Not 100% sure what marketing is, or how to do it?
- Thread starter AllUpHere
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Rather than debate our own views of marketing the Business Dictionary . com has this definition which will include branding as a marketing process.
The management process through which goods and services move from concept to the customer. It includes the coordination of four elements called the 4 P's of marketing:
(1) identification, selection and development of a product,
(2) determination of its price,
(3) selection of a distribution channel to reach the customer's place, and
(4) development and implementation of a promotional strategy.
The management process through which goods and services move from concept to the customer. It includes the coordination of four elements called the 4 P's of marketing:
(1) identification, selection and development of a product,
(2) determination of its price,
(3) selection of a distribution channel to reach the customer's place, and
(4) development and implementation of a promotional strategy.
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What is Marketing?
Well, it deals with customers. Simply, it's managing profitable customer relationships.
So, you need to create products and services that satisfy customer needs, provide superior customer value, then price, distribute, and promote said products and services effectively. These products and services should sell quite easily.
Advertising and Sales are marketing tools - part of a marketing mix. They are only the tip of the marketing arsenal.
In practice: Understand customer needs and wants > Design customer-driven strategy > Build a marketing programme to deliver value > Create profitable relationships > Capture value from customers to create profits and quality
Good luck
Well, it deals with customers. Simply, it's managing profitable customer relationships.
So, you need to create products and services that satisfy customer needs, provide superior customer value, then price, distribute, and promote said products and services effectively. These products and services should sell quite easily.
Advertising and Sales are marketing tools - part of a marketing mix. They are only the tip of the marketing arsenal.
In practice: Understand customer needs and wants > Design customer-driven strategy > Build a marketing programme to deliver value > Create profitable relationships > Capture value from customers to create profits and quality
Good luck
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Xcite Digital
What is Marketing?
Well, it deals with customers. Simply, it's managing profitable customer relationships.
So, you need to create products and services that satisfy customer needs, provide superior customer value, then price, distribute, and promote said products and services effectively. These products and services should sell quite easily.
Advertising and Sales are marketing tools - part of a marketing mix. They are only the tip of the marketing arsenal.
In practice: Understand customer needs and wants > Design customer-driven strategy > Build a marketing programme to deliver value > Create profitable relationships > Capture value from customers to create profits and quality
Good luck
@Elliottc26 & @AllUpHere - Agreed!
A lot of us will often fall into the trap of considering marketing as just carrying out an advertising strategy, when in fact it's all the different processes involved in retaining existing customers (such as calling up regular customers about their experience) and attracting new customers.
When I say attracting new customers, it's not just all about advertising your products/services on websites and social media, but answering enquiries and improving your products / services based on market research is another part of marketing.
I guess a lot of businesses underestimate the activities they run in the background - e.g. choosing the best supplier for materials to create your products with, dealing with work requests from clients courteously, and creating training guides for using your products / services - and so they wouldn't class these as being ways of marketing their business. The truth is, a lot of activities we do behind our company names affects our companies in some way. Just like how many of us are engaging in this forum, we're promoting our brand's personality even in an informal environment.
I definitely think 100% of the activities that get carried out in businesses should be considered as marketing, although this might be biased of me since I come from a company that does nothing but marketing
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There is definately a consistent confusion on the difference between marketing and branding. Also time and again i come across people claiming never to have carried out any marketing, but often they mean they have never advertised.
It would be very difficult to project your business, while wishing to project the best possible impression without having thought about branding even if you don't know it, and very difficult to find someone to project it to, without marketing.
It would be very difficult to project your business, while wishing to project the best possible impression without having thought about branding even if you don't know it, and very difficult to find someone to project it to, without marketing.
