SMARKETING, THE SECRET FOR SALES & MARKETING – COLOUR YOUR CONCEPT FOR GH

GHANAIANS BUSINESS OWNERS need to do it right, we just can’t keep wasting time and resources practicing the traditional system of marketing. Society is dynamic and we need to be flexible in this dynamic business environment if we want to survive.

PRACTICALLY, should there be an element about Marketing which I am pretty unwavering, it's the idea of inviting clients that are pre-qualified and willing to do business. And this involves many different things, but most of it comes down to three core practices: 1) Focus, 2) targeting, and 3) multiplication (such as focusing on a niche, market targeting, and multiplying one's marketing efforts).

As an individual, Business entity, NGO or an agency being it government or you name it, have you really thought about this “strategy” in an emerging economy like Ghana?  

Why would you dump more cash and resources into more advertising, more website tweaks, and more yellow page ads, more postcards and more networking that aren’t working?  Are you hoping this time will be different? Hoping you’ll find the Holy Grail, that Secret Sauce of advertising?

So many business owners and other entrepreneurs keep spending on the Marketing tactics hoping that one of these days, they’ll “get it right”, I just don’t want to mention names, but am pretty sure that if you are a victim you might get my point straight up or you might have witness situations where organizations keep spending money on advertising activities on TV, RADIO among others but are still struggling at the bottom.  

Albert Einstein defined insanity as: “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”. Isn’t it time to stop the irrationality?

What’s the top secret to effective marketing?

The only way to “get it right” is to stop the insanity; take a step back and do some basic groundwork – develop a Marketing strategy first. 

Here is what a Marketing strategy can do for you:

Help you figure out who in the world is most likely to buy what you are selling and where to reach them. For example, as the owner of a high-end hair salon – the lady who loves her GHC 10(ten Cedis) salon shop will NEVER come to your salon- so why market to her? Just because she has hair doesn’t mean she deserves for your valuable marketing CEDIS.

Spend less money and get more qualified leads. If you know who is most likely to buy you can stop wasting money chasing people who will never buy.

Make you stand out in the marketplace. Do you know how you are different from your competitors?  If you say “Service” or “Fair Price” you’re missing the mark. Who doesn’t offer great service and fair prices?  Developing a marketing strategy will help you find out what that difference is – and how to use it to attract the right customers for your business.

Investing in a Marketing Strategy for your small business is the best investment you will ever make. It could save you thousands in the long run- and make you money too. Really- stop the insanity, try something different.

Eventually, if you do what you love or love what you do, you will certainly attract more business by the sheer fact that your passion is also connecting to others that you are offering the best solution to their problems. Why? You are offering them the best...

Well folks, there you have it. That's the greatest marketing secret for your consumption. It's to do what you love or to love what you do. And if you don't love what you do, then find it. As Jim Rohn once said, "If you don't like where you are, then change it! You're not a tree."