Much To Consider When Choosing Your Marketing Supplier(s)
By Adam
November 01, 2010
Small Business & Entrepreneurship
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By Eric Gilboord
As a small business owner/operator, you are likely very good at making your product or providing your service. You may not have much experience, knowledge or even interest in marketing. However, you know you have to do it. In order to thrive or even survive in this ever-changing, highly competitive marketplace, a little action is better than no action.
You can find assistance working with various types of marketing professionals. They come in all shapes and sizes—from experts in websites, SEO, blogs, backlinks, social media and email, to writers, designers, printers and strategists. They operate as individuals, in an alliance of smaller two- and three-person shops, or as multimedia and ad agencies.
Today, more than ever, small businesses need lead generation (finding new customers) and business development (building up current customers) tools. At the small business stage, marketing tools usually take the form of an Internet presence, email, blogs, social media activity, business cards, letterhead, brochures, flyers, newsletters, posters or other advertising.
You can find suppliers to help you with acquiring prospect (potential customers) lists, database development and management, contact management software, lead generation and sales presentation tools, all Internet-related activities, telemarketing, direct marketing, sales training, marketing planning, strategic planning, strategic alliances, and the list goes on.
In the early stages of a small business, it is more likely that you will act as your own Marketing Manager. The alternative is to hire a qualified marketing person as your outsource Marketing Manager. This is similar to hiring an accountant to help with your bookkeeping and banking, or a contractor to help you build an addition onto your home.
1. Determine your needs, either on your own or with the help of a professional. When I meet a new prospect for the first time, I ask the question: How can I help you get what you want? Make sure you know what you want to achieve. Be open to new ideas for reaching this goal.
2. Open your business to a supplier. Don’t make them guess at the information. No one can help you if they do not have the whole picture.
3. Develop a short list of suppliers. Do not rush to work with the first one that sounds like they can help you. Be wary of the "I can do it all myself,” or “I’m selling this particular method today" suppliers. Interview at least three suppliers.
4. Think activities through. Look for the suppliers that ask good questions (see below). If you do not have the answers to their questions, the supplier should help you find them.
5. Clarify the job, and make sure you have an agreement in writing. Every prospect I meet has at least one story of a less than productive experience with marketing, and it is not always the fault of the supplier. Understand your own experience. Be realistic and, above all, be clear on your objectives.
6. Be open to suggestions. After all, you are seeking out the help of a professional who has had more marketing experience than you. They may not know your market as well as you, but they should have some ideas you may not have considered.
7. Work with them at every stage in the development of your marketing tools. Learn as much as you can for the next time and make certain these tools represent your company as accurately as possible.
8. Pay for what you need, when you need it. This is much like working on your home. You might need to paint a room or build an entire addition. Determine what you are going to do, and then hire the best people you can find. Make sure you are comfortable with them and confident in their abilities. Your future depends upon it.
I have lost more sleep than I care to remember because I selected a supplier who did not or could not do what they promised. If your instincts tell you something is wrong—listen. Talk to friends and business associates who have had more marketing experience than you or have developed a similar marketing tool. Call another supplier and discuss the project to get a different perspective. (You should have discussed this job with at least three potential suppliers before making a selection.)
QUESTIONS A SUPPLIER SHOULD ASK
The more information a supplier has, the more effective they can be in helping you reach your goals.
1. What is your real objective (what are you trying to achieve)?
2. What strategy will you employ (how are you planning to do it)?
3. What is your budget?
4. Clarify your target group(s) and be aware that your target group is not everyone. Find out exactly who is buying your product or service. Is it the president or the shipper who makes the real decision?
5. What are your sales objectives? Are they realistic? Do you have the staff to reach these objectives?
6. How does your product or service stand up against the competition? Who is your competition?
7. Why is your product or service different and why should I buy it?
8. Are you open to new ideas?
9. Are you looking for a long- or short-term marketing supplier relationship?
10. What marketing experience or existing materials (for this product/service) do you have?
11. What past marketing successes or failures have you had with the product or service under discussion?
QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD ASK A POTENTIAL SUPPLIER
1. What exactly is your marketing supplier going to do for you?
2. How long will it take?
3. How much will it cost?
4. How do the services offered fit with your total marketing program?
5. What additional services can they provide, either directly or through associated companies?
6. Who will be working with you directly—the person you are meeting with now or someone else?
7. Will there be any additional costs?
8. What if the supplier goes over budget/estimate; are you liable?
9. What do they know about your industry?
10. How much experience have they had in your industry?
11. Do they think your expectations are realistic?
12. Can you see samples of their past work?
13. Can they supply recent references?
14. What type of clients do they specialize in?
15. Do they offer a guarantee?
16. What rebates or discounts do you qualify for?
And That's According 2 Eric
Eric Gilboord is a specialist in making marketing easy for business owners/operators and any staff with sales or marketing responsibility. He demystifies marketing so they can use it to generate sales today and grow their businesses faster. Eric believes in blending traditional marketing with new media/social media. ROI is a must. Eric is a popular speaker, coach, columnist and author of many articles and books on moving a business up to the next level. The Expert Business Calls for Marketing Advice... That's Easy to Understand. For more information, call 416-686-2466. To sign up for his marketing tips newsletter and to read his blog please visit: www.EricGilboord.com.
