Aligning brand messaging
How to align your marketing channels and ensure consistent brand messaging
When facing conflicting brand messaging across different advertising channels, aligning your strategy is crucial to maintaining a consistent and trustworthy brand presence. Here’s how you can achieve this effectively:
1. Establish a clear brand identity
- Define the Core Message: Your brand needs a clear, consistent identity and core message that resonates across all platforms. This includes your mission, values, tone, and personality.
- Create a Brand Style Guide: Develop a guide outlining visual elements (logo, colour scheme, fonts) and tone of voice. This ensures that all advertising reflects the core of your brand.
2. Audit your current messaging
- Review Existing Campaigns: Assess your messaging across channels to identify any inconsistencies. Look for variations in tone, design, or values that might confuse your audience.
- Gather Customer Feedback: Understand how your audience perceives your brand across different platforms. Use surveys or social listening tools to uncover areas of confusion.
3. Centralise Communication
- Create a Unified Marketing Plan: Ensure all departments (e.g., social media, email, paid advertising) follow a cohesive plan. This keeps everyone working towards the same brand goals.
- Implement a Single Approval Process: Use one person or team to review all messaging, ensuring consistency across every platform.
4. Tailor Messaging to the Platform, Not the Brand
- Platform-Specific Adjustments: While keeping the core brand messaging intact, tailor your content to suit the nature of each platform. For instance, a playful tone might be suitable for social media, while a more formal tone may be appropriate for email marketing.
- Adapt, Don’t Recreate: Adjust messaging to fit each platform’s format, but remain true to the core brand identity.
5. Implement Cross-Channel Campaigns
- Synchronise Campaign Timelines: Ensure that the same campaign runs simultaneously across channels. This reinforces a unified brand voice and ensures your audience receives a consistent message no matter where they interact with your brand.
- Leverage Multi-Channel Synergy: Use channels to complement each other (e.g., a social media advert directing to your email campaign or a landing page). Each platform should support the others without delivering contradictory messages.
6. Monitor and Adjust
- Track Performance Metrics: Measure how well your campaigns perform across platforms to ensure consistency and effectiveness. Use tools like Google Analytics, social media insights, and email metrics to evaluate and refine your messaging.
- Realign When Necessary: Periodically review your messaging and make adjustments if inconsistencies resurface.
7. Communicate Internally
- Hold Regular Team Meetings: Ensure that marketing and communication teams meet regularly to discuss ongoing campaigns, brand voice, and future messaging to prevent fragmentation.
- Share Insights Across Departments: Promote cross-team collaboration by sharing insights between social media, PR, email marketing, and advertising teams to ensure everyone stays aligned.
By focusing on aligning brand messaging across all your advertising channels, you can create a consistent and unified brand presence, avoiding mixed messages and building stronger customer trust.
Further reading: Brand Alignment: What is it and how do you measure it
Ready to unlock the full potential of your business brand?
Contact Excell Design & Marketing today to discover how our expert team can help you create or refresh your brand to elevate your marketing strategy. Whether you’re looking to boost engagement, track campaign success, or create unforgettable customer experiences, we’re here to help you succeed. Reach out to us and start your brand journey now!
Excell Design & Marketing: Elevate your brand, engage your audience, excel with innovation.
Best website structure for business groups
What is the best website structure for business groups?
Main Website with subsites vs. individual websites: Choosing the optimal website setup for business groups
Deciding whether to use one main website with subsites or create individual websites for each business unit in a group depends on several factors, including branding, target audience, SEO strategy, and the level of operational independence. So, what is the best website structure for business groups? Here’s a comparison of both approaches:
1. One Main Website with Subsites
This approach involves having a main website for the business group, with distinct sections or subdomains for each subsidiary or unit under the primary domain.
Pros:
- Unified Brand Identity: All companies in the group are represented under a single, cohesive brand. This can strengthen the corporate identity and build customer trust.
- SEO Advantages: A strong central website can boost domain authority, meaning all subsites benefit from shared traffic and backlink value.
- Shared Resources: Easier management of shared content, technical resources, and backend operations such as hosting, security, and analytics.
- Cross-Promotion: Products or services across different units can be promoted more easily, increasing visibility throughout the group.
Cons:
- Complex Navigation: If the business group operates in very distinct and unrelated areas, the site could become difficult to navigate, potentially confusing customers.
