free marketing tip of the day: ask questions, already!
There’s a lot in this economy that prompts fear, inaction, stagnation, and a bunch of tire-kicking. People are grappling with this fear at the same time they’re searching high and low for marketing tips that won’t further deplete the nonexistent contents of their wallets.
It’s time for today’s best free marketing tip: ask questions, already!
Forgive me if this is a no duh, but I am always shocked at the number of times I ask clients or potential client when the last time they asked a new lead how they heard of them…and get a blank stare, complete with crickets.
Chirp…chirp…
Here are my five favorite questions to help you expand and grow your business:
- How did you hear about us? Simple to ask, this question can deliver HUGE marketing results. If you suddenly find that 10 out of 20 potential leads have heard from you from a friend, it may be time to kick that person a referral bonus or develop an ongoing referral relationship. If none of them came from the Web, maybe it’s time to retool that site or look into SEO. With a bit of tracking and a ton of consistency, this question can be the #1 tool in your marketing arsenal. See today’s SmartBlog on Social Media for more info on measuring your word of mouth.
- So…Do you want to buy? So many people make a great pitch…and never get around to actually asking for the sale.
- What do you need? This could seem like a no-brainer, but all too often I see companies that offer a product or service that nobody needs. Let this question guide your marketing and you’ll be directed to results.
- How will I measure return on investment? This one can save you some major marketing moolah. If you don’t know how you’ll measure the results, how will you know if your marketing dollars have been spent wisely? If you don’t have tracking systems in place now, get them. In this economy, you should know the direction of every marketing dollar you spend.
- How can I help? Have you ever had that friend who hijacks every conversation with their latest saga? Don’t be that friend. Make yourself helpful to others and you can’t help but increase the reputation and stature of your business. You might even make a few friends along the way.
Photo courtsey of Orin Optoglot.
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