There are lies, damned lies and statistics.

If you’ve always been a bit wary of online statistics about marketing, you’re not alone. There are thousands of them out there and many aren’t true or get misinterpreted.

To help, here are a few I’ve dug out from the many to help inform your 2021 marketing strategy and what they mean.

1. Get your SEO right

According to BrightEdge, 68% of experiences online start with a query on a search engine like Google. SEO is still an important part of any marketing strategy. While getting it right takes time and effort it should continue to be a priority for your business in 2021.

SEO essentials for search success:

• Crawl accessibility (aka spiders) - ‘Crawling’ is what search engines do to look at your site and determine what information is on there.
• Compelling content - Once a person visits your site, you should aim to keep them there and give them the information they’re looking for. Blogs, news, product...

Word of mouth recommendations are one of the oldest (and most believable) forms of marketing in the world – and still one of the most effective!

It’s not you telling the world how wonderful you are – it’s SOMEONE ELSE – which can be incredibly powerful, especially when it’s fellow professionals and customers words we trust most.

It also helps build and promote your personal brand with your ambassadors, role models and influencers.

Where to begin?

LinkedIn is one of the best special platforms for enabling this – using ‘Endorsements’ and ‘Recommendations’.

The difference between LinkedIn ‘Endorsements’ and ‘Recommendations’:

Endorsements can be given by any of your connections, including people who have never worked with you.

Recommendations are those that you either have to specifically request, or specifically accept from someone. They are about as close as...

As we slowly exit lockdown and life returns to some type of normality, are you revising or making new plans for your marketing and sales strategy for the rest of the year?

   Will it be the same as previous?

   Focusing on the same customers and target consumers?

   Using the same marketing tools and channels?

   Spending the same budget?

   Hoping (and praying) for the same results as this time last year?

If so - STOP!

Before you spend a penny more on your marketing, conduct an audit.

Far too many businesses make the mistake of throwing money at the same marketing and sales activities, not really sure what they will achieve - hoping it will go back to the 'good ole' days'!

Business has changed.

Consumers have changed. 

Marketing has changed!

Marketing can be an expensive activity for your business, so it's good to know what's working and what isn't - long before you invest your...

There’s been a common theme recently in the emails and messages I’ve been receiving from some of my clients and contacts...

‘Our website is receiving less traffic – even though we’re still posting fresh content...’

‘My LinkedIn posts are receiving fewer likes, comments and shares...’

‘Our weekly email newsletter has been receiving fewer opens and clicks...’

‘My sales have declined dramatically...’

All of which can be very disheartening.

However...

Whilst being regular and present with your marketing is still REALLY important - life has changed.

And, your target audience may no longer desire the same types of communication they previously used to like... desire – even relish!

Maybe this is a good opportunity to change the way in which you communicate with your target audience?

But how?

  Make your marketing more relatable, authentic and empathetic. 

Use scenarios, stories and real-life...

Before I begin, I must apologise in advance – I’m going to be using the ‘c’ word throughout.

I know some people feel very uncomfortable when they hear the ‘c’ word.

I know some people would much rather it didn’t exist in our vocabulary.

But nevertheless, we need to face up to it – now, more than ever.

I am of course referring to ‘change’.

There, I’ve said it!!

If you’re already feeling offended, please don’t read on.

Change occurs often when we least expect it – and it can be immediate or over a long period of time.

One thing that is for certain, business is in a period of change at present.

A period of ‘forced’ change.

We can no longer physically meet face-to-face – for meetings, group training, seminars and conferences.

We can no longer meet for a coffee, lunch or go to the pub or even share dinner after work. 

And we can no longer share a joke or some juicy gossip with our...

Marketing your business can be challenging at the best times - so much to consider from consistently developing ways to engage, communicate and promote your brand through to implementing, managing and measuring your campaigns. 

There are a plethora of tools available to help reach your objectives - some paid and some free. None replace a solid marketing strategy and human interaction, but each can help manage the stress and strains of planning and running  your marketing campaigns.

Here's my top 20 FREE tools for creating and managing your marketing campaigns:

Ubersuggest

UberSuggest is a free marketing tool that provides you with essential marketing data such as - Keyword ideas, content ideas, web traffic, SEO difficulty and much more. Created by the Search Guru - Neil Patel, this tool will help you to optimise your website and get ahead of your competitors.

Buffer

Buffer (an alternative to Hootsuite) is a software application for the...

In light of the current situation regarding Coronavirus, many business owners, coaches and consultants will be feeling anxious and discouraged about investing in their marketing activities. 

This can lead to a detrimental effect on their business, causing more stress and anxiety.

However, marketing doesn't need to cost a fortune, in fact there's much you can do which costs very little - apart from your time and application.

Here's my top 10 tips to market your business without spending a penny:

1. Review your marketing plan – now is the time to take action!

What's working and what’s not?

Can you diversify? Offer something better or more efficient than your competitors?

Consider new markets - new products / services - can they be delivered online?

Download my free planning guide here - when you subscribe to my weekly update.

2. Build a FREE website and email marketing campaign using MailChimp.

3. Network (Online) - over 250,000+ social media groups -...

Ahhh!! Competitors!!!

They’re everywhere – doing their thing...

Marketing and selling their products and services in front of your target audience – yes, OUR target audience!!

It’s so frustrating – right?

Well, actually... competitors can also be good for OUR business...

They can be an invaluable source of information and inspiration – and ultimately help us plan our marketing and sales strategies!

How?

To begin, we need to consider who exactly we're competing with...

Initially it may seem obvious who your competitors are. But it’s not always straightforward as so many factors affect customers’ purchase decisions.

For example... thinking like one of your customers, what are their options? Say they work long hours, yes they could purchase from you – but who else offers the same solution? Who offers more? Your competitors may not be the same as you first thought.

If we then take a closer, more in-depth look at which...

The prospect of marketing your business can be overwhelming, especially when your budget is tight.

But don’t despair! Often the most simple and cost-effective ideas can produce the best results.

Here are my 10 quick and easy tips to spend less and market more!

1. Blog – Still one of the most effective ways to share your knowledge and expertise as well as position your brand and extend your reach. Engage with your desired audience in a more informal way - search engines love them too!
   
   
2. Network (Offline) - People buy from people! It’s a two-way process - making connections and building mutually beneficial relationships.
   
   There are plenty of local and regional networking events from BNI to Network B2B, Chamber of Commerce to FSB. If you can’t find a suitable networking event – why not set up your own?
   
   
3. Network (Online) - Currently over 250,000+ social media groups - region, sector and...

STOP!

Before you spend a penny on your marketing...

How about doing a quick marketing audit?

Marketing can be an expensive activity for your business, so it's good to know what's working and what isn't long before you invest your hard earned cash.

For a small business, a marketing audit doesn't need to be too in depth, just concentrate on the important factors which have a big impact on your business operations, resources and spend. Such as:

Your target audience

Your proposition

Your marketing channels and tools

Your measurement and control