How Do You Use Guerrilla Marketing?
There are two rules in guerrilla marketing. 1. There is no rule in guerrilla marketing. And, two: 2. Refer to […]
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Marketing may seem simple…
Whether it’s content marketing, email marketing, pay-per-click, direct mail or social media marketing…
But when the foundational rules of marketing are broken, almost nothing could be more difficult!
On the other hand …
When you stick to the basics, marketing can be a massive driver for sales, growth and success.
A Beginners Guide to Marketing
When new marketers first learn the basics of marketing, they can often see success very quickly. The basics start with a deep understanding of a clearly defined customer segment and a strong focus on the value being delivered to this chosen target market. Once these two important points are defined, the next important basic element is mastery of the Marketing Mix, a.k.a the 4 P’s of marketing.
Marketing encompasses several disciplines, tactics, and strategies, all aimed at convincing prospects to purchase products/services from your brand.
Learning this trade takes years, and mastering your craft even longer. But when you get into a groove, marketing can be the most rewarding, flexible and productive set of skills you could ever develop!
And we are going to build your foundation right now.
Regardless of the specific type of marketing that you want to focus on (there are many wonderful options for you in marketing). If you want more information about a college degree in marketing, please go here. To start learning about marketing on your own, here are 7 ways to build a great education about marketing:
Reading marketing books and other resources is probably the best way to get started with marketing. As a beginner, you will greatly benefit from the wisdom and insights of those who have gone through similar paths. The best way is to find books from seasoned marketing professionals highlighting various facets of marketing.
That said, 9 of the best marketing books ever written are:
It is common for entrepreneurs to look for business mentors, especially when negotiating the challenging start-up landscape or for general guidance.
If you are struggling in specific business areas, especially marketing, working with a mentor can help you acquire practical skills that apply directly to your business. Mentors help with the following;
With more shoppers preferring to order their purchases online, starting a website is the best, first-hand way to hone your marketing skills. Websites provide a perfect place for prospects and customers to interact with your brand and learn about your products and services. This platform makes your products available at any time, and customers can make orders around the clock.
However, despite being a beginner, you should ensure that you build a good marketing website. For starters, it should have a very clear purpose, be visually appealing, and be technically secure.
Active networking boosts career growth in every profession. Unfortunately, most people shudder by the thought of networking, often associating it with cheesy events, awkwardness, and the perception that you are “selling” yourself.
However, networking is generally about meeting new people and building long-term relationships and a good reputation. Networking actually forms the basis of getting a mentor. For example, if you meet other marketers who handle marketing for brands, entrepreneurs and local business, you could not only learn a lot about what is working and what isn’t but you’ll also add additional great people into your network.
There is no better way to gauge your marketing skills than trying it out. Writing an advertising campaign, be it digital or print media ads, you will get a better experience doing it yourself. While doing it, ensure that you have a perfect understanding of your products and target market. Doing this provides a basis for which you can evaluate your skills based on the performance of the ad. And there is nothing putting your own money on the line to raise your own game.
Digital advertising, just like writing an ad, is another great way to learn and hone marketing skills.
While digital advertising encompasses several activities, you can begin with the basics, such as content marketing, PPC, display advertising, copywriting, SEO, and email marketing. This equips you with fundamental marketing skills and forces you to stack the most relevant current skills on top of the solid marketing education you gained in step 1 above.
Tracking results is an important thing for every activity, and marketing isn’t an exception. Tracking the results of your marketing campaign is important as it measures return on ad spend (ROAI), customer acquisition costs, lead costs, sales revenue gained, and even customer satisfaction.
Successful marketing requires a solid understanding of the core basics, a set of constantly evolving skills and … time.
Here are some of the skills you can begin to learn and stack them on top of one another. Over time, you will have a wonderful, positive skill stack that will serve you well not just for your marketing career, but for your entire life and those in your sphere of influence.