Marketers: Sometimes we forget
Businesses don't buy marketing services to advertise their products or services. They buy marketing services to:
To increase brand visibility: Businesses buy marketing services to increase their brand's presence in the market, ensuring potential customers see them and remain top of mind.
To differentiate from competitors: Businesses buy marketing to distinguish themselves from their rivals, using unique marketing strategies to stand out in a crowded marketplace.
To attract new customers: Businesses buy marketing services to reach new demographics or markets, employing targeted campaigns designed to draw in potential customers who are unaware of or engaged with the brand.
To retain existing customers: Businesses also invest in marketing to keep their customers interested and loyal. This involves creating engaging content, loyalty programs, and personalized communication strategies reinforcing the value of staying with the brand.
To increase revenue: Businesses buy marketing services to boost sales and generate more revenue, seeing marketing as a direct investment into their company’s growth.
To build customer trust and credibility: Some use marketing to build and maintain trust, positioning their brand as reliable and credible through consistent and honest messaging.
Questions marketers should ask their clients:
Understanding the Client's Business
What are the core values and mission of your company? – Helps align marketing strategies with the company's fundamental beliefs.
Who are your main competitors, and how do you differ from them? – Identifies unique selling points and areas for differentiation.
Can you describe your typical customer? – Aids in crafting targeted marketing campaigns.
What are the short-term and long-term goals of your business? – Ensures that marketing efforts are strategically aligned with business objectives.
Assessing Current Marketing Efforts
What marketing strategies have you used in the past, and how effective were they? – Evaluate what has or hasn’t worked to avoid repeating mistakes and capitalize on successes.
Which marketing channels have been most effective for you and why? – Helps focus resources on proven channels.
What is your current customer feedback like? – Provides insights into customer satisfaction and areas needing improvement.
How do you currently measure the success of your marketing activities? – Aligns on metrics and sets expectations for performance evaluation.
Planning Future Marketing Activities
What are your business's biggest challenges right now? Identify key areas where marketing can make a significant impact.
What kind of budget are you considering for your marketing activities? Ensures proposals are financially feasible for the client.
What is the primary message you want to communicate to your audience? – Clarifies the core message to be consistently conveyed across all marketing materials.
Are there any upcoming events, product launches, or special promotions we should prepare for? – Helps plan timely and relevant marketing campaigns.