Marketing can seem like a dark art best left to the experts. The problem is that experts are generally quite expensive. Mongezi Mtati, the founding MD of word-of-mouth marketing firm WordStart suggests that marketing needn’t be an expensive exercise if you follow some basic steps to increase your chances of winning new business.
“If we start on the premise that marketing is everything, then every single encounter is a marketing opportunity,” he says.
Mongezi says the following simple actions can help you wow potential clients:
Impressions count: Phone calls can be long and dreary, or highly energetic. Don’t underestimate your ability to make a better impression, and even help improve the recipient’s mood. Work on your telephone call skills to become the person existing and potential customers want to speak to.
Get to the point: People are inundated with emails and other forms of written communication. Cut through the clutter by writing short, concise, informative emails that clearly state who you are, what you do and why you are writing to the recipient of your email.
It’s not all about you: Social media is a fabulous new (inexpensive) way to connect with your audience. The operative word is ‘connect’: use social media to share useful, industry and market insights that add value to your customers, network and colleagues.
It’s not all about the money: Show an interest in people as people first. There is tremendous value in establishing a relationship based on mutual benefit and getting potential customers to take a personal interest in your business. Reciprocate this interest by connecting them to people in your network that they will benefit from knowing. Getting the sale is important, but relationships are the basis of securing that order.
Follow Mongezi on Twitter at @Mongezi
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