- Diluted Messaging: It may be challenging to provide clear, focused messages when each unit has a different market or audience, leading to less specialised content.
- Harder to Scale: As new businesses are added, or existing subsidiaries grow, managing everything under one site may become cumbersome.
2. Individual Websites for Each Business
This strategy entails creating separate websites for each business or unit within the group, each with its own domain and web presence.
Pros:
- Focused Branding: Each business can have its own identity, messaging, and design tailored directly to its target audience, ensuring clarity
- Targeted SEO: Each website can be optimised for its specific keywords and audience, which may improve search visibility in niche markets.
- Operational Flexibility: Each unit can make independent changes, add features, or manage content without affecting other businesses, which is especially useful if the companies are very different.
- Market Differentiation: If the businesses cater to different customer bases or operate in distinct sectors, individual sites allow for clearer differentiation.
Cons:
- Higher Maintenance: Managing multiple websites increases complexity in terms of technical upkeep, marketing, SEO, content creation, and analytics.
- More Expensive: Multiple websites mean higher costs for hosting, domains, and design.
- Lost Synergy: There’s less opportunity for cross-promotion or leveraging the group’s collective strength in terms of brand recognition and SEO.
When to Use a Main Website with Subsites:
- If the businesses are closely related or target similar customer bases.
- If the goal is to reinforce a unified corporate identity.
- If centralised management and branding are important.
When to Use Individual Websites:
- If the businesses offer very different products or services or target distinct audiences.
- If each business requires a highly customised approach to SEO and content.
- If the group might sell or rebrand individual businesses, making it easier to separate them.
The decision ultimately depends on how closely related the businesses are in terms of target markets and operational requirements. Would you like to explore this further with a specific business group in mind?
Ready to unlock the full potential of your website for your business?
Contact Excell Design & Marketing today to discover how our expert team can help you harness the power of your website to elevate your marketing strategy. Whether you’re looking to boost engagement, track campaign success, or create unforgettable customer experiences, we’re here to help you succeed. Reach out to us and start your website journey now!
Excell Design & Marketing: Elevate your brand, engage your audience, excel with innovation.
Unlocking the Power of the Humble QR Code in marketing
Unlocking the power of the humble QR code in marketing
In an era where technology is continuously evolving, the humble QR code in marketing has emerged as a small yet mighty tool in the marketing arsenal of businesses and organisations worldwide. But where did this unassuming black-and-white square come from, and why has it become such a staple in modern marketing strategies? Let’s dive into the origins, continued use, and ingenious applications of QR codes, and explore how they can revolutionise your marketing efforts.
The origins of the QR code
The QR code, short for Quick Response code, was invented in 1994 by Denso Wave, a subsidiary of the Japanese company Denso. Initially developed to track automotive parts during manufacturing, the QR code quickly transcended its original purpose. Its ability to store a large amount of data in a small space and its speedy readability made it a versatile tool for various industries.
QR codes in marketing: A modern-day essential
Fast forward to today, QR codes are ubiquitous in the marketing world. From product packaging and business cards to billboards and restaurant menus, QR codes offer a seamless bridge between the physical and digital realms. Businesses use them to provide instant access to websites, promotional offers, contact information, and much more.
Practical ideas for QR code use
The versatility of QR codes means the possibilities for their use are virtually endless. Here are some practical ideas to get you started:
- Product Information: Link to detailed product descriptions, user manuals, or how-to videos directly from the product packaging.
- Event Promotions: Use QR codes on event posters and flyers to direct people to event registration pages or informational websites.
- Restaurant Menus: Replace physical menus with QR codes that direct customers to an online menu, reducing contact and enhancing hygiene.
- Feedback and Surveys: Place QR codes on receipts or packaging to direct customers to feedback forms or surveys, making it easy to gather valuable insights.
- Contact Information: Include QR codes on business cards to allow recipients to quickly save your contact details to their phones.
- Social Media Links: Direct customers to your social media profiles to boost engagement and followers.
How QR codes can enhance your marketing
Integrating QR codes into your marketing strategy can yield numerous benefits:
- Increased Engagement: QR codes make it easy for customers to interact with your brand. A simple scan can lead them to exciting content, enhancing their overall experience.
- Cost-Effective: Creating and implementing QR codes is relatively inexpensive, making them a cost-effective marketing tool.