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Richard White
This thread started off with the premise that small business owners do not understand what marketing is or how to do it. The thread has just shown that there are many different opinions
Its a bit like different people trying to describe an elephant....
one person says "its a big grey mammal",
another says "not that no right...its an animal with tusks and a long trunk"
etc etc
The poor business owner is trying to get the picture of marketing and is only getting bits of it from different people and getting confused
I am not sure of the definitive answer to the "what is it?" question that will make everyone happy....we all have our own agendas and priorities. I think my old marketing professor would have had the same trouble. How to do it is much easier
I normally work with business owners looking for more clients and I keep it simple by saying that marketing is about getting the phone to ring. Sales is what you do once the phone rings
Its not a perfect answer that will satisfy everyone but it works for them.
Its a bit like different people trying to describe an elephant....
one person says "its a big grey mammal",
another says "not that no right...its an animal with tusks and a long trunk"
etc etc
The poor business owner is trying to get the picture of marketing and is only getting bits of it from different people and getting confused
I am not sure of the definitive answer to the "what is it?" question that will make everyone happy....we all have our own agendas and priorities. I think my old marketing professor would have had the same trouble. How to do it is much easier
I normally work with business owners looking for more clients and I keep it simple by saying that marketing is about getting the phone to ring. Sales is what you do once the phone rings
Its not a perfect answer that will satisfy everyone but it works for them.
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beasty
Just go read a marketing book on the 7ps
That is all you need to know to distinguish between, marketing, sales and branding
The terms are not interchangeable
The line above about marketing is what you do to get the phone to ring, sales is what you do once they ring is pretty much it in a line, people talk about sales and marketing agencies when they do telesales, sorry to disappoint you but you are not marketing a product, you are selling it, big difference.
That is all you need to know to distinguish between, marketing, sales and branding
The terms are not interchangeable
The line above about marketing is what you do to get the phone to ring, sales is what you do once they ring is pretty much it in a line, people talk about sales and marketing agencies when they do telesales, sorry to disappoint you but you are not marketing a product, you are selling it, big difference.
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Nord20
Speaking as a business owner, I looked up from my work as this thread peaked my interest - the OP made some interesting points in the...OP.
But from then on it really has been an argument over semantics. I can tell you now that any business owner would be completely turned off by this - as most of you surmised, small businesses don't have dedicated teams, each person with their own specific label.
You can call yourself Grand Emperor Ming the Marketeer if it makes you feel good, but what we really care about is where you fit on the GSD scale (getting sh** done). If your activities, be they considered marketing or not, get a lot done, fab. If they don't, it doesn't matter what you call it.
Arguing about what label to put on various tasks is simply an exercise in activity, not productivity. Having read every post in this thread, I feel no more enlightened than I did at the start, other than to think about what 'everything you do is marketing' actually means. If it is true, it just means the word 'marketing' has no value, as it describes nothing, or everything, depending on how you look at it.
And in AllUpHere's defence, I completely understand why he/she would want to remain anonymous and I think some may have taken the phrase 'everything you do is marketing' a little too explicitly. Going to sleep is not marketing, but we all do it. I think most people would assume the context to be within a work environment, which this forum is not.
But from then on it really has been an argument over semantics. I can tell you now that any business owner would be completely turned off by this - as most of you surmised, small businesses don't have dedicated teams, each person with their own specific label.
You can call yourself Grand Emperor Ming the Marketeer if it makes you feel good, but what we really care about is where you fit on the GSD scale (getting sh** done). If your activities, be they considered marketing or not, get a lot done, fab. If they don't, it doesn't matter what you call it.
Arguing about what label to put on various tasks is simply an exercise in activity, not productivity. Having read every post in this thread, I feel no more enlightened than I did at the start, other than to think about what 'everything you do is marketing' actually means. If it is true, it just means the word 'marketing' has no value, as it describes nothing, or everything, depending on how you look at it.
And in AllUpHere's defence, I completely understand why he/she would want to remain anonymous and I think some may have taken the phrase 'everything you do is marketing' a little too explicitly. Going to sleep is not marketing, but we all do it. I think most people would assume the context to be within a work environment, which this forum is not.
