Marketing for 2010, Trends or Necessity?
The new economy is upon us. Marketing like we did 5 years ago isn’t going to be as effective in 2010 because the dynamics of the market and buyers attitudes have changed (let alone a challenging economic landscape). Here are some trends you might want to consider as you plan for next year:
Value is everything
Buyers are looking at purchases much more closely. The reason to buy has to be compelling and extremely obvious. If your company can’t clearly build a case for value, competing with others that can will be pretty hard. That doesn’t mean a long list of benefits. Your messaging has to be very clear and concise. Buyers now research every purchase more carefully – you have to let them come to the conclusion…you are the best choice.
Exceed expectations
Just “getting your name out there” has long been obsolete. Work hard to differentiate your products and services. Word-of-mouth, whether delivered neighbor-to-neighbor, at business after hours or via a fast paced social media will always be a marketing tactic buyers will trust. Make it happen by exceeding expectations and let the buzz spread. It will ensure a rise in sales and profitability.
Sell them what they want to buy – not what you want to sell.
Buyers tend to feast on the newest innovations…the fastest, loudest, biggest…you get the picture. Companies must identify what buyers want and work towards meeting this demand so as to not fall behind. The entrepreneurs that understand how to build the expectation satisfying mechanism into their products and survaces will gain clear advantage in 2010 and beyond.
Tell stories and help others retell them
Current online activity sets a blistering pace how fast someone can tout or destroy a product. Your story has to be real, concise and repeatable. The right story about a new product or service can go global in days with instant awareness – if it’s the right story. This way the awareness is following, not leading, the distribution of opinions about your company.
Things are changing and you have to move forward or begin to become irrelevant. Ideas like these are quickly becoming marketing ‘musts’ rather than ‘trends’. Get started right away…you’ll be glad you did.
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