What's in store for small businesses marketing in 2012?
Good question.
It's something I've given a lot of thought to recently. And after a little debate, I decided to chime in with a few of my own predictions for what's in store for small business marketing this year. Keep in mind this is not every prediction rolling around in my noodle.
But it is a few of the biggies.
Give this short article a read to see for yourself.
3 Small Business Marketing Predictions for 2012:
1. The relationship is KING
It goes without saying that the relationship you have with your customers (and are building with your prospects) is important. It's been this way since the dawn of business. But in 2012 it will become vital. I'd say maybe even 80 to 90% of the buying decision will be made based on this alone.
Why?
It's simple:
People are bombarded from every nook and cranny with marketing messages by business owners claiming to be the best at whatever they do. The internet has made this even worse. And the only way to make sense out of who's telling the truth is to go based on that relationship.
2. People will tune OUT Social media more and more
Mark my words, Social Media (like Facebook and Twitter) will get tuned out more and more.
Really?
Yeah, and let me prove it to you.
Anytime a "new" media hits the scene, it's fascinating to people. And slowly but surely more and more people give it a try. Then what happens? That's right, the marketers move into the realm because they want in on the action too.
Who can blame them?
Problem is this leads to even more messages being blasted which annoys people.
Need an example?
Email.
I remember when email was this cool and novel idea. But what happened to email? It's become cluttered like your grandma's shoe closet.
So anyways...
I'm not against Social Media for chatting with friends and things. But I am strongly against it as tool that small business owners rely on for getting new customers.
3. Direct mail makes a huge comeback
Huh?
Yeah.
In fact, I'm on a lot of mailing lists. And I've noticed that my stack of mail is piling up. Why? Because direct mail is one of the best (if not THE best) media for attracting new customers, and savvy marketers already know this.
And with the postal rates going up, it's only going to get better.
Why?
Because only the best and brightest marketers will be able to afford direct mail which makes it "the elite" marketing place to be.
Compare this to Twitter: How much does it cost to blast a tweet to your list? Zippo. Which is why the least talented marketers use Twitter as their bread and butter tool for growing their business.
So there you have it.
3 small business marketing predictions for 2012.
One last thing:
If you own and operate a small business and are serious about growing it, then what's holding you back? That's right. Good information. Truth is you may be one good idea away from having a breakthrough. But you must be careful who to turn to for that breakthrough idea. Can I help you? Maybe... maybe not. To decide go to my website which is located in my author's box below.
Small Business Marketing
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