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So guys I didn't make a whole new thread for my question because I didn't see the point when there are already established threads (like this) around.
So I'm starting an advertising company but am finding difficulties in finding firms to advertise for. By this I mean I don't know what part of a company to enquire to about renting my advertising space to them. I mean do I contact the PR team?? Who is the individual within the company to go to for companies like Pepsi and Vodafone etc. I would really appreciate any sort of direction you guys give me or any help.
Many thanks
So I'm starting an advertising company but am finding difficulties in finding firms to advertise for. By this I mean I don't know what part of a company to enquire to about renting my advertising space to them. I mean do I contact the PR team?? Who is the individual within the company to go to for companies like Pepsi and Vodafone etc. I would really appreciate any sort of direction you guys give me or any help.
Many thanks
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Now that was one of the most positive and straightforward opinions I've read so far.
Totally made me smile, thank you
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beasty
1. An advert is an advert
2. Branding is your company ethos, image, values and public perception (It is not your logo) the logo simply identifies your company so the public quickly knows they are dealing with a company whose image, values and ethos, product works for them.
(WHAT DOES YOUR BUSINESS STAND FOR)
3. Marketing is what you do to identify a suitable product, price it correctly and aim it at the correct audience the actions you take to generate awareness and enquiries. Adverts are part of marketing.
(How do we getThe right product, the right person, the right price, is how i sum it up)
4. Sales is selling something, you can do inbound if you are marketing your product or outbound, which may include creating product awareness, through your marketing efforts you should already have the right product, price and person, you just need to close the sale.
Let me recall the 7ps from memory otherwise known as the marketing mix, handy to know off by heart
Product
Price
Place
Promotion
and for services
People
Process
Physical Evidence
2. Branding is your company ethos, image, values and public perception (It is not your logo) the logo simply identifies your company so the public quickly knows they are dealing with a company whose image, values and ethos, product works for them.
(WHAT DOES YOUR BUSINESS STAND FOR)
3. Marketing is what you do to identify a suitable product, price it correctly and aim it at the correct audience the actions you take to generate awareness and enquiries. Adverts are part of marketing.
(How do we getThe right product, the right person, the right price, is how i sum it up)
4. Sales is selling something, you can do inbound if you are marketing your product or outbound, which may include creating product awareness, through your marketing efforts you should already have the right product, price and person, you just need to close the sale.
Let me recall the 7ps from memory otherwise known as the marketing mix, handy to know off by heart
Product
Price
Place
Promotion
and for services
People
Process
Physical Evidence
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beasty
4 ps for physical products with 3 additional that apply to services
Actually someone a few months ago told me there are now 8 but i cannot recall what he said the new one is.
Ethical PR, you write Marketing donut in an enormous amount of posts, do you have a connection? I have noticed this for a long time, someone asks a question you give a fluffy marketing answers (Never specific DO this) always have a strategic plan, use focus groups, see marketing donut for info.
Actually someone a few months ago told me there are now 8 but i cannot recall what he said the new one is.
Ethical PR, you write Marketing donut in an enormous amount of posts, do you have a connection? I have noticed this for a long time, someone asks a question you give a fluffy marketing answers (Never specific DO this) always have a strategic plan, use focus groups, see marketing donut for info.
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Wow Beasty - another post from you insulting my responses...I'll try not to take it personally
Happy to answer your questions. As I mentioned in the other post you made questioning me on this. I don't have a connection with Marketing Donut I just happen to think it's a good resource for small businesses as it has lots of 'how to ' guides on all aspects of marketing and forums you can use if you have specific questions which are answered by marketing professionals.
People on here often recommend blogs, books, courses, forums, website platforms etc Do you ask them if they have a connection?
Wow 'fluffy marketing answers' ....probably goes with my pink nails, perma tan and lambrini.