- Trackable Metrics: Many QR code generators offer tracking capabilities, allowing you to measure the effectiveness of your campaigns by monitoring scan rates and user behaviour.
- Versatility: QR codes can be used across a variety of mediums and platforms, making them a flexible tool that can adapt to different marketing needs.
Clever ideas for QR Code use
Thinking outside the box with QR codes can set your brand apart. Here are some creative ideas:
- Interactive Packaging: Create a scavenger hunt or a series of puzzles that customers can solve by scanning QR codes found on your packaging.
- Virtual Tours: If you have a physical location, such as a museum or store, use QR codes to offer virtual tours or additional information about exhibits or products.
- Video Testimonials: Link to video testimonials from satisfied customers to build trust and credibility.
- Personalised Experiences: Use QR codes to deliver personalised content based on customer preferences or purchase history.
- Augmented Reality (AR): Combine QR codes with AR technology to create immersive experiences that engage and delight your audience.
10 examples of brands that nailed QR code marketing campaigns
Ready to unlock the full potential of QR codes for your business?
Contact Excell Design & Marketing today to discover how our expert team can help you harness the power of QR codes to elevate your marketing strategy. Whether you’re looking to boost engagement, track campaign success, or create unforgettable customer experiences, we’re here to help you succeed. Reach out to us and start your QR code journey now!
Excell Design & Marketing: Elevate your brand, engage your audience, excel with innovation.
Make a difference with marketing for small businesses
Unlocking success: Essential marketing for small businesses
So, what would make a difference in marketing for my small business?
As a small business owner, you’re no stranger to the challenges of marketing for small businesses. With limited resources and fierce competition, finding effective strategies can be daunting. Fear not! In this article, we’ll explore actionable tips to boost your marketing game and drive growth.
20 essential strategies for marketing for small businesses.
TOP TIPS: We have highlighted some of the tips that you can do yourself, for free to help with marketing for small businesses.
1. Know Your Audience
Understanding your audience is the foundation of successful marketing. Here’s how to do it:
Buyer Personas: Create detailed buyer personas. These are fictional representations of your ideal customers. Consider demographics, pain points, motivations, and behaviour patterns. Tailor your messaging to resonate with these personas.
Market Research: Conduct thorough market research. Analyse industry trends, competitors, and customer preferences. Use tools like surveys, interviews, and social media analytics.
2. Emphasise Your Value Proposition
Your value proposition is the unique value you offer to customers. Clarify it by:
Identifying Benefits: What specific benefits do your products or services provide? Is it cost savings, convenience, quality, or something else?
Solving Pain Points: Highlight how your solution addresses common pain points. Show how you make your customers’ lives better.
3. Set Clear Goals
Define specific marketing goals:
SMART Goals: Make them Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. For example, “Increase website traffic by 20% in the next quarter.”
Focus on Priorities: Don’t spread yourself thin. Prioritise goals that align with your business objectives.
4. Capitalise on Short-Term Plays
Short-term tactics can yield quick wins:
Flash Sales: Create urgency with limited-time discounts or promotions.
Seasonal Campaigns: Tie your marketing efforts to holidays or special occasions.
5. Analyse What Works
Data-driven decisions lead to success:
Marketing Analytics: Use tools like Google Analytics, social media insights, and email campaign reports. Identify which channels and campaigns drive results.
A/B Testing: Experiment with different approaches (e.g., email subject lines, ad copy) and measure their impact.
6. Leverage Existing Customers
Your loyal customers are your best advocates:
Referral Programs: Encourage existing customers to refer others. Offer incentives for successful referrals.
Customer Reviews and Testimonials: Showcase positive feedback on your website and social media.
7. Use Free Promotional Tools
Maximise your reach without breaking the bank:
Social Media: Regularly post engaging content. Interact with followers and build a community.
Content Marketing: Write blog posts, create videos, or host webinars. Share valuable information related to your industry.
8. Build a Professional Website
Your website is your online storefront:
User Experience (UX): Ensure easy navigation, fast loading times, and mobile responsiveness.
Clear Call-to-Action (CTA): Guide visitors toward desired actions (e.g., signing up, making a purchase).
9. Blogging for Organic Traffic
Blogging establishes authority and attracts organic visitors:
SEO Optimisation: Research relevant keywords and incorporate them naturally into your blog posts.
Consistent Publishing: Regularly update your blog with valuable content.
