Don’t despair, help is on hand.

As a busy small business owner, it can be really challenging to proactively market your business on top of all the other demands on your time.

But in the absence of big budgets, little and often (regular, consistent marketing) is the absolute key to gaining traction, building brand awareness and forming a strong foundation for growth. (If you want results, you can’t get away with leaving your marketing until last thing on a Friday afternoon!).

So, this week we’re sharing 5 tried and tested ways to help you make more time for marketing your business:

1. Make a plan:

Not only will you create more time, businesses with a plan in place are 20% more profitable than those without. Having a succinct, targeted marketing plan for your business allows you to focus on core priorities and schedule the less pressing activities for a later date.

Developing a clear, manageable plan will help you feel more in control of your marketing, enabling you to make confident decisions and reduce stress. And it doesn’t have to be complex, a simple marketing plan is better than none at all.

2. Jot down your weekly priorities:

Got your plan in place? Great! Now you need to break it down into actionable tasks that you can power through each week.

Scheduling your marketing activities into a planner will hugely increase the chances of them happening. Whether you like to use an app, online project management tool, wall planner or tear-off desk pad – the logic is the same. What doesn’t get written down won’t get done – fact. (Plus, it’s very motivating to tick items off as you go).

Don’t forget to check out our Resources section if you’d like to access our downloadable weekly planner. Each day is broken down into hourly time blocks to keep you focused.

Use planners to schedule your marketing activities and make them happen!

3. Time your tasks:

If you’re short on time, allocate a rough time estimate to each marketing task you have on your list. It may be a quick 10-minute phone call, a 1-hour networking group you need to attend, or a more time-intensive content planning session.

Start by blocking out the biggest chunks of time you need first; this will give immediate structure to your week. Shorter, 10-30 minutes marketing activities can be then be plugged into windows of free time (either planned or additional pockets of time that crop up). I often work on train journeys to make use of otherwise dead time – quiet, uninterrupted time that’s perfect for planning out blogs or social media content.

4. Work in 90-minute focus blocks

If you need to be more productive in order to free up time for marketing, a top tip shared by Talented Ladies Club is to work in 90-minute focus blocks.

Have you tried it? It really works.

Focus blocks are dedicated, highly productive pockets of time in which you concentrate solely on the task in hand. No tech distractions. No emails. No phone calls or interruptions. You’ll be amazed at how much this will boost your productivity and create free time.

If you think you could be using your time more effectively, handy time tracker apps like Toggl are also great for boosting productivity and winning back your time.

5. Find yourself an accountability partner:

Did you know that you’re a whopping 95% more likely to achieve your goals if you have an accountability partner?

That’s seriously impressive! If you find that you’re dragging your heels with a specific marketing task or bigger project, find yourself an accountability partner and get it done! It might just be a procrastination habit that is holding you back.

Why is having an accountability partner so effective? Because when you’re accountable to someone for something you said you would do, you engage the power of social commitment which dramatically increases your chances of success. Give it a try! I highly recommend it.

Want more small business marketing advice? Join our growing Instagram community for our latest news, marketing tips and small business inspiration!

[Blog illustration by Chloe’s Office].

The post 5 ways to make more time for marketing appeared first on Marketing Vision.

The role of a marketing plan is to map out all aspects of an organisation’s marketing intentions and activities for a set period of time. It’s a summary document that provides an important framework to ensure that marketing activities are carried out in a controlled way, and results (and profits!) maximised.

Even if you have been in business for a while without a plan, it’s a good idea to create one.

Whilst marketing plans are often mistakenly perceived as relevant to business life only in the corporate world, they are in fact hugely beneficial to small businesses also. Taking the time and effort to create a marketing plan really is a must for all small business owners. It will make your life a whole lot easier too, I promise!

So what are the key benefits of a marketing plan to your business?

1. Creating a focused & forward-thinking business

Taking the time to build a marketing plan requires you to sit down and really think about the direction that your business is heading in.

You’ll need to give consideration to important questions around where are you now and where do you want to be. How are you going to get there and what resources do you have available? You’ll also need to think about the wider environment – your competitors, customers, and current issues in the world that might impact the marketplace within which you operate.

A very real danger of not having a plan or an awareness of what is happening in the world (and how this might impact your business), is not being able to react successfully when challenges arise or consumer demand changes. There are many examples of failed businesses that have been caught out in this way.

2. Enabling clear decision making

Dedicating time to understanding your business and how it fits within the wider marketplace will enable you to make clear, informed decisions.

Knowledge of your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges that lie ahead will support you in investing funds and resources in the right places. The ability to make controlled, logical decisions will help you drive your business forward with confidence.

3. Integrating long-term planning with short-term implementation

As a small business owner it can sometimes be overwhelming knowing where to start with marketing. What opportunities should you explore? What can you actually afford and what will give you the biggest return on your investment?

Creating a marketing plan allows you to document all your potential marketing options and to stagger them in a controlled way that will help you achieve your business goals. For example, you might not be able to afford a PR campaign in your first year of business, but it is something that you would really like to do. Create a 3 year marketing plan and you can park it as a future activity in year two when you have built up more funds from implementing other less-costly marketing activities.

Integrating long-term planning with short-term implementation will help you to feel more in control and able to rationalise the choices that you make. Unless you are incredibly lucky, no start-up or small business has endless pots of money to invest in marketing – so well-planned, controlled and measurable strategies are essential.