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beasty
http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/search/1543592/?q=marketing+donut&o=date
you need a strategy
you need to research your niche
try marketing donut
Pretty ongoing and consistent
Saying this stuff is not helpful in any way, what action can someone perform as a result of reading a post like that EXCEPT go to Marketing Donut.
In case you were not aware, most people on this forum would prefer USEFUL answers HERE v a couple of vague marketing terms and a suggestion to go look at a rival website
you need a strategy
you need to research your niche
try marketing donut
Pretty ongoing and consistent
Saying this stuff is not helpful in any way, what action can someone perform as a result of reading a post like that EXCEPT go to Marketing Donut.
In case you were not aware, most people on this forum would prefer USEFUL answers HERE v a couple of vague marketing terms and a suggestion to go look at a rival website
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So you have decided to pick out a few posts out of the thousands I have made on here over the years.....well done !
...and people wonder why there aren't many women who use this forum or regularly contribute.
If you don't like my posts feel free to put me on ignore.
Sorry all for disrupting the thread.
...and people wonder why there aren't many women who use this forum or regularly contribute.
If you don't like my posts feel free to put me on ignore.
Sorry all for disrupting the thread.
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beasty
Randomly clicking on your posts linked above they are all the same
Do you have a strategy?
Have you identified channels?
What is your niche?
Marketing donut can help, go there! Anyone who clicks on that link and randomly clicks your posts will see they are all the same, NOTHING TO ACTUALLY DO the only action you offer time and time again is to leave this site and go to another.
If you can offer ANYTHING PRACTICAL ON STRATEGY why not post THAT
A child can use these terms and link, it is pointless even posting that all you are doing is sending people elsewhere, you should apolgise for consistently undermining this forum by sending people to another rather than the fact that you got called on it.
Do you have a strategy?
Have you identified channels?
What is your niche?
Marketing donut can help, go there! Anyone who clicks on that link and randomly clicks your posts will see they are all the same, NOTHING TO ACTUALLY DO the only action you offer time and time again is to leave this site and go to another.
If you can offer ANYTHING PRACTICAL ON STRATEGY why not post THAT
A child can use these terms and link, it is pointless even posting that all you are doing is sending people elsewhere, you should apolgise for consistently undermining this forum by sending people to another rather than the fact that you got called on it.
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As I have already mentioned you have pulled out less than 50 posts I have made in which I have mentioned Marketing Donut - out of more than 3500 posts I have made.
During the time I have been here I have tried to offer advice and comment, and don't , like some members use it as an opportunity to push my business regardless of what is being asked/debated.
I've already answered the points you have raised, but as you ignore my responses, I will leave you to it.
Perhaps, when you've calmed down, you should apologise to the Forum for disrupting threads with your personal rants.
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What is the actual purpose of marketing?
Marketing is supposed to help facilitate your prospects' decision-making process. Prospects need to buy what you sell and sometimes they need to be educated to the fact that they need to buy what you sell in the first place. Other times they already know that they want it but they need help deciding who they should buy it from. Often they think they might want what you sell, but they have questions and concerns that need to be overcome.
Instead of using marketing to educate and facilitate the decision-making process and build the case why a product or service is the best on the market... most businesses fill their marketing with self-serving jargon that’s only a thinly-veiled way to say, “buy it from me because I want you to give me the money instead of my competitor.
Prospective buyers want and need to be educated so that they can feel confident when making their purchase decision and no one's providing it
Marketing is supposed to help facilitate your prospects' decision-making process. Prospects need to buy what you sell and sometimes they need to be educated to the fact that they need to buy what you sell in the first place. Other times they already know that they want it but they need help deciding who they should buy it from. Often they think they might want what you sell, but they have questions and concerns that need to be overcome.
Instead of using marketing to educate and facilitate the decision-making process and build the case why a product or service is the best on the market... most businesses fill their marketing with self-serving jargon that’s only a thinly-veiled way to say, “buy it from me because I want you to give me the money instead of my competitor.
