WHAT IS MARKETING?

I was motivated to write this article because too often when I ask business owners
what they think marketing is, I usually get two words; advertising and selling.

Marketing isn’t just advertising or selling. It’s a strategic approach to acquiring
new customers and prospects. It’s about finding people who are most likely
to need the products or services you offer, then taking steps to convert
them into paying customers.

Marketing is about finding out what the needs of your potential customers are.
Their challenges and problems; then educating them on how your products
and services will benefit them.  It’s also about implementing activities that
will develop relationships with customers and prospects while encouraging
them to give you referrals and repeat business.

So next time you hear the word marketing, think way, way beyond advertising
and selling. Don’t just think of it as one single event or ad. Marketing is
most effective for small business owners when they use many different
tactics, working together to achieve a common goal, like increasing your sales.

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