No marketing plan? Expect a bumpy ride

“I don’t have time to write a plan!”  “I don’t need a plan things are going really well just now!” “Marketing plan? I wouldn’t know where to start!”  These are just some of the justifications frequently cited by businesses as reasons for not having a marketing plan. If you want your business to grow, you will need strategic direction and a plan to get there.

I once read a great analogy between marketing plans and a road map. The question raised in the analogy was, ‘You wouldn’t start a long journey without a map, so why would you start a business without a marketing plan?’  This strongly resonated with me and prompted me to write this blog as without a marketing plan, you should expect a bumpy ride with lots of wrong turns and missed opportunities.

A simple plan is better than no plan

You don’t have to create a mammoth document. A simple, well-thought out plan that keeps you on track (and is readily available for you to refer back to) is better than no plan at all. With lots of templates and guides on how to complete a marketing plan freely available online, creating a plan may be easier than you think.

Check out our Resources section to download our 90-Day Calendar. It’s a great template to use to plan out 90 days of marketing activity and really move your business forward. And it’s undated too, so you can start it whenever you like.

Have you got a question on marketing plans? Please get in touch or connect with us on Instagram. We’re here to help you!

The post 3 reasons why your business needs a marketing plan appeared first on Marketing Vision.

Of course. Who doesn’t want to grow their customer base?

Right. But research shows that 80% of your future profits will come from just 20% of your existing customers.

That means that your strongest source of revenue is in fact, likely sitting right under your nose.

And not only that, these customers are easier to engage with because people are far more responsive to brands they’re already familiar with.

Source: www.retentionscience.com

Positive brand experiences drive growth

So, while you should of course keep building your audience – it’s crucial that your marketing strategy also includes a strong brand loyalty component. A targeted plan of actions that keep customers coming back for more and create raving fans who happily spread the word about you.

Think about the last time you were really impressed by a business or brand. You probably went on to buy more from them, and more than likely told friends and family about your positive experience.

To build profitable brand loyalty into your business, you need to consciously cultivate a ‘wow’ factor. Deliver more than you promised and provide additional, unexpected value. Going that extra mile really will keep people coming back and get them talking about you.

And in our current uncertain climate, brand loyalty and word-of-mouth referrals are more important than ever for driving business growth.

Source: www.retentionscience.com

Brand loyalty boosts profitability

So, how can you nurture profitable brand loyalty in your business?

We’ve picked out 11 of our favourite (simple!) tried and tested ways to get you started:

1. Offer outstanding customer service at every touch point, always go that extra mile
2. Regularly chat with your customers on social media – be friendly and engaging
3. Be generous and include free samples of new products with orders
4. Send a personalised, hand-written thank you note
5. Start a reward or loyalty scheme (or friend referral programme)
6. Email existing customers an advance preview of new product/service launches (and maybe a cheeky discount too!)
7. If you’re a service provider, check in with clients to see how they’re getting on – be helpful
8. Ask customers for their opinion on new products/services that you’re developing
9. Tell your customers how their feedback was implemented – people love to feel  involved
10. Provide a surprise upgrade or bonus for free
11. Pop a postcard with a special discount code in with product orders

Brands who are nailing the wow factor

The beauty of being a small business is that you can make up your own rules. You can be agile, flexible and delight customers in unexpected ways that help you build loyalty and stand out from the crowd.

Lots of brands are doing amazing things in this area, but here are three that we think are nailing it right now:

Patch Plants:

Online houseplant delivery business Patch Plants offer a fantastic friend referral programme: Refer a friend, and both of you get a free plant when your friend places their first order (over £50).

This is the icing on the cake when you’ve browsed through their website packed with helpful plant advice, tips and guidance to help you choose the right plants for you. Search categories like ‘Unkillable indoor plants’ are also awesome and add a welcome touch of humour!

A definite 10 out 10 on the customer experience wow factor.

And how did I hear about Patch Plants? Through a friend sharing how brilliant they are on Instagram.

Scrubbingtons:

Foam-tastic kid’s washing products brand Scrubbingtons, never fail to impress.

Not only are their products and customer service outstanding, they also offer a free rewards programme. Customers collect points each time they buy products, these can then be redeemed against future purchases once they reach a certain value. A simple yet effective way to build brand loyalty. And I think quite unexpected for a small business.

‘It’s our way of saying a big “thanks” for being such an outstanding customer!’ Nicely done Scrubbingtons!

Full marks.

Evolve Beauty:

Organic skincare brand Evolve Beauty recently offered customers a super-sized product for the price of a regular one. What a fabulous and timely bonus!

120ml for the price of 60ml on some of their beauty favourites. Such a kind gesture to help their customers enjoy some self-care during this turbulent time.

Evolve Beauty always offer gorgeous products, amazing customer service and prompt delivery. This added generosity fits their brand perfectly.

Top work.

Do you have a brand loyalty question? Perhaps you’re looking to create something unique for your own business. Get in touch – we’re always happy to help.

Want more small business marketing advice? Join our growing Instagram community for our latest news, marketing tips and small business inspiration!

[Blog illustrations by the super-talented and all-round awesome Chloe’s Office].

The post Brand loyalty: 11 simple ways to boost profitability appeared first on Marketing Vision.