Prospective buyers want and need to be educated so that they can feel confident when making their purchase decision and no one's providing it
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The above is very helpful.
I run a small online fashion jewellery boutique. I started in Cecemebre so it's by early days for me. I work full time and run my boutique as a hobby. However, I still want to build it up into a successful small business.
One of my drawbacks is the fact that I have no prior experience in this field so I am doing all of this myself and just basically going with the flow.
I've been happy with the response so far, we have quite a lot of repeat customers which is great. But I think I'm lacking with the volume of customers if I'm honest.
I have pages on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & Pinterest as they are all popular, but I understand that they will not necessarily get the sales in.
I am now at a stage where I want to work at growing it.
I run a small online fashion jewellery boutique. I started in Cecemebre so it's by early days for me. I work full time and run my boutique as a hobby. However, I still want to build it up into a successful small business.
One of my drawbacks is the fact that I have no prior experience in this field so I am doing all of this myself and just basically going with the flow.
I've been happy with the response so far, we have quite a lot of repeat customers which is great. But I think I'm lacking with the volume of customers if I'm honest.
I have pages on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & Pinterest as they are all popular, but I understand that they will not necessarily get the sales in.
I am now at a stage where I want to work at growing it.
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You've chosen a very competitive field to play in and there are several issues working against buying jewellry online - people like to see and touch and there are trust issues to get over. The first is getting less of an issue as people adjust but the second can only be overcome as you're reputation builds.
But your biggest problem will be that you're invisibe online so you need to be working on that. It starts with understanding SEO and making sure your web site is optimised to be found when people search for whatever it is you specialise in. (You do have a specialty I hope? If you're selling bog standard jewellry I'd give up now.)
You then need to ensure that your site looks good and presents your stuff in the best way and that people can buy from you easily and with confidence. Generally this means finding really good website developers that you can work with and trust over time.
Building reputations take time - especially online. You need to treat it as a long term project - at least 5 years. Reputation and sales generally build locally and spread outwards. Tell everybody you know what you're doing, give friends discounts. Carry business cards and flyers. Do weekend markets. Sell into local jewellry shops, put your cards in the boxes. Tell your local newspaper and make friends there - if there's a local angle on what you do, use it - feed them stories, they need them. In other words do everything you can think of to get your work out there.
And above all give fabulous, personalised service - word of mouth is your best friend when you're small.
Marketing is mostly common sense, it's not a magic formula and you'll find most books on the subject are useless to you because they're either get rich quick, airport fodder, business celebrity based PR or based on multinational megacorp research. Keep it simple and personal, work hard at it and don't give up unless it's utterly hopeless - most successful small businesses made it by just sticking at it for long enough.
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That's a good idea...why not recommend one to us?
And when you've made enough spammy posts you could even include a link
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Interesting threads (and clearly thought provoking) only thing I didn't really agree with or potentially understand was
"....your 'marketing success' has come mainly from efforts that would not traditionally be seen as marketing, for example putting the effort into finding out what services would best meet the needs of your clients"
the part in bold IS a marketing fundamental surely? Or have I misunderstood?
"....your 'marketing success' has come mainly from efforts that would not traditionally be seen as marketing, for example putting the effort into finding out what services would best meet the needs of your clients"
the part in bold IS a marketing fundamental surely? Or have I misunderstood?
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Andrew Chambers
Interesting thread. What is apparent, and there are examples of it on this thread, is that so many don't understand that everything the do is marketing their business. In particular those on this forum who have their business details in their signature and then get into arguments, show their ignorance or just say totally stupid things. Two come to mind straight away, one who claimed his clients are "insignificant", and another who moaned about clients trying to phone him after 5pm. I guess you call that anti-marketing.
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This seems to be a very interesting topic. I have recently decided to start my own business selling storage containers and have thought of marketing as advertising the product and delivering excellent customer service. I don't have much experience in this area although I am getting people calling for repeat business.
