Business growth is important.
Do you see marketing as a sprint or a marathon? Increasingly, marketers are taking the marathon view, developing their plans to focus on long-term results rather than just “right now” sales. In this view, marketing has a two-fold purpose: to foster immediate sales and to plant seeds for future sales.
First, you must identify the factors that will further your company’s long-term marketing goals. You might not have a perfect understanding of every looming competitive, economic, legal, sociological, or technological force, but you can become alerted to the possibilities. Arm yourself with information on the longevity and profit potential of your present market’s lifecycle. Also, watch for market opportunities so you can begin positioning your business for tomorrow today.
Here are a few ways to foster future business opportunities regardless of your business size or budget.
- Provide platinum-standard customer service. Your goal is always to exceed your customers’ expectations, but if you fall short, admit it. Many loyal repeat customers result from perfectly corrected errors.
- Cultivate your elite customers. Your best customers are a goldmine of quality referrals. Your best customers include those who are easy to work with, who really like you, and who have a positive history with your company. Strengthen existing relationships and build new ones by giving your top clients and their guests’ special treatment. Special treatment incentives may include exclusive offers, insights, and reviews of your innovations.
- Create top-of-mind awareness. Not everyone needs your product or service today, but many will at some point in the future. Capitalize on your vision of emerging needs and trends, communicated using our suite of multichannel marketing tools and techniques, to get your product in front of tomorrow’s customers now.
It takes time for the seeds you plant today to germinate into future business. Essential to all of this is to communicate effectively with your target audience. Consult with us at 810-239-5763 to learn how our technology and expertise can support these efforts.
