15 Point Business Marketing Inspection Checklist
The primary function for your business marketing efforts is to elicit a positive response from your target audience.
So what happens when you channel money into an advertising and marketing campaign that’s met with little or no results?
Hopefully our Free 15 point Business Marketing Inspection Checklist may help.
1: Being too creative
On occasion, advertisers become too ‘cute and clever’ when it comes to marketing. It’s OK to jump on the seasonal band wagon and run Summer, Christmas or Easter campaigns for example, but remember that everyone else will probably be doing the same. Therefore your valuable Press Ads could be in the danger of fading in to the background as they fight for prominence. Try not to be too over creative that it dampens your marketing message.
2: Your ads are rarely changed
Repeating the same ad too many times is like telling a joke everyone knows. Make sure that your Ads are consistently branded for easy recognition but make it a point to keep your content fresh.
3: You are advertising to the wrong crowd
Whether it be a newspaper, trade publication, TV, radio or internet advertising campaign, ask your media sales rep or marketing manager to show you stats on the respective audience. Be sure the right people are seeing what you have to offer.
4: No Consistency
When marketing your business in multiple places, be sure that all of your pieces have a singular message/theme. Consistency is key!
5: Too much information
Do not place more than three selling points within your ads. Info overload will result in forgotten info.
6: Urgency is not being communicated
Create deadlines for special offers. Open-ended deals are often taken for granted by distracted shoppers.
7: Your presentation style is too closely aligned with another company
While it is OK to pick-up ideas from others, be sure that you’re not mimicking every step of a business you admire. Chances are, you’re losing business to the “original” and be castigated as a wannabe.
8: No branding strategy
Though your press ads will change, the way in which you present your business shouldn’t. Be sure that you are working to develop a consistent way of conveying the personality of your business.
9: Your ads are self-serving
Make sure that you are using words like ‘YOU’ and ‘YOUR’ in your advertising and marketing efforts rather than focussing on the ‘WE’ and ‘OUR’. You want your ads to cause a spark with the reader with your business product or service being the solution.
10: You present no clear means of contact
Whether it is a website, phone number, email or address, be sure your desired means of contact is prominently displayed and easily read.
11: Not having a website or landing page
The vast majority of your customers will seek out your webpage before ever reaching out to you directly.
12: Using marketing tools that have very little reach
If you are on an incredibly tight budget, you may want to think twice before doing something like paying to have your vehicle wrapped in graphics or hiring a plane with your company banner tied to the back fly over the local village fete. Given the amount that you have to spend on your business marketing, be sure that you explore avenues that will maximise your exposure.
13: Not getting to the point
If you do not have the full attention of your audience in the first five seconds, your ads may contain too much ‘fluff’.
14: Oversight
Typos, poor grammar, Photoshop mishaps and other common mistakes will reduce the impact of any marketing campaign.
15: Call the professionals
There comes a point in every business when you need to evaluate the quality of your company brand and marketing literature. If you need to raise your game and make sure you stand out from the crowd then don’t feel embarrassed to seek out the guidance of a professional design and marketing agency … ahem, such as BlueFlameDesign.
Contact BlueFlameDesign if you need assistance in designing, building and establishing a punchy and noticeable marketing