SME owners puzzled over the power of marketing

Power of marketing

It doesn’t matter if you’ve been in business for 10 years or 10 days, the same principles apply in order to harness the power of marketing to achieve success in your industry.

It’s no secret that Aussie small-business owners face constant challenges on the road to success, but our recent survey of 781 businesses has revealed exactly what it is that puts sweat on the brow of small-business owners and the results are surprising.

38% of Aussie business owners admit that they’re most concerned with attracting clients and marketing their business right. While many small-business owners don’t understand how marketing works, they appreciate that without it they’ll never be a successfully profitable business.

As small-business owners, marketing is often seen as an expense they’re not ready for or don’t think they can afford. They feel a sense of overwhelming nervousness when trying to understand marketing and the benefits of doing so to attract new clients.

There are very few small businesses out there taking advantage of new technologies to benefit their business. These new methods are not only far more cost effective than strategies used ten years ago, but are easier to use than ever before to promote a business on a tight budget.

Despite this, the survey revealed that small-business owners simply don’t understand the power of marketing, with close to half (43%) admitting that they’d like to know how to use marketing to generate new leads for their business, over and above mastering social media (12%), online and digital marketing (9%) and SEO (2%).

A lot of small-business owners are banging their heads against the wall because their marketing efforts are not working. The survey revealed that the one thing small business owners wish they could change in their business is generating new clients through marketing, this was above their concerns for improved teams, systems and even turnover.

At the end of the day, while turning a profit is essential for a business, without setting solid foundations from the outset through targeted marketing, you’re far less likely to get repeat customers, even if your product is amazing.

It all comes down to the perception of your business by your potential customers, because it doesn’t matter how many flyers you print, or how much you can afford to spend on advertising, if you aren’t generating a perception that resonates, no one will buy what you’re selling.

And, it doesn’t matter if you’ve been in business for 10 years or 10 days, the same principles apply in order to harness the power of marketing to achieve success in your industry.

Next week I’ll reveal some easy-to-follow, cost-effective tips for small-business owners looking to nail their next marketing campaign.

Christo Hall, Co-Founder, Basic Bananas