5 Easy To Avoid Mistakes in Your Small Business Marketing

Do you have a brand new business sprouting as we speak? Or may be you own a small business trying to find its feet? In either case you need a plan to reach your target customer. And you need it fast.

Just like the big Fortune 500 companies, even the humblest of start-ups need a thorough road-map. What makes it different for start-ups is that they can't afford a lot of trial and error. You can't afford to loose a million dollar in market research or focus groups to find out what might work. You have to risk, but do it in a small, one-step-a-time manner. Lets find out what to avoid in your initial marketing and promotional exercises.

1. Acting Small

Greatest sin you can commit in this time and age is to act small. Of course, you are a small business but internet gives you a level playing field with the big guys. So go out, get a neat website, find some multiple-id corporate email ids, get a toll-free no. and open the shutter to public. Dn't make it blatantly obvious that you are a one-man/woman band. Find ways of being big- not small.

2. Underselling

Yes, you are just starting out. Every penny counts and you have mounting bills. Granted. Undercutting a competitor by underselling can be a business strategy, but simply trying to survive by taking whatever you can- is a SOS signal. Remember, price is an integral part of your marketing mix, please do not dilute it. 'Better-value' is a unique proposition'; ‘cheap-product' is not.

3. Boasting

Do you have references and testimonials to prove your credibility? Is there a way of telling your customers that you know what you are doing? If not, then whatever you say in support of your product and services will sound like an over-hyped speech. So please be careful. Your sales page might be boasting beyond your customer’s logic.

4. Blabbering Online

If you have a business to manage, you have a reputation to guard. Blabbering on online forums, writing sleazy chain-emails, or, commenting rudely on blogs will all show on your Google resume. Watch what you do online.

5. Freeby-Mania

Its very common for new small business owners to be always on the lookout of freebes. Not bad. As long as it cuts the cost and provides added productivity. Beware of too many freeby links in your website, or, emails. Maybe that presentation that you made with free software that left a 'sample' watermark, can find its way to your clients.

Hopefully these tips will help you guard against small errors you can make in a bid to quickly promote your business. These are all common-sense pitfalls. Make a habit of avoiding them once will help you throughout your entrepreneurial career.

By : ZAGGER NAUT

source : amazines