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@alacrity you seem to have it more clear than a lot of well seasoned marketers! I am guessing but it is likely your getting repeat business as 'you' are the business i.e. personal, 1to1 service etc.
There's a lot made of automated marketing, web..... (I'm guilty as charged) but fundamental is delivering a great product, to the right people at the right time. Service is key and doing that right supports your price message.
Marketing simplified but it seems to work beyond any 'fads'.
There's a lot made of automated marketing, web..... (I'm guilty as charged) but fundamental is delivering a great product, to the right people at the right time. Service is key and doing that right supports your price message.
Marketing simplified but it seems to work beyond any 'fads'.
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Hi All Up Here and Others - some Good Points and an interesting thread, even the in between banter!
Marketing is a fundamental part of any business although I wouldn't say it's "everything you do", unless of course you are an experienced Marketer because, it is what you do!
So Marketing - what is it to me....??
Marketing can be said to help "feed a business" so in essence it's simply creating tools that assist you to achieve your business or personal objectives.
It's about increasing the visibility of your brand, the proposition or something that you want to shout out about with the end game of generating revenue.
Marketing - passive, aggressive, interactive, proactive or reactive - some are great at it, others not so, quite a few don't even realise they are doing it (or even where to start) and others will never admit they are doing it!
For any business that thinks they don't need marketing - good on you!
Why??
It's a great way to pitch yourselves to prospective clients so in turn that says
"Hey, Look we don't have sales guys, we're not going to hassle you so don't feel pressured to use our service - but you can if you want to"
Some may say it's a passive or reverse marketing ploy - clever eh!
For those who suggest they don't have a marketing budget - good on ya!
Why?
Clever spending in other areas can be beneficial and if you're creative with things then of course you may not need to have one (a marketing budget) -
Awards and alike can be bought to enhance the visibility of, even the credibility of a business or to enhance the sale because ("our competitor hasn't got one")
In turn isn't this then a marketing tool which would be used by a good sales person...?!!!
Realistically if you're paying out for people to manage your social media, printing your logo on paper, a link to your website, investing in SEO, benefiting from PR (whether Free or Not) there's a cost in this and of course an objective - marketing or increasing the visibility of your business....
So my conclusion...
We're all victims of marketing and at the same time we like it because without it where would your business be?
In my opinion, many have forgotten how to manage relationships and with the evolution of Technology, Social Media etc many have forgotten how to have an old fashioned conversation chit-chat!
A great thought provoking post and some interesting comments so hope mine are too - have a great night
Nick
Marketing is a fundamental part of any business although I wouldn't say it's "everything you do", unless of course you are an experienced Marketer because, it is what you do!
So Marketing - what is it to me....??
Marketing can be said to help "feed a business" so in essence it's simply creating tools that assist you to achieve your business or personal objectives.
It's about increasing the visibility of your brand, the proposition or something that you want to shout out about with the end game of generating revenue.
Marketing - passive, aggressive, interactive, proactive or reactive - some are great at it, others not so, quite a few don't even realise they are doing it (or even where to start) and others will never admit they are doing it!
For any business that thinks they don't need marketing - good on you!
Why??
It's a great way to pitch yourselves to prospective clients so in turn that says
"Hey, Look we don't have sales guys, we're not going to hassle you so don't feel pressured to use our service - but you can if you want to"
Some may say it's a passive or reverse marketing ploy - clever eh!
For those who suggest they don't have a marketing budget - good on ya!
Why?
Clever spending in other areas can be beneficial and if you're creative with things then of course you may not need to have one (a marketing budget) -
Awards and alike can be bought to enhance the visibility of, even the credibility of a business or to enhance the sale because ("our competitor hasn't got one")
In turn isn't this then a marketing tool which would be used by a good sales person...?!!!
