need to make more sales, and forget that they are actually dealing with human beings, not robots. People have feelings, and more often than not, some of the buying decisions they make are emotional ones. If we trample on that, we’re pretty much telling them we only care about ourselves and not them.
Little wonder most businesses are shutting down… because customers are heading off to where they feel more appreciated.
If you want to keep your existing customers, and also attract more customers, then your goodwill needs to shine through. This has to be genuine though (like I said on the first point, don’t play games with customers… they can “smell a rat” from a mile away). Be yourself, and project great business ethics. The more goodwill you put out there, the more people will be drawn towards your business.
It’s important to know that businesses that have grown into the multi-millions got there mainly because of their existing customers. The customers who stay with you longer are the ones who understand you, see your value, and are willing to go all out (without prompt) to tell others about what you do. Keep them close!
Improve or get reproved
If you’re still running your marketing and sales like it’s 1989, then you might as well close up shop and do something else, because the world has moved on. The “used car salesman” tactics died a terrible death, and was buried ages ago… sadly, a good number of businesses are still using this approach.
It’s important to keep track of the changes within the marketing and sales sector, in order to know how best to apply it within your business. The marketplace determines where things are heading, and any business that’s not aligned with these changes will play catch up (don’t be that business).
With the amount of information that’s accessible today on the web, business owners need to spend some time studying their various niches (and yes, their competition as well), in order to understand how best to improve their marketing and sales processes.
Making assumptions may seem like the right approach, but the problem with that approach is that it won’t get you far. If your marketing and sales does not improve in 2017 and beyond, then there’s a chance of getting left in the dark, while those who are up to date with theirs will be making head way.
Conclusion
As 2016 rolls out, opening up the path for 2017 to roll in, we have to acknowledge the fact that the business ecosystem has come a long way from only a few top brands who were dominating, to a great number of new brands springing up to compete.
Businesses with a good marketing and sales process will always dominate, especially if its aligned with the needs and wants of the marketplace. People buy what they want to buy, when they want to buy, and from whom the choose to buy, so there’s really nothing we can do about that. It’s necessary to keep putting out value as much as we can, in order to stay relevant and also meet the demands out there.
Your turn… do you have your marketing and sales process for 2017 sorted out? Leave a comment below and remember to share this post to your networks using the share buttons below.
To your success!
