The other day, I had a consultation with a chiropractor who had just spent thousands of dollars on “branding.”  Gorgeous logo.  Snappy website.  Beautiful, glossy brochures.

And not a damn thing to show for it.

That’s why he was calling me.

“Your problem is that you’ve spent so much time and money creating an ‘image’ that you’ve forgotten what people are really hungry for,” I said.  “And that’s a solution to their problem.”

I told him, “Folks don’t care what your logo looks like.  At the end of the day, there’s only one thing that’s going to pay your bills, and it ain’t ad agency gloss.  It’s creating actual value for your patients and prospects.”

This is a mistake I see small business owners make all the time: investing time, effort, and energy into “branding” that just doesn’t work.   Unless you’re a Fortune 500 company, or loaded with excess millions to blow on advertising, the idea of trying to “get your name out there” is basically useless—kind of like throwing a couple of teaspoons’ worth of water into the ocean and hoping someone notices.

Nope, small businesses have to build brand awareness the old fashioned way—by serving, and satisfying, customers…one, two, and three at a time.

So what can you do to avoid the fate of my overly image-conscious friend I told you about?  Here are three sure-fire rules of thumb for maximizing your marketing dollars.

1)—Spend at least 50% of your marketing budget internally.  Yes, you read that right.  At least 50% of your marketing budget should to go solidifying your relationships with your existing customers.  Keep in constant contact with them.  Make offers.  Send newsletters and birthday cards.  Marketing to your existing customers is usually up to 10 times more profitable than marketing to a cold list—so capture as much revenue as possible from the investment you made to get those customers in the first place.

2)—ALWAYS test.  Undoubtedly, you understand the value of tracking results to measure the response you’re getting to your marketing—but what about testing?  This is one of the best-kept secrets in marketing…and it can make you a TON of money. 

Whenever you run a new ad or promotion, always create two versions—and test one against the other.  For example, if you’re running a newspaper insert, buy 20,000 inserts and run 10,000 of one version against 10,000 of the other.  Or if you’re sending a direct mail piece, send one message to half your list, and a second message to the other half.  Then track results to see which is more profitable.  Whichever one wins becomes your new “control”—and then test future marketing pieces against it. 

There are two important things to remember when testing.  First, NEVER, ever change out your control until it gets beaten…even if you’re “in the mood” for a change.   And second, ALWAYS try to beat your control!  As you do, your response rates will creep steadily upward, and you’ll find you’re “genetically engineering” your marketing for ever-increasing success!

3)—Test Ugly First.  Some of the most successful marketing campaigns have been ugly.  What do I mean by that?  I mean they don’t have that slick “Madison Avenue” feel, but they get results like gangbusters.  NEVER spend the money to “gloss up” your look and feel UNTIL you’ve tested and proven a message that gets results. 

These are the all around best network marketing tips for success. This check list will not only provide you with a recipe for success with network marketing but success in anything you choose to apply the method to.

I’d say that’s pretty powerful stuff eh…?

What many people seem to have trouble grasping is the fact that success it self, be it with business, sports or even academics, has the very same formula. Basically, if you know what it takes to be successful at one thing, you can often apply the very same approach in a different context and duplicate that same kind of success for yourself over and over again.

Network Marketing Tips #1:

This first tip for success is also one of the most difficult to master. Time management may sound like a simple thing, but that’s far from the truth of things.

Ask yourself,” how do I spend my average day?” How many hours do you spend working, sleeping, eating, traveling between places, etc.? There are only so many hours in a day. If you work 8 hours, and get 8 hours of sleep, you only have 8 more left to do everything else.

The point I hope to make here is that your time is extremely valuable. The average American watches 4 or more hours of television a day. That 4 hours a day, equals a 28 hours a week that could be spent building your success.

Network Marketing Tips #2:

This second tip is nearly as important as the first. Being able to properly budget your finances is a must for any successful business owner. Being aware of how you spend your valuable resources, like your time and your money, will allow you to decide how to use them to your best advantage.

Also when planning to advertise and promote your business or service, preparing a set budget will help motivate you to promote your business as wisely and effectively as possible.

Network Marketing Tips #3:

This third tip is one that keeps on giving. Be sure to a lot both time and finances toward continuing education with your chosen industry niche. Think of this as an investment that will undoubtedly give you a serious return provided you stick to it.

There are possibly dozens of helpful hints to be lain at your feet in hopes that the right combination will guarantee success for you and your business. However, if you can properly manage your time and you finances as well as maintain the focus to continually increase your business knowledge you will all but have such a guarantee already in hand.

Successfully mastering just these three network marketing tips will require focus, discipline, and dedication. These are characteristics a great majority of successful individuals share. Work hard to develop them within yourself and success is sure to follow.

Marketing Training – Marketing Management Courses

Here is a list of marketing tips which can be encouraged by your staff through informal marketing courses and courses:

One of the most powerful yet least used ways of increasing sales is by selling to your existing customers. Your current customers already know you have a great product and they are ready to buy. Don’t let customers forget about your company.

Email – Keep your customers on an email list. Use your email lists to send regular emails. Keep customers up to date with leading edge updates and techniques.Make use of one of the best selling tools available – the coupon. Special customers can be sent unique discount codes or promotional items. Marketing like this, can give sales a quick shot in the arm.

Add-on Sales – Use add-on sales to increase your profits. When a customer is checking out on your website usesimple e-commerce strategies to recommend an up-sell. Create add on sales for similar items. For example if a customer is making a purchase of a printer from your site use add-on selling to suggest printer cartridges or paper products. You’ll be surprised how influential this simple techniques can be. Don’t forget this highly effective marketing tool.

Keeping Customers Happy – Customers return to suppliers who offer the best service. Not only do happy customers return again and again but they also tell their friends and co-workers about your products. Word of mouth is a tried and true method of increasing sales. You can also offer your customers a special discount or offer if they refer someone to your site.

Call Your Customers – This may seem like a simple technique yet it’s very effective. Telephoning existing customers is remarkably effective at spiking your sales. Set up a schedule to call a few customers a day. Use the call to ask how they are doing and find out if they need any more of your product. Don’t treat your customers like a number. Make them feel loved and they will come back for more.

Send Mailings – Like emails, postcards are increadibly effective at nudging customers towards you. Create a simple yet effective postcard advert and post them to your current customers. Again, the postcard can include a special offer or limited discount to help make customers take action. Use deadlines or expiration dates to create a sense of urgency. If they act now they will get a discount.

Thank Your Customers – Following a sale, send them a thank you either by email or as a letter. This personal touch will help ensure happy customers and will keep your customers coming back. A simple thank you for a purchase can go a long way towards future sales.

Testimonials – Ask your customers to provide testimonials. Customers who happily offer marketing testimonials are much more likely to be repeat customers. They’ll also be very likely to tell others about your product and provide word of mouth marketing.

Referrals – Happy customers tell others about your products. Offer them special deals or discounts if they refer new customers to your site. You can also offer free products or a free report or ebook if they provide a new referral name. Your email database will grow as a result and improve your marketing. Training staff to use your database has a viral marketing effect.

Get Feedback – Ask your customers what they think. You can get them to answer a short survey after they have made a purchase. Find out how they liked your website, how they like the product and even what they would suggest to make the process better. You’ll be surprised at how helpful customers can be and you’ll be sure to get some useful information. Incorporate the best ideas to improve your business and increase sales.

Marketing Training – inhouse training courses can transform neutral staff into marketing genuises.

For marketing training courses, make sure you visit www.thelda.com