Marketing Book

[Smile-Zone]

Hi there
If there was one marketing book you felt impossible to be without what would it be?
The reason I ask is that having started Smile-Zone I find the whole Marketing and PR concept fascinating. I am trying to develop ideas and impliment them into my business but so far I think my success has been down to building relationships and thats it. I now want to step up and make Smile-Zone the name that people associate with laser teeth whitening. Ok maybe a grand statement to make but aim for the stars and all that.......
Oh and one other thing. As a novice to Marketing and PR I have seen the intials SEO in a few posts and wondered what that meant.
Thanks
Andrew
www.smile-zone.co.uk

 

[multilingual]

If you really want to get into marketing properly, then I can recommend contacting CIM via their website, find out a local tutor and enrol on a certificate or diploma course.

Most of their assigments are work-based, so you apply the theoretical concepts to your own business as you go along and then write an academic report after each module to show that you have understood it all.

Very worthwhile.

I have read heaps of books on marketing over the years, but my CIM Professional Diploma course gave me much more usable knowledge.

SEO - Search Engine Optimisation. Trying to build a web site in a way that places it higher up the search results of Google, Yahoo, Live, etc so that buyers find your site ahead of your competitors.

JB

 

[Robert Bone]

On the subject of "marketing books", is there any that anyone would recommend?

I need to give things a push and up the marketing, but I can't afford to get it wrong! Any good books to start in the right direction.

 

[Robert Bone]

I just thought I'd add a little more to my situation. I've done some searching on the forum and marketing books is a common subject of thread, but what I'm looking for is something different to the norm.

As a magician I am a sole-trader and I'm not selling products from a website or shop. Having a brand or logo isn't something that will make me stand out from the other opportunities.

However, I need to get more people wanting to have a magician attend their Wedding or party and perform for them, and preferably use me to do this.

I used to work in sales and can get a good conversion once I get the enquiry, but I need more ideas and hence want to know where to market myself cost-effectively for the best response.

Many thanks in advance.

 

[RedEvo]

Generally I've been with Bill Hicks on the whole notion of marketing. However, in recent times I've looked at some of the work of Seth Godin. In particular Purple Cow.

Worth a read.

Oh and just in case anyones wondering, no, the embedded links are not affiliate links, just good old fashioned links.

The Bill Hicks may offend some.

d

 

[directmarketingadvice]

I now want to step up and make Smile-Zone the name that people associate with laser teeth whitening. Ok maybe a grand statement to make but aim for the stars and all that.......

If that's your goal, a book I'd recommend is "Positioning" by Trout and Ries.

Steve