Effective marketing starts with a solid plan, yet most small and mid-sized businesses don’t have one. If there’s no marketing plan and no time to devote to one, then your entire budget might be spent by the first advertising sales representative to make it through the door. Perhaps that’s why many business owners and managers see marketing as a black hole into which they throw their hard-earned dollars with uncertain results. It doesn’t have to be that way.
Because Hendrickson Business Advisors is a management AND marketing consulting firm, we are able to evaluate your entire business and help you determine if you’re even ready to market. A few things to consider:
- Does your brand convey the right message to your customer? You don’t want to keep using a tired logo or a tagline that isn’t with the times. Our in-house graphic designer and writing team can refresh your visual brand.
- What do your customers think about your business? Do you have the brand awareness you think you have? Are there other products or services that you can provide? Good market research, including focus groups and statistically accurate survey results, helps take the guesswork out of matching your organization’s abilities with your customers’ needs.
- What do your customers and prospects REALLY think of your business? We can send mystery shoppers to your business in person and over the phone to discover exactly how your employees interact with customers. (We can even shop the competition if you’d like to know how THEY do it.) If there are areas for improvement, we can train your employees to put your best foot forward.
Once you’re sure you have the infrastructure built to market, Hendrickson Business Advisors will work with you to develop a plan that is appropriate for you and within your budget. A good ballpark number to let you know what to expect for a proper marketing budget is 7 – 9% of your company’s gross revenue. That typically covers all expenses including professional guidance, graphic design, production and placement (printed brochures, ads, billboards, etc.).
A good marketing plan starts with a strong foundation and a solid plan. Contact us today to get started growing your top line revenue today.
