2010/08/20

Marketing Requires Creativity


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Marketing is the lifeblood of any business. Without an effective marketing campaign then sales of even the best product will be mediocre. Before you even plan your marketing steps it is necessary to step back and review to whom you will be selling. Without this knowledge then marketing is but an exercise in the dark.

Ideally you will be marketing to a small niche audience. Owners of small businesses often make the mistake of attempting to sell to a broad audience. Mass marketing campaigns require deep resources and extensive expertise. Small businesses are far more suited towards selling to a smaller market which could be narrowly defined.

A narrow audience allows delivery of a custom message. For example, let us assume you own a travel business. Attempting to engage in a broad postcard marketing campaign would not be feasible. However, if you focused on one niche like eco travel, then full color postcards provide plenty of room to amply discuss current eco travel opportunities.

Postcard printing is an effective and economical path to connecting with a niche market. Other opportunities exist online. Creativity within your online marketing is very important. There are myriad competing web sites for all subjects under the sun. To be noticed you must employ all the creativity within you.

Banner ads, cross promotional arrangements and participation within social networking forums are just the start. Businesses can employ all types of techniques ranging from contests to referral bonuses. Each business is unique as are its clientele. Programs need to be crafted to be most attractive to your given niche audience.

Trade shows are excellent forums for creative marketing. From the diversions at your booth to your promotional items you must give great scrutiny to design, colors and the underlying motif. Also important is durability. A promotional item like a notepad which is quickly used and thrown away represents waste of your marketing dollars.

Creativity is needed when selecting these items. Try to pick one that fits your given industry. For example, a pocket screwdriver is a great promotional item for those in the construction and electrical trades. Be creative, however you must stay within parameters of appropriateness for your market.

Creativity does not necessarily entail being loud or wild. It simply represents thinking out of the box. Find new ways of doing things. Postcard printing provides for a very cost effective way to experiment with varying marketing techniques. Special events, sales for frequent customers, referral award programs are all creative ideas which can spur sales.

Boring marketing translates to bored customers. Test your ideas on friends and family. Tap the most creative among your staff. Use the best avenues provided for both online and offline. A creative marketing campaign is your revenue line's best friend.




Janice Jenkins is a writer for a marketing company in Chicago, IL. Mostly into marketing research, Janice started writing articles early 2007 to impart her knowledge to individuals new to the marketing industry.

For comments and inquiries about the article visit: Full Color Postcards, Postcard Printing

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