10. Promote on Social Media
Choose platforms where your audience hangs out:
Content Variety: Share a mix of posts—educational, entertaining, and promotional.
Engage with Followers: Respond to comments and messages promptly.
11. Collaborate with Influencers
Influencers can amplify your brand:
Relevance: Partner with influencers whose audience aligns with yours.
Authenticity: Ensure the collaboration feels genuine and not forced.
12. Create Short-Form Video Content
Video is king:
Platform-Specific Content: Tailor videos for platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, or YouTube Shorts.
Storytelling: Use videos to tell your brand story or showcase behind-the-scenes moments.
13. Stick to a Social Media Posting Schedule
Consistency matters:
Content Calendar: Plan ahead. Decide when and what to post.
Quality Over Quantity: Focus on delivering value rather than posting excessively.
14. Invest in Ads
Paid advertising can yield targeted results:
Facebook Ads: Target specific demographics based on interests and behaviours.
Google Ads: Appear in search results for relevant keywords.
15. Capture Web Prospects’ Information
Build your email list:
Lead Magnets: Offer free resources (e.g., e-books, templates) in exchange for email sign-ups.
Segmentation: Group subscribers based on interests or behaviour.
16. Email Marketing
Nurture leads through personalised emails:
Automated Campaigns: Send welcome emails, abandoned cart reminders, and follow-ups.
Valuable Content: Share helpful tips, product updates, and exclusive offers.
17. Manage Relationships with a CRM
A Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system helps you stay organised:
Track Interactions: Log every interaction with leads and customers. This includes emails, phone calls, meetings, and purchases. A CRM ensures you never miss an opportunity.
Segmentation: Group your contacts based on criteria like behaviour, demographics, or interests. This allows for targeted marketing campaigns.
18. Word of Mouth Promotion
Harness the power of satisfied customers:
Referral Programs: Encourage existing customers to refer friends and family. Offer incentives like discounts or freebies.
Customer Reviews and Testimonials: Display positive feedback prominently on your website and social media. Authentic reviews build trust.
19. Connect with Other Local Businesses
Collaboration can amplify your reach:
Cross-Promotions: Partner with neighbouring businesses. For example, a coffee shop could collaborate with a bookstore for joint events or promotions.
Local Events: Participate in community events, fairs, or markets. Network with other entrepreneurs and potential customers.
Remember, marketing is an ongoing process. Continuously monitor your efforts, adapt to changes, and stay open to new ideas. As a small business owner, your agility and creativity are your superpowers. Best of luck on your marketing journey! 🚀🌟
20. Leverage User-Generated Content (UGC)
User-generated content is a powerful asset for small businesses. Here’s how to make the most of it:
Encourage Customer Participation: Invite your customers to share their experiences with your product or service. Whether it’s through reviews, social media posts, or testimonials, UGC adds authenticity to your brand.
Run Contests and Challenges: Organise photo contests, video challenges, or creative campaigns. Encourage participants to use your product and share their content. Offer prizes or recognition for the best entries.
Showcase UGC on Your Platforms: Share user-generated content on your website, social media profiles, and marketing materials. It not only provides social proof but also engages your community.
Create Hashtags: Develop branded hashtags related to your business. Encourage customers to use these hashtags when posting about your products. This helps you discover and curate UGC.
Collaborate with Influential Users: Identify influencers or micro-influencers who align with your brand. Partner with them to create UGC. Their endorsement can significantly impact your reach.
Remember, UGC humanises your brand and builds trust. Embrace it as a valuable resource in your marketing toolkit! 📸👍
For more ideas about marketing for small businesses checkout this FSB article: Seven most popular ways to promote your business.
Feel free to customise and expand upon these strategies based on your business’s unique needs and industry. Share this article with fellow entrepreneurs—it might just spark their next brilliant marketing idea! 💡👩💼👨💼
If you are struggling with your marketing but not sure where to start, how to implement and manage it, we'd be delighted to have a chat and offer some good, sound advice. Get in touch, let's chat 😃
Why are dogs so popular in marketing?
Why are dogs so popular in marketing?
Have you ever noticed just how many dogs are featured in marketing? Well, we have a Westie who lets us know by barking and taking a running leap at the tv every time one appears. No, really. She (Tilly) can spot a dog at twenty paces on a tv screen, often before we’ve even seen it, and either she wants to play or feels they are entering her territory. She's also got a thing for Scandi Noir box sets at the moment...
