Qtips: Top 5 New Year’s marketing resolutions

1. Plan your targets for the year
2010 is set to be a more optimistic year for sales so it’s an ideal time to set new goals for all of your marketing effort. Make sure that your goals are SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timed) and pay attention to how your marketing efforts fit together.

2. Communicate with your customers regularly
Whether you send out a regular newsletter, e-newsletter, twitter, blog, facebook fan page, youtube campaigns, ebooks, personalised direct mails, update your website or a combination of all of these - the important thing is to keep doing it and to make the communication 2-way by allowing customers to feedback and contribute to the buzz. Great customer communication is what turns a happy customer into a loyal ambassador.

3. Be consistent
Make sure all of your outward communications are singing from the same hymn sheet, same branding, same styling, same messages, same tone of voice. As businesses grow organically, the more diverse your company communications can become, and whilst we’re not advocating the “how may I help you?” style of customer service, it is important to all be representing the company’s values, messages and belief’s.

4. Update your competitor research
Benchmark your competitor activities regularly and know where you’re positioned amongst them for both price, quality and market share.

5. Be innovative
Always try to improve things for your customers, a new product, new service, new communication method or an innovative campaign. Research what needs improving and then pilot new solutions with a trusted group of customers who will be honest with their feedback before launching it on the public.

If you have any questions about how to get started with these marketing resolutions or any other ideas that you have for 2010 email dsl@qballyhoo.com