Realistically if you're paying out for people to manage your social media, printing your logo on paper, a link to your website, investing in SEO, benefiting from PR (whether Free or Not) there's a cost in this and of course an objective - marketing or increasing the visibility of your business....
So my conclusion...
We're all victims of marketing and at the same time we like it because without it where would your business be?
In my opinion, many have forgotten how to manage relationships and with the evolution of Technology, Social Media etc many have forgotten how to have an old fashioned conversation chit-chat!
A great thought provoking post and some interesting comments so hope mine are too - have a great night
Nick
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Hi guys,
In my opinion, before writing any article or post one should put the information in the most effective way possible and reading it at least few times after would not hurt also. Otherwise it might not have(or have very little) value for people with whom you intended to share your insights.
Saying that one must look to every business aspect as marketing effort does not teach anything in particular. By the way most effective way of teaching that I know to this day is through examples, so people can make relationship between what they know and what they don't (isn't that called learning?).
I do understand where author comes from by proposing idea that we need to look at all our efforts in business from a marketing perspective and to "put ourselves to our potential customer's shoes" in order to grasp a knowledge of how they see us from every day interactions to a business as their brand of choice. It does ring a bell to me, but I would dare to say that it does not tell much to a person who wants to learn what is marketing and more importantly - how they can start putting it to practice or at least take one concept(practical idea/technique?) that resonates with them.
Please do not take it as a critique or as personal in any way and I think that in future we will see more focused and less general threads with a little more value for people to take away.
Thanks for sharing Your insights.
To people who has a business which could stand some growth - marketing strategy(or even a plan) is a great way to make it happen. I personally don't think that traditional ways of marketing will make a difference as there is big chance that your competitors are using this stuff that you want to learn, so you will have hard time differentiating yourself, wouldn't be better to shortcut the process and start marketing your USP(Unique Selling Proposition) right now?
Now if you really want to nail the basics of "Where Why & What People Buy" my advice would be to start forging your knowledge around things like Neuromarketing. Best place to start is Consumer Behavior which will include "commercial" cognitive & emotional behavior and as soon as you"ll get in alignment with that stuff you will "boom like a sun ray through any cloud". I know it sounds fancy and it might look like some serious next level stuff - it's not. After some time you will start noticing things in a TV(some commercials will start to make sense to you) or in internet that companies using every single day to catch our attention, change perception or influence our decisions. However the best part about it is that out-of-the-box ideas will come, your customer behavior will start to make sense and eventually you will come up with some good ideas why your customers don't and do things regarding your products. After that you can fly straight to the world of marketing techniques and strategies by having a knowledge how people operate. You'll be able to adjust and customize things in order to get best results and maximum optimization. Then you can base your sales tactics to support your marketing strategy, not compete or interfere! Happy days.
After you learn some of neuromarketing principles you can expect lots of benefits for your business or even ideas. There are information all over the internet, just google neuromarketing, consumer behavior, cognitive behavior, buying behavior(lots of pdfs). When I was looking for information I red over 8000 pages of academic articles only, also you'll find that case studies very good learning method.
That would be my advice if you guys want to know what you are doing before diving deep into techniques and strategies.
I'm not stating that you need to lock yourself up and become crazy psycho who wants to manipulate our fellow human race and exploit them in any possible way! Instead I would recommend to dedicate at least 90 minutes per day for studying customer behavior, learning new concepts, repeating it and try to find examples in real world of how they're used - create a mini-hobby.
I would call that Commercial Enlightenment
In my opinion, before writing any article or post one should put the information in the most effective way possible and reading it at least few times after would not hurt also. Otherwise it might not have(or have very little) value for people with whom you intended to share your insights.
Saying that one must look to every business aspect as marketing effort does not teach anything in particular. By the way most effective way of teaching that I know to this day is through examples, so people can make relationship between what they know and what they don't (isn't that called learning?).