This has led us to realise that there are an awful lots of dogs used in the advertising slots, especially when you take into account repeats. And that’s as well as dogs in tv shows and films. Try it, count them when you're next watching tv.
Of course animals have been used in marketing since, well, marketing began. Wolves, sheep, cats, ponies, meerkats, horses, chimpanzees, orangutans, kangaroos, emus and the list goes on. Yet, there seems to be no animal more popular in the marketing world than dogs. Man’s best friend is featured regularly and is an incredibly useful tool when it comes to advertising a product or a service.
One marketing goal should be to create something that we relate to, something that appeals to our emotions and something that is memorable. And what’s more relatable, emotional and memorable than a dog?
As a nation of pet lovers there are a huge number of us that love dogs. It is estimated (by PDSA) that:
50% of UK adults own a pet.
34% of the UK adult population have a dog with an estimated population of 13 million pet dogs*.
(*Source: https://worldanimalfoundation.org/advocate/pet-ownership-statistics/)
That’s a lot of dogs.
The ‘aaahhhhh’ factor
Different breeds of dogs can be associated with particular brands and etched onto our memories providing long running brand associations.
Think paint and what dog comes to mind? The Dulux Dog. In fact it’s known as a Dulux Dog more than its actual breed name Old English Sheep Dog. That's a great example of branding working at its best, when the brand name becomes part of the English language.
Think toilet paper and what dog comes to mind? Cute, adorable Labrador puppies trailing Andrex toilet paper down the stairs, along the hallway and across the lounge. And that’s been going on for over 75 years! (the advertising not the loo roll!)
More recently a white labradoodle has made a multi-surface floor cleaning product both funny and memorable. Flash Dog regularly entertains us with a sing along advert that demonstrates the product’s cleaning power along with a reworded version of the iconic Flash superhero theme tune.
Don’t look into their eyes...
It can be a good idea in marketing to relate a product or service to something that your audiences love, something that will get their attention, and dogs certainly appeal to a lot of people.
Dogs have a knack of appealing to our emotions, they’re adorable, loyal and they make good companions. When you add these attributes to the ability to create something memorable it really can be an excellent marketing strategy.
If you’d like some help with appealing to your customers for your business or organisation, or you'd just like to tell us about your dog, then we'd love to hear from you.
Woof, woof!
Marketing your business – 5 things to do now
Marketing your business – 5 things to do now
With the current Coronavirus situation giving cause for concern about the lack of business trading, it goes without saying that many people are wondering what to do for their marketing.
We have had to change the way we are marketing and the voice and message of it to adapt for the changing times. Invariably with a glut of advice telling what to do it has become overwhelming and causes businesses to hesitate with their marketing. History tells us that in times of recession it's not the time to stop your marketing, rather to increase it.
So with this in mind, we took a step back to look at our own marketing realised that the basic fundamentals needed some attention. Without these building blocks in place you run the risk of any marketing activities, drives and campaigns being ineffective. Here are 5 things you can do now to improve those foundations on which to build your marketing further.
1 – Social Media
Now is a good time to look at your social media profiles and update them to ensure that they work well for you.
You probably already know that social media marketing is important for all businesses. But, simply having accounts isn’t enough. It’s important to align your profile to your ideal clients.
First, keep your account information updated and accurate. If something about your business changes, your social media profile should change, too. Make sure your website, address, hours, logo and photos are all current. Ensure your branding is up to date and consistent. Make sure you describe what you do and who you do it for clearly and accurately.
Second, post fresh content. You must regularly post new content on your social media pages. Don’t create an account and then forget about it. Frequent posts keep you in front of customers’ faces. Post about new products and services, events, industry insights and news and show your followers what you and your business are up to.
Remember to check all your social media channels; LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Google My Business, YouTude etc. It’s a good time to also check any listings you have with Chamber of Commerce directories or any other business directories.
2 – Website development
We’ve all had it in mind to revisit our websites and look at what we have written and the services we provide. It’s always good to make sure that you have included any new services or changes to existing ones. It’s equally important to consider whether the content you include is clear, accurate and compelling. Does it speak to you in a matter of fact way or does it speak to you in a personable and friendly way? This can make a big difference to conveying your brand values and encouraging engagement with visitors to your website.
