What is Marketing and Why is it Important for Business?

Having spent the last nearly 20 years in the communications and marketing field working with both large-scale and small-scale, private corporations and public sector organizations offered me the opportunity to work on creative and challenging projects, and meet some of the most interesting and inspiring people like Michelle Obama. Through my experiences, I have been able to understand, assess and assist each of these entities in reaching their very specific and unique goals. For private companies, my work included increasing their revenues using data collected through a variety of methods.  For them it was about managing their reputation and creating a brand. For local governments it was about providing consistent messaging to people regardless of age, address of ethnicity, managing their reputation and creating a brand. Now that I am a small business owner (responsible for marketing myself), I can’t emphasize enough how important marketing is to both of us in managing our reputation and creating our brand.

In simple terms, marketing is the act of promoting and selling a product or service. The term “Marketing” is broad, and includes other strategies like market research, advertising, social media, content management, among others. For me, marketing is about making sure the “What” I am selling (in this case me) is what I can deliver, is clearly understood, is truthful and consistent, and that my message is reaching the right audience. If you haven’t thought about these things yet for your business, or you have sprinkled them in every now and then, but saw no results, I urge you to consider where you will be a year from now, five years from now and so on and what your business will look like if you don’t start taking marketing your business seriously. You know your business. I know Marketing. Together we can fold strategies into business plans by developing a strategic marketing plan for your short-term and long-term goals.

Why Is Marketing Important? Marketing is important because:  

• It Educates and informs
  Providing customers/clients with information about who you are gives them the tools they need to make decisions about how they will spend their time and money. A well thought out plan can help you target your audience and modify language that best fits them. Are you doing this and if so, how are you managing your results? If you’re not doing this, isn’t it about time you got started?
• Marketing connects you and your customer
  Digital Marketing, specifically social media, and online opportunities, allows you to have a deeper, longer lasting experience with you customer. Your customer base goes way outside your front door so how are you staying connected?
• Marketing builds your brand
  We are living in a ‘viral’ world, and in a split second your reputation can catch fire or burn out. Your online reputation is critical for your success. If you aren’t managing the “what,” “why” and “how” people are talking about you, believe me someone else will!
• Marketing makes you money!
  To make a sale, build loyalty, create buzz people need to know who you are and what you do. The best way to do this is to incorporate marketing strategies into your business plan. Yes, word-of-mouth is tried and true, but our world is changing, and you need to think about extending your reach well beyond your neighborhood, city or region.

There is so much to talk about when it comes to marketing – it’s my second favorite subject after my two precious daughters! Let’s grow together – we can start small, create momentum and market your business so you can take it to the next level.

Schedule a 1-on-1 and see how we can work together!