As an experienced marketing professional, I've seen a great deal of marketing campaigns initiated in virtually every marketing discipline known to man. Some campaigns have been incredibly while others have failed. I've frequently asked myself what the the difference has been between successful marketing campaigns and those that have been complete failures.
by MichaelFleischner


As an experienced marketing professional, I've seen a great deal of marketing campaigns initiated in virtually every marketing area known to man. Some marketing campaigns have been wildly successful while others have failed. I've often asked myself what the the difference has been between the most successful marketing campaigns and those that have been complete failures.

Marketing continues to evolve each and every day. No matter how complicated marketing seems to become, basic internet marketing principles still apply. It's pretty common for those considering new marketing initiatives to forget about some of the tried and true methods in exchange for anything that's new and promising. A good example is the concept of social media. Everyone is jumping on the bandwagon, sometimes at the expense of proven marketing methods.

Segment your market. One of the most powerful marketing concepts is market segmentation. With proper segmentation comes a thorough understanding of your target market. This includes what's important to them and what motivates them. Once you have this knowledge, you can truly target campaigns with the right message and the right timing needed to drive results.

The offer is key. The success of any marketing campaign is directly correlated to the appeal of the offer. Many people believe that a good marketing piece is measured on good copy or design alone. One of the most important aspects of any marketing campaign in the offer. Without a strong offer you'll never see results.

Generate split tests. A split test is when you use multiple versions of a marketing piece, measuring the results. This is a great way to improve overall results of any marketing campaign. This is very important when considering running a campaign for a long period of time. Split test for long-term success.

Rely on a team. It doesn't matter what you know or what you can accomplish on your own. In marketing, you need a team. Build a group of individuals with a diverse set of marketing abilities but share a similar marketing philosophy. This strengthens the effectiveness of your marketing campaigns and produces very good results.

Stop providing coupons. Once you start offering coupons, your customers come to expect a discount. Instead of lowering the value of your product or service, increase it. Find more ways to add value to what you're selling. This allows you to maintain your price and avoid the dangerous behavior of discounting. Premium pricing is a strategy that has strengthened brands significantly over the long term.

Keep your messages consistent. One of the most effective strategies is communicating to your prospects in a way that is consistent. Whatever you are saying to your clients, be sure that it's not contradictory. Early in the sales process, establish key message points and repeat them time and again. This improves buyer confidence and allows you to establish a long-term relationship with your customer.

Focus on after sale communication. Don't drop off your prospects at the door of becoming a client. Once they are on board, your marketing needs to build on the relationship you've and continue to add value. By making this investment, you create a strong customer base that can support your business for a very long time.

Test. Test. Test. In addition to split testing, you should consider multiple forms of testing in each marketing discipline. For direct mail, test headlines, offers, copy, time of direct mail drop, etc. Consider testing a life long requirement.

Integrated Marketing Works Best. You cant rely on one form of marketing to carry your campaigns to certain success. Its somewhat okay to generate many of your leads or sales through pay-per-click marketing for example but what happens when that dries up? Use multiple media sources to meet your goals.

Nothing can replace experience. You can run out and hire all of the marketing experts in the world, but you still have to do the work yourself. Nothing can replace actual experience. It will make you a stronger marketer and more successful in the long term.

If you want to succeed with your next marketing campaign, consider these basic marketing tips before you brand out. Simple strategies well executed can create results. Stick with what has worked for you in the past and build from there. Success comes with sustained and persistent efforts.

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