It’s important to understand your value proposition. It’s the reason for existing, the reason to be chosen over your competitors and the promise of value that will be delivered to your customer'.
Why is value proposition important? – If you are unable to communicate your value to your customers, why should customers place value in what you offer? If you are unable to tell customers why they should choose you and why they should pay what you are asking, why would they?
Branding – Is your website up to date and consistent with your branding, is your logo up to date, are you using the same colours and fonts across all your marketing, does the imagery help convey your messaging? If not is might be time for a visual refresh.
Is your website easy to use and navigate and what is the user experience (UX) when they arrive at your website. Can they find what they want, is it easy to get to the relevant pages or is it buried within the website? Do you use a Call To Action (CTA) on pages and posts? Visitors need prompts on the next step to take once they have found what they are looking for.
SEO – Are you being found for what you provide? The content of your website plays an important part in making it SEO-friendly which leads to a better UX. So if you want to be found for specific services or products think about the questions people ask when searching online. Try and build these into the content and think about how you answer their questions. Check whether you are using the perfects keywords, meta tags and descriptions.
Links – Now that you’ve reviewed your content, branding and SEO, there is one thing that many forget to check. Are all the links working on your website? It’s always surprising how many links are incorrectly adding and not checked, or perhaps the link is old and no longer available. It’s work running your website domain name through an online link checker. There are many free broken link checkers, such as Dead Link Checker, that you can use.
Remember, if you are unsure how to implement changes on your website contact your website developer or provider, they should be able to help you. Alternatively, contact us if you don’t have a web developer.
3 – Get testimonials
Your clients are valuable to you in many ways, not least of all in the testimonials for your good work. Before people buy something, they often look for reviews that validate their purchase. People want to know that they’re spending money on quality. And, they want to know if what you have to offer is better than what your competitors have to offer.
Remember as well as using testimonials on your website you can ask clients to submit them to LinkedIn, Facebook, Goggle My Business etc., and that’s good for being found through SEO too.
4 – Research more
Research what your audience wants, and what your industry needs. Research what people are looking for, and create the answers to the questions that they have.
Research is what will make a difference. Research what other people in your industry are doing. Do it better or differently. Use Google, Twitter, LinkedIn or Facebook. Look for what people are talking about and create better content around that.
5 – Get blogging and posting!
You’ve done your research and have ideas about what customers need or want and why you have the answer. So become an expert – you can improve your business marketing by positioning yourself as an expert. Becoming an expert is one of the long-term marketing tactics for small business, but can provide great results.
Link back to your website and think about the customer journey from that first point of contact, whatever it might be, to that point at which you are actually speaking to them. Use visuals too, they are invaluable in gaining attention top you blogs and posts.
Remember to engage with people and businesses. Join in the conversations, ask questions on other people’s posts. It’s just as important as posting your own content in raising your profile and building relationships.
Where do I start with my marketing? Which building blocks do I start with?
Start with one thing that you know you need to do, and do it well. Sucking eggs comes to mind when I say that, but we are as guilty of trying to do everything at once as anyone. It pays to do things logically and methodically in a manageable way, the feel good factor of ticking it off that list is what will spur you onto completing the next task or goal.
So, what’s next when this is all in place…
You’ve diligently taken the time to ensure the basic elements of your marketing channels are up to date, accurate and compelling. Now it’s time to make a strategy and plan to reach those potential clients through the use of your brand proposition, values and messaging in tailored campaigns.
If you are unsure what to what to do next, we'd love to hear from you. Contact us for a free consultation and chat about your marketing your business.
How to Form a Successful Marketing Plan
How to form a successful marketing plan
A good marketing plan is the pillar of any business marketing strategy.
It provides an honest view of the strengths and failings of your business, and ensures you consider the market as a whole; what your competitors are providing, and what customers really want.
It should outline all of the tools and tactics that you will use to achieve your sales goals, and act as a continual point of reference as to what it is that you are going to be selling, who will want to buy it and the strategies that you will use to achieve those all-important sales.
This article will show you how to write a thorough marketing plan including:
- Situational analysis
- Competitor analysis
- Marketing goals
- Marketing budget
Situational analysis
Before you start considering the future of your business, you have to look at its current position. A situational analysis enables you to investigate your firm’s position from new angles.
