Research to reveal hidden market treasures
In marketing, you have two options - you can follow what your competitors are up to, ghosting their campaigns and initiatives with your own, or...
STARTING A BUSINESS
MARKETING & SALES
You can't have a successful business without selling. Find out what it takes to be successful in sales, get powerful hints for low cost marketing, and learn how to add that 'marketing magic' to your sales efforts. And remember, you don't need to do it all on your own. Let BizThinkTank show you how to learn from the marketing success of others to give your start-up business the best chance of success.
The opinions expressed in these articles are those of the author and not those of Optus. The articles on this website contain general information only and are not intended to be relied on as legal, financial or professional advice. Readers should seek their own advice based on their specific business [or personal] needs.
How to bring your sales home -- marketing tips for those in the real estate game
To sell, you have to be seen. And in a crowded marketplace, visibility is key.
Nine sure-fire networking tips
Networking is one of the most important business-building activities you can do to boost your business in tough times.
Taking care of your regional business with sure-fire sales strategies
As a regional business, there may be fewer businesses in your area who provide similar goods and services to yours, but a monopoly in the industry shouldn't equate to sloppy service.
Offering an alternative to regional customers
To excel in sales, you need to look to your regional market and identify what you can offer to the customer that they cannot get anywhere else.
USP - an important region for your business
For any business owner starting out in a regional area, one of the many challenges is coming up with a unique selling proposition (USP) that makes your business stand out. While it has to be unique, there are some important points of law you need to
Marketing made easy
To stand out in the manufacturing business, your marketing strategy has to break the mould. Sure, you might make shoes or ships or ceiling wax, but what makes your business stand out from your competitors?
I'm not a salesperson but I have to sell. What do I do?
After thousands of hours of study and many years honing technical skills to be a competent professional in your chosen field, it can come as a rude shock that you now need to sell your services and capabilities as well. In today's busy market, a comp
Regional business, national success
From Port Macquarie to the nation - Professional Finance Mortgage Brokers' Donna Beazley reveals how this regional business garnered national recognition.
Get customers talking
The greatest marketers a business can have are its customers, so it's important you tap into this resource. It goes without saying that the reputation of your business is in the hands of the customers who frequent it. And, especially in retail trade,
55 Twitter tips
Like any medium that captures the public imagination, Twitter brings a myriad of opportunities to strengthen customer relationships and build brands and businesses. But not all tweets are equal - and because Twitter allows users to choose whether to
Closing the deal
You've got the buyer hook, line and sinker. But how do you close the deal? Most will admit it's the toughest part of the entire sales process. But there are ways to make sure you get the sale over the line. Here are 10 tips to seal the deal.
10 ways to prepare your website for Christmas
It's that time of the year again - with only so many sleeps until Christmas, it's time for online retailers to start panicking about their key selling period.
Clever marketing ideas
When John and Ros Moriarty took their hair brain idea to Qantas to paint a plane red with an aboriginal motif they knew they were pushing the envelope. How they pitched it and pulled it off could easily be put under the category of guts marketing.
Marketing is key
Coming up with a great new marketing idea for your business that doesn't cost the earth need not be a pipe dream.
20 sales and marketing problems solved
The recession has thrown the sales and marketing strategies of entrepreneurs into disarray.
Marketing outside the square
Thinking outside the square is important when coming up with a marketing strategy that will set your business aside from the rest.
Award Winners
To have a winning business, leadership and great staff are crucial. I remember the time that a local paper held its annual small business awards. It was a packed house, with hundreds not able to get a booking for the event.
Low cost marketing to make the cash register go 'ting'.
Marketing your business properly is crucial to getting customers and clients through the front door.
Be market savvy
One of the most fascinating and successful businesses in Australia is Working Dog, the company that has produced such great movies as The Castle and The Dish. The team behind it became famous during the '90s as 'The D-Generation'.
Podcasting your business
Ever thought about podcasting and how you could benefit from it in your business? It could be a new way of communicating with your customers.
Effective communication
The great business builders are champions at communicating and reaching their audience. And just about all of them used that Communications 101 technique of public relations to get the business noticed and growing.
Marketing magic
Can you learn by reading about other's success? The whole point of reading about successful small business operators is simple - you want to be told something you don't know.
Money talks
Money Talks. Being an effective salesperson comes naturally to some people and the experts argue there are several key characteristics of the top sellers.
Networking nous
Let's look at a common question many SMEs ask themselves: how much time, money and most importantly energy do I have to expend on networking to achieve rewards for my effort?
29 characteristics of an entrepreneur
So you want to be an entrepreneur? Years ago, the word 'entrepreneur' fell into disuse because of the negative connotations attached to it. But hard working business owners have in more recent times resuscitated the word.
Thinking outside the square
Effective marketing is integral to any new business. By thinking outside the square, developing a marketing strategy that will not blow the budget is possible.
Standing out in a crowd
Your business is special to you, but customers need to be convinced that it is special to them too.
Learning to sell
When a person opens up their shop or becomes a consultant for the first time, they can be surprised that they're actually in sales. Those who work as professionals (doctors, lawyers, etc) often don't realise the sales side of their business.
Low cost marketing
There's no doubt about it, marketing is a popular buzzword for people in business. As a business owner you know you should be doing it, but do you really understand what marketing is? And how can you go about it without it costing you a fortune?
On the home front
For those working from home, marketing can be a daunting task. Marketing experts advise home-based and other micro-businesses to be very realistic about their operations.
The referral
A referral is the greatest complement a customer or a supplier can give to you and your business. It is a clear indication that you have done something right.
Marketing and complaints
Winning customers and keeping them is the number one strategy for businesses determined to have an impressive and long track record -- but there are some important lessons we all must learn or remember.
Whole lotta love
There is more to building your brand than customers or clients simply recognising your logo or catchphrase.
That's what I want
Marketing your business well is important in achieving your business goal.
Funny business
Advertising is important for any business, but what constitutes good advertising?
Lead the way
Getting people talking and excited about your business is one of the best ways to market it.
Naked ambition
Clever marketing is crucial to boosting the image of your business.
Tips to improve your sales skills
It's important for your business to be on top of sales. Here are some tips to improve you sales skills.
Business in tough times
During tough times, cutting back on certain parts of your business may be detrimental.
MEMBERS SIGN IN
Not a member? Sign up now!
Receive the free Advantage Newsletter, join the discussion in our forums, and get news and updates.
SIGN UP
RECENT ARTICLES
10 lessons from the dotcom bust
March marks a decade since the beginning of the end for the dotcom bubble. On March 10, 2000, the technology-heavy NASDAQ sharemarket index peaked at 5048.62 - double its valuation of a year earlier
The entrepreneurial factor
Leadership is one of the most important ingredients when it comes to growing a business. It's also crucial to take lessons from other great entrepreneurs on board.
Switzer's Hint
The truly greats of mankind's history never became great by accident or by doing it the easy way: "Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together." Vincent Van Gogh
BizThinkTank brought to you by:
