How to choose the best marketing strategies for you

So, are you planning to do some 'marketing. If you're a small business owner, chances are you've already discovered that the options are virtually endless.

You could put ads in local or national publications ... build a new Websitecreate a brochure ... launch an e-zine ... a competition ... put on an event ... get published ... have your name printed on pens ... put out a press release ... and well, you get the idea.

For some entrepreneurs, all of these options result in total paralysis ... You do nothing because you can not decide what to do.

Or, you end up choosing your marketing strategies for the wrong reasons so do not get good results. Just because something is cheap, or the right time or the opportunity comes from someone you know does not mean it's going to help you grow your business.

I once had a client who was addicted to marketing low cost as a woman is addicted to sales. It did not matter if he needed it or not, or if the occasion is a good fit, until the price was just about to buy. Boy did lose a lot of money "free or cheap" marketing tactics that get results.

I also have a client who wants to jump on every opportunity that comes his way. Someone called with a new shopping cart system and she is ready to buy. Networking organization that wants to join and get published in its directory. Of course you must decide in the coming days to enter into this edition. So she feels compelled not to let this opportunity pass.

You can tell the dream seller?

So how do you choose the best marketing strategies for your company?

Instead of making a marketing decision based on price, convenience, or familiarity, you must watch your objectives, the results are likely to get the real costs and the potential rewards.

Do not know how? Try using the summary of the questions below to help you make better choices. Every time you are presented with a new marketing opportunity ask yourself:

1) Will this strategy to get me past my ideal customer or target market?

2) this strategy will help me achieve my ultimate goals or desired outcome?

If you answer no to one of these, stop and go the opportunity. If you answered yes to both, then it is time to calculate the real cost.

3) What is the initial cost up front?

4) How long will it take to put it all together?

Now time to add 1/3 more than you think is necessary, then multiply the number of hours by your hourly rate to calculate the cost of time.

5) Will I need all the professional services, such as printing, graphic design or copywriting to complete the project?

6) If so, how much will my project done by the due date? Not sure? Call around and get estimates.

7) Do not have time to do this right, or I'll pull an all night to do everything? If you have to work late, which counts as one and a half and multiply by your hourly rate.

Now add up all these costs and ask yourself ...

8) If it's good for my budget?

9) How many new customers would need to break even on investment (Divide the total cost to the average revenue generated by a new customer)?

10) It is also possible, the less likely?

If you have answered all these questions, you should now have a reasonable idea of ​​the actual costs of your opportunities, as well as the potential return on investment (ROI). It should be clear whether the option is a good fit for you.

The bottom line is ... never take a marketing decision based solely on cost or convenience. After all it is more expensive: $ 5000 A campaign that brings in 20 new customers each spend $ 300 (net income of $ 1000), or an ad "free" really costs you $ 800 to build, but does not bring in any business entirely new?
You decide .........