Simple questions, such as ‘what is your product?’, ‘what position in the market does your product occupy?’ and ‘what are your sourcing choices/options?’ force you to analyse in detail how your company is run, and whether you feel it is streamlined or not.
The SWOT analysis considers your business’ Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats; it is only by assessing the internal factors (strengths and weaknesses), that the external factors (opportunities and threats) can be considered.
SWOT can be used to make informed decisions, and as Linda Pophal, owner and CEO of Strategic Communications says, this is actually ‘…the area of strategy development where organizations have an opportunity to be most creative and where innovative ideas can emerge, but only if the analysis has been appropriately prepared in the first place.’
Competitor analysis
Competitor analysis inherent to situational analysis, but to really understand your market and prepare for changes, you need to understand your competitors. This can be achieved through a ‘competitor array’, an example of which can be seen below:
Key Industry Success Factors Weighting Competitor #1 rating Competitor #1 weighted Competitor #2 rating Competitor #2 weighted
Extensive distribution 0.4 6 2.4 3 1.2
Customer focus 0.3 4 1.2 5 1.5
Economies of scale 0.2 3 0.6 3 0.6
Product innovation 0.1 7 0.7 4 0.4
Totals 1.0 20 4.9 15 3.7
A competitor array allows you to consider the factors most important in your industry, and then lets you rank your competitors based on these factors, showing you their strengths and weaknesses. A such you can perceive gaps in the market.
To predict the future strategies of your competitors, you may have to extend your analysis into what their strategies are and have been; try contacting suppliers, or former business partners of that company, but make sure that all information is obtained legally.
Marketing goals
Companies often set the bar too high or too low; a good situational analysis will help you pitch achievable goals. The key is not to overburden yourself; obviously you want to see growth in your company, but too many goals in your strategy, will spread your skills too thinly and dilute your strengths.
Shanelle Mullin, Director of Marketing at Onboardly suggests to ‘…choose 1-2 core goals that impact the bottom line and 3-5 supporting goals’. Your marketing plan should be for the whole year ahead, so break down these goals into daily or weekly targets. This will ensure the people working for your business feel a sense of achievement, and morale will stay high.
Marketing budget
To set a marketing budget, look at your company’s revenue, and be realistic about what money you have to spend. Issues to be taken into consideration include:
- How quickly you want to grow, and by how much
- Turnover and outgoings
- Whether you are introducing something new to the market, or marketing existing products
- How much your competitors are spending on the market.
While each business has its own budget priorities, market research suggests that firms should spend about 5-10% of their turnover on marketing (and this percentage should be higher on companies with a lower turnover).
As outlined by co-founder and VP of marketing at E2M, Pratik Dholakiva, measuring the effectiveness of your marketing campaign can be tricky, especially when trying to glean ROI from something as apparently ethereal as social media. Ultimately, all your strategies need to boil down to real numbers, especially where leads, profits and sales are concerned.
Among other key steps to take, Mr Dholakiva says it is important to keep ROI analysis simple regarding money in and going out so that you can place a financial cost of putting a new strategy in place. It sounds a no-brainer, but it’s easy to get bogged down in details and far more important to stay focused on the bigger picture.
Be sure to define your strategy and understand what you’re trying to do. Isolate the differences compared with previous campaigns, and work to improve those former strategies.
Furthermore, many marketing strategists fail to analyse to the right depth. While marketers may not have access to all company data to be able to account for a seemingly inexplicable peak in web traffic, an effort should be made to access all information available that could be used to glean insight. Consider what other factors are influencing revenue and traffic and integrate these into your model.
It is important to consider ways in which you can easily cut costs. Social media is an amazing way to market your business and is in many cases completely free; having a hands-on approach to social media will also allow you to keep your business relationships strong.
Using social media correctly
Coke is an FMCG (fast moving consumer goods) company, paving the way for social media innovation, their multi-faceted approach to guiding consumers back to brand is both inspirational and informative to any marketer.
Who can forget Coke’s ‘name-on-a-bottle’ campaign, which encouraged us to #shareacoke? Feeling in need of a friendship top-up, we dutifully searched for our names on our favorite soft drink bottles and Coke sales increased by 2.75% in the UK alone. The drive was recognised by the 2013 Cannes Lions as “the most successful campaign in decades.”
Creating a detailed but focused marketing plan for your company is hard work, and takes time. However, with one in place, you will be able to make smart, informed decisions and concentrate on the growth of your business.