I do understand where author comes from by proposing idea that we need to look at all our efforts in business from a marketing perspective and to "put ourselves to our potential customer's shoes" in order to grasp a knowledge of how they see us from every day interactions to a business as their brand of choice. It does ring a bell to me, but I would dare to say that it does not tell much to a person who wants to learn what is marketing and more importantly - how they can start putting it to practice or at least take one concept(practical idea/technique?) that resonates with them.
Please do not take it as a critique or as personal in any way and I think that in future we will see more focused and less general threads with a little more value for people to take away.
Thanks for sharing Your insights.
To people who has a business which could stand some growth - marketing strategy(or even a plan) is a great way to make it happen. I personally don't think that traditional ways of marketing will make a difference as there is big chance that your competitors are using this stuff that you want to learn, so you will have hard time differentiating yourself, wouldn't be better to shortcut the process and start marketing your USP(Unique Selling Proposition) right now?
Now if you really want to nail the basics of "Where Why & What People Buy" my advice would be to start forging your knowledge around things like Neuromarketing. Best place to start is Consumer Behavior which will include "commercial" cognitive & emotional behavior and as soon as you"ll get in alignment with that stuff you will "boom like a sun ray through any cloud". I know it sounds fancy and it might look like some serious next level stuff - it's not. After some time you will start noticing things in a TV(some commercials will start to make sense to you) or in internet that companies using every single day to catch our attention, change perception or influence our decisions. However the best part about it is that out-of-the-box ideas will come, your customer behavior will start to make sense and eventually you will come up with some good ideas why your customers don't and do things regarding your products. After that you can fly straight to the world of marketing techniques and strategies by having a knowledge how people operate. You'll be able to adjust and customize things in order to get best results and maximum optimization. Then you can base your sales tactics to support your marketing strategy, not compete or interfere! Happy days.
After you learn some of neuromarketing principles you can expect lots of benefits for your business or even ideas. There are information all over the internet, just google neuromarketing, consumer behavior, cognitive behavior, buying behavior(lots of pdfs). When I was looking for information I red over 8000 pages of academic articles only, also you'll find that case studies very good learning method.
That would be my advice if you guys want to know what you are doing before diving deep into techniques and strategies.
I'm not stating that you need to lock yourself up and become crazy psycho who wants to manipulate our fellow human race and exploit them in any possible way! Instead I would recommend to dedicate at least 90 minutes per day for studying customer behavior, learning new concepts, repeating it and try to find examples in real world of how they're used - create a mini-hobby.
I would call that Commercial Enlightenment
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- Original Poster
- #120
I've neglected this thread for a while but just read through all the replies since my last post. Thanks to all those who have contributed, there are some excellent points (both from those who agree with me, and also from those who don't).
I take on board the criticism that the thread has been very general (and maybe a little vague in its content), but that was really the point. If we tried to lead the conversation onto specifics we could easily find ourselves with 1000 pages, making it impossible for anyone to find info relevant to them.
Advice regarding specifics is fairly easy to come by. In my experience the mistakes people make are often lead by lack of an over-all strategy, or decent understanding of the very basics, hence the thread.
I suppose the long and the short of it is this; try thinking of everything you do from a marketing perspective, and see if it helps. If you aren't quite sure how to do that, get in touch and I'll try to explain my thoughts in a way most relevant to your business type.
I take on board the criticism that the thread has been very general (and maybe a little vague in its content), but that was really the point. If we tried to lead the conversation onto specifics we could easily find ourselves with 1000 pages, making it impossible for anyone to find info relevant to them.
Advice regarding specifics is fairly easy to come by. In my experience the mistakes people make are often lead by lack of an over-all strategy, or decent understanding of the very basics, hence the thread.
I suppose the long and the short of it is this; try thinking of everything you do from a marketing perspective, and see if it helps. If you aren't quite sure how to do that, get in touch and I'll try to explain my thoughts in a way most relevant to your business type.
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