Here's the JS&A 'Top 10 in 2010' List of Hot Marketing Tips. Take a look and let us know your thoughts, predictions and trends for marketing this year as well.
10. Content is King: We are no longer in Kansas Toto. You can't just write around the topic anymore. Say it precisely, say it again and get out. Make sure it's relevant or folks won't read. There's a very low tolerance these days for anything but real. BTW: this will drive your site retention, SEO, media pickup etc. So really, keep it real.
9. Marketing Means Experience: Think Apple, Amazon and Starbucks. All these brands understand that users/viewers want an experience, not just a product. Understand your buyers, including their emotional drivers, and make sure your product or service offers it. In a trying economy, the experience you provide can be that key differentiator for why you succeed.
8. Customer Service: This point goes hand-in-hand with "experience." If you don't do it well, don't do it at all. If that means only having 3 products vs. 5, then only have 3. And customer service should be a top consideration of every member of your company, including your receptionists, technicians and A/P representatives.
7. Tell A Story: No one wants to hear a company ringing its own bell anymore. Give us customer testimonials and case studies, preferably in video. Give us the reasons why. The days of just stating "we are the best" are over, thank goodness.
6. The Community Wins: With blog comments, facebook posts, and YouTube dumps, to name just a few, there are more ways than ever to hear from the buyer/community-at-large. 2010 will be the year companies have to listen and should respond... or risk having no control over messaging hitting the marketplace.
5. Not So Personal Anymore: As we are all jumping online for our latest tweets or LinkedIn posts, be careful of your "personal" posts-- as personal is not so personal anymore, especially when your CEO and mother-in-law are your latest "followers" and "friends".
4. The More Minds the Better: Sharing is a key word this decade. Online Apps, such as Google Apps, YouSendIt, Skype and Webex, are helping companies, large and small, embrace collaboration. Even QuickBooks is providing secure access for financial employees and external accounting services.
3. Cell Phone Heaven: Yes, everyone has an iPhone or Android and smartphone apps are all the rage. But with services like Foursquare hot on the market, it won't be long before every restaurant you hit or store you step into has a rating and review site and coupons and discounts are being pushed to you. GPS has never looked creepier. From a marketing standpoint, yay.
2. Personal Touch: Having said all this, the personal touch still goes a long way. A hand-written thank you note, a meeting in-person, a handshake still speaks volumes, perhaps even moreso, in this high-tech crazy world.
1. Listen and Listen More: The last tip is an "oldie but goodie". My father used to tell me that the smartest person in the room is usually the quietest. He might have been trying to keep me quiet for more than 2 seconds, but it always stuck with me. Most interviews, prospect meetings and even blogs are better when you first listen to others, then speak/write. It leads to a more productive, targeted conversation. Ideally it answers a few questions that were on the table.
So without further adieu, please leave your top tip or trend. Looking forward to reading your posts.
Jaymie Scotto Cutaia