As a small business owner/operator, you are likely very good at making your product or providing your service. You may not have much experience, knowledge or even interest in marketing. However, you know you have to do it. In order to thrive or even survive in this ever-changing, highly competitive marketplace, a little action is better than no action.
You can find assistance working with various types of marketing professionals. They come in all shapes and sizes—from experts in websites, SEO, blogs, backlinks, social media and email, to writers, designers, printers and strategists. They operate as individuals, in an alliance of smaller two- and three-person shops, or as multimedia and ad agencies.
Today, more than ever, small businesses need lead generation (finding new customers) and business development (building up current customers) tools. At the small business stage, marketing tools usually take the form of an Internet presence, email, blogs, social media activity, business cards, letterhead, brochures, flyers, newsletters, posters or other advertising.
You can find suppliers to help you with acquiring prospect (potential customers) lists, database development and management, contact management software, lead generation and sales presentation tools, all Internet-related activities, telemarketing, direct marketing, sales training, marketing planning, strategic planning, strategic alliances, and the list goes on.
In the early stages of a small business, it is more likely that you will act as your own Marketing Manager. The alternative is to hire a qualified marketing person as your outsource Marketing Manager. This is similar to hiring an accountant to help with your bookkeeping and banking, or a contractor to help you build an addition onto your home.
1. Determine your needs, either on your own or with the help of a professional. When I meet a new prospect for the first time, I ask the question: How can I help you get what you want? Make sure you know what you want to achieve. Be open to new ideas for reaching this goal.
2. Open your business to a supplier. Don’t make them guess at the information. No one can help you if they do not have the whole picture.
3. Develop a short list of suppliers. Do not rush to work with the first one that sounds like they can help you. Be wary of the "I can do it all myself,” or “I’m selling this particular method today" suppliers. Interview at least three suppliers.
4. Think activities through. Look for the suppliers that ask good questions (see below). If you do not have the answers to their questions, the supplier should help you find them.
5. Clarify the job, and make sure you have an agreement in writing. Every prospect I meet has at least one story of a less than productive experience with marketing, and it is not always the fault of the supplier. Understand your own experience. Be realistic and, above all, be clear on your objectives.
6. Be open to suggestions. After all, you are seeking out the help of a professional who has had more marketing experience than you. They may not know your market as well as you, but they should have some ideas you may not have considered.
7. Work with them at every stage in the development of your marketing tools. Learn as much as you can for the next time and make certain these tools represent your company as accurately as possible.
8. Pay for what you need, when you need it. This is much like working on your home. You might need to paint a room or build an entire addition. Determine what you are going to do, and then hire the best people you can find. Make sure you are comfortable with them and confident in their abilities. Your future depends upon it.
I have lost more sleep than I care to remember because I selected a supplier who did not or could not do what they promised. If your instincts tell you something is wrong—listen. Talk to friends and business associates who have had more marketing experience than you or have developed a similar marketing tool. Call another supplier and discuss the project to get a different perspective. (You should have discussed this job with at least three potential suppliers before making a selection.)
QUESTIONS A SUPPLIER SHOULD ASK
The more information a supplier has, the more effective they can be in helping you reach your goals.
1. What is your real objective (what are you trying to achieve)?
2. What strategy will you employ (how are you planning to do it)?
3. What is your budget?
4. Clarify your target group(s) and be aware that your target group is not everyone. Find out exactly who is buying your product or service. Is it the president or the shipper who makes the real decision?
5. What are your sales objectives? Are they realistic? Do you have the staff to reach these objectives?
6. How does your product or service stand up against the competition? Who is your competition?
7. Why is your product or service different and why should I buy it?
8. Are you open to new ideas?
9. Are you looking for a long- or short-term marketing supplier relationship?
10. What marketing experience or existing materials (for this product/service) do you have?
11. What past marketing successes or failures have you had with the product or service under discussion?
QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD ASK A POTENTIAL SUPPLIER
1. What exactly is your marketing supplier going to do for you?
2. How long will it take?
3. How much will it cost?
4. How do the services offered fit with your total marketing program?
5. What additional services can they provide, either directly or through associated companies?
6. Who will be working with you directly—the person you are meeting with now or someone else?
7. Will there be any additional costs?
8. What if the supplier goