7 Marketing Concepts

Marketing is defined by the American Marketing Association as: "the activity, set of institutions, and processes for creating, communicating, delivering, and exchanging offerings that have value for customers, clients, partners, and society at large.“ 

I’m here today to discuss 7 marketing concepts that have worked for me & hopefully can work for you too!

1- BRAND 

Branding is, in my personal opinion, the most important first step to a successful business. It’s the heartbeat behind a company- the who you are & what you are about shown through little details. Consumers don’t recognize how impactful a good brand strategy is for businesses, but as a business owner, it is the most important. Sure, for some it may just seem like picking a good font or a pretty color, but the intention behind logo & graphics, values & mission statement create the pulse that starts & continues through your success. Using my brand for an example of this : My verbiage across all platforms flows with a similar message to my mission statement. Language used in videos tells the stories of NGOs positive work while showing what life is really like. Both imagery & video feel raw/gritty/authentic which goes along with the texture in my logo… bet you didn’t think of that when you first saw it but you’re shaking your head in agreement now that you know. That’s exactly what good branding does.

2- NICHE

I’ve spent time on the blog before explaining my decision to scale down my company & move to Philly. One of the main reasons for this was to lean into the unique niche that I have found. As much as I loved working with the amazing real estate companies I got to shoot for, I just didn’t love that & wanted to really focus on what my passion was- working with orgs that are making a difference in the world. That’s pretty specific if you ask me. Sometimes, when starting out you have to take on jobs that pay the bills, but after hours hard work you get to pare down & focus. I say GET TO on purpose, because I never take one day of this life that I lead doing what I love for granted… but it always comes with a price. 

3- ONE SHEET

If you haven’t created a One Sheet for your business yet, DO IT! A one sheet is like combination of those trifold brochures that are no longer a thing, and a resume. Basically, a snapshot of your skills. This gives interested partners or customers a quick glance into who you are & what you have done… hopefully inspiring what you can do, together, when they decide to work with you.  If you’d like to check out my one sheet, contact me here!

4- SOCIAL 

If you don’t have social media: wake up, realize it’s 2020, & scroll back to read my blog about it!

5- TESTIMONIALS 

No one can sell you better than people you have worked with in the past. They know you, they know what you can do. Take the time to create interview settings & let people say nice things about you. The pay out of someone’s word is literally invaluable. Customers listen to other customers! I’ve had some of the best clients- those who really understand my work & partner with me to create the best possible result. I’m so thankful to be a part of so many partnerships with the best clients!

6- REFERRALS 

Speaking of customers, ask previous customers for referrals. Leave business cards with them, give them a couple of one sheets & ask them to help spread the word. Also, make sure if they DO get you a referral, you send a thank you note or gift. They’ve just become investors in your company & that is a big deal. Huge shout outs to my customers that have given me opportunities through their word.

7- COMMUNITY GIVEBACK

Think of ways you can plug in to & be an investor not only in your own company, but in the companies of the community you live or work in. Go to local business events, networking meetings, or create your own. Get a group of like minded business owners or friends together & start conversations that matter. You would be surprised to see how many customers appreciate the efforts to give outside of the business. That sounds like a win-win to me!

If you have any questions about these marketing concepts, or others that aren’t on this list- feel free to give me a shout. Check out my facebook, instagram, & youtube channel!