{"id":5013,"date":"2011-11-09T13:50:14","date_gmt":"2011-11-09T13:50:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.questionpro.com\/?p=5013"},"modified":"2024-03-14T00:28:15","modified_gmt":"2024-03-14T00:28:15","slug":"26-practical-marketing-ideas-that-require-research","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.questionpro.com\/blog\/26-practical-marketing-ideas-that-require-research\/","title":{"rendered":"26 Practical Marketing Ideas That Require Research"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s not always the economy, and you\u2019re not stupid.\u00a0 The marketing process is a lot like the laws of physics, for every action, there\u2019s an equal and opposite reaction.\u00a0 The trouble with sales is that there are so many variables that it\u2019s hard to pinpoint where the problem is so that you can fix it.<\/p>\n

The following is a list of 25 DIY Marketing strategies that you can try to boost your sales. I originally published this article on AMEX Open Forum. But when I looked at it again, I realized that it’s not enough to grab any of these strategies and just run with them. You’ll want to do some research to support your plan.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Customer research<\/strong>.\u00a0 Although it\u2019s tempting to jump in and try to do anything, take the time to ask your customers what\u2019s important to them and what other alternatives they are considering to solve their problems.\u00a0 Check out online survey tools like QuestionPro<\/a> and SurveyMonkey.<\/li>\n
  2. Offer different sizes at different prices<\/strong>.\u00a0 Pricing expert and author of 1% Windfall,<\/em> Rafi Mohamed<\/a> says that people will buy at price points that are appealing to them (assuming they have a need or interest in your product).\u00a0 Give your customers the opportunity to try and buy.<\/li>\n
  3. Add new products<\/strong>.\u00a0 Consider the possibility your customers want something else. Do your research and check your profit margins before you expand your product lines.<\/li>\n
  4. Drop Unprofitable products<\/strong>.\u00a0 Profitability is more important than sales.\u00a0 Evaluate your product lines and drop products that aren\u2019t passing profit muster.\u00a0 Another option is to raise prices on products that are unprofitable.<\/li>\n
  5. Bundle products<\/strong>.\u00a0 McDonald\u2019s is king of the bundle.\u00a0 Create a value offer that moves product at good margins and gives customers great value.<\/li>\n
  6. Find new markets.<\/strong>\u00a0 This is a favorite strategy.\u00a0 Look for emerging markets that have a need for your product or capability.\u00a0 Open your mind and ask \u201cwhat if\u201d or \u201cin what ways\u201d questions to see how to penetrate more profitable markets.<\/li>\n
  7. Provide home delivery or offer monthly delivery<\/strong>.\u00a0 Combine a distribution strategy with a subscription model to create repeat sales.<\/li>\n
  8. Develop new, more varied uses for your product<\/strong>.\u00a0 We wouldn\u2019t know that there were millions of uses for baking soda if Arm and Hammer didn\u2019t pull them together and advertise them.<\/li>\n
  9. Change the name to reflect the new market. If you\u2019re launching into a new market, change the name of your product to better reflect the benefits it<\/strong>\u00a0provides.<\/li>\n
  10. Test higher and lower prices in different markets.<\/strong> You don\u2019t have to charge the same price in the same market. Different markets have different needs, charge accordingly .<\/li>\n
  11. Try different distribution channels.<\/strong>\u00a0 Distribution means being within arm\u2019s reach of your customer and their wallet.\u00a0 Think of the different ways you can do that; email, direct marketing, catalog, direct sales, kiosk, manufacturers rep.\u00a0 The possibilities are endless.<\/li>\n
  12. Try new sales incentives and commission structures.<\/strong>\u00a0 Sales people spend effort where they will make the most money.\u00a0 Take a close look at your commission structure and make sure that you are rewarding sales people for profitable sales.<\/li>\n
  13. Change how you sell.<\/strong>\u00a0 Don\u2019t just assume your current sales strategy is optimal. Consider using affiliates, partners, home parties, catalogs, internet, etc.<\/li>\n
