Are you mixing your Marketing ?

When asked what Marketing is, most people would think "Advertising" but in reality Marketing is Much deeper than that.
Marketing is an Activity or function performed by an entity (Person, Business or Organisation) that ultimately persuades someone to purchase (accept offer, make donation, barter etc) a particular service or product.
Marketing has 3 main strategic steps.
1. Planning - We have all heard the cliche "Fail to Plan... Plan to Fail".
2. Implementing - Putting what was planned into action.
3. Evalutaing - Did it work ? What do you need to change ?
The Marketing Mix will usually be 4 Key areas. Often called the 4 P's of Marketing.
Product, Price, Placement (Distribution), Promotion
The way a Marketing Mix is put together will depend on the type of business you operate and whether you are a manufacturer, wholesaler, representative or if you provide an intangible service (For the sake of The Marketing Mix a "Service" is usually classified as a product).
Most people reading this will probably be Independent Representatives of a Network Marketing Company. In many cases your company will have already worked out the most productive marketing mix and have provided adaptable tools for you to duplicate their system. Either way you will still move your product or service through a "micro marketing mix" based on the "macro marketing mix" provided by your company.
As a Representative for a Network Marketing Company you would...
Determine which product you wish to promote - The "Product" in this case may well be the opportunity itself.
Setting a price - If you retail to your own circle of influence, will you provide a retail discount ? Buy 2 get one free, etc. Don't make the mistake of under pricing yourself to rely ONLY on your company bonuses. Your price will also need to take into consideration covering the cost of logistics and handling.
Placing your Products - This could be through a Website, At an Expo, Weekend Market etc. You should place your product in an area that people who use your product frequent.
Promoting your product - As with the placement of your product, you should aim your promotion in an area that gets the most traffic from your niche group.
This can be achieved...
Systematically - By searching for similar products and looking for promotional opportunities at thes locations.
Geographically - Aim your promotion to a particular area. Google adwords is a good start for this.
Demographically - Aim your promotions at a particular market. For example Work at Home Mothers, Mechanics, Pet Shop Owners, 25 year old professionals, etc.
More information on various marketing outlets can be found here   http://www.eric-j-smith.info/
© 2007 Eric J. SmithSocial Bookmarking