  14. Change or adjust your sales process or system<\/strong>.\u00a0 Your sales process might be out-dated.\u00a0 Take the time to explore new strategies such as Craig Elias\u2019, Trigger Events or Jill Konrath\u2019s\u00a0 SNAP Selling.<\/li>\n
  15. Develop or focus on lead generation program<\/strong>.\u00a0 Where are your leads coming from and are they good leads.\u00a0 Take a good hard look at your conversions from trade shows, web sites, etc and start optimizing all of them to attract your ideal customer.\u00a0 For help, check out HubSpot \u2013 they are masters of inbound marketing.<\/li>\n
  16. Develop a personal follow-up program.<\/strong>\u00a0 Most sales are lost because our follow-up systems stink.\u00a0 Map out your sales process and develop a follow-up system that touches your customer at least 7 \u2013 10 times.\u00a0 For help, visit Constant Contact, aWeber and InfusionSoft \u00a0and the new Nimble.<\/li>\n
  17. Provide free troubleshooting<\/strong>. Don\u2019t sell and run; help your customers overcome buyer\u2019s remorse by helping them use and love your product or service.<\/li>\n
  18. Build a customer\/user community.<\/strong>\u00a0 Don\u2019t forget the power of social media.\u00a0 Create a customer community<\/a> using a Facebook page or Twitter, these tools aren\u2019t just for big companies or consumer groups.\u00a0 If social media isn\u2019t your thing \u2013 create a customer community using the SurveySwipe mobile survey platform and ask your community questions.<\/li>\n
  19. Institute a referral program.<\/strong> Word of mouth is powerful, so create a referral system that rewards fans of your company or product.<\/li>\n
  20. Use QR codes to drive customers to coupons<\/strong>. Research shows that customers love grabbing coupons from their mobile devices, so use QR codes<\/a> to reward them for buying.<\/li>\n
  21. Create a video couponing page<\/strong>. Groupon has gotten mixed reviews for small business \u2013 but Video Coupons are a whole new ball game.\u00a0 Customers love video and remember twice as much as ads they see on TV and Video coupons are inexpensive and easy to do.<\/li>\n
  22. Offer financing or multiple payment plan.<\/strong>\u00a0 \u00a0QVC already knows that customers will buy more and spend more if you offer a payment plan.\u00a0 Remember customers love to buy in increments of $20. So make your monthly prices $19.99, $39.99, etc.<\/li>\n
  23. Volume discounts or bundle discounts<\/strong>.\u00a0 Reward your customers for buying more items more frequently.<\/li>\n
  24. Establish a customer club<\/strong>.\u00a0 Even restaurants can have a customer club.\u00a0 Charge a monthly fee to receive coupons, free gifts and invites to special events.<\/li>\n
  25. Develop a contest to build leads, communities and excitement.<\/strong>\u00a0 Contests build community and customers.\u00a0 Use powerful social media tools to manage yours.\u00a0 There\u2019s even an online app to help you create and manage contests \u2013 Wildfire.<\/li>\n
  26. Direct marketing to target customers<\/strong>.\u00a0 Three-dimensional, snail mail marketing is still extremely effective.\u00a0 Select a target group of customers and send them special offers.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    LEARN ABOUT:<\/strong> Action Research<\/a><\/p>\n

    And there you have it. This list is long but only a sliver of the possibilities that are available to you. Look at declining sales as a signal that it\u2019s time to change things up, and use this list to get you started.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    It\u2019s not always the economy, and you\u2019re not stupid.\u00a0 The marketing process is a lot like the laws of physics, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":128,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[180],"tags":[428,429],"yoast_head":"\n26 Practical Marketing Ideas That Require Research | QuestionPro<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"It\u2019s not always the economy, and you\u2019re not stupid.\u00a0 The marketing process is a lot like the laws of physics, for every action, there\u2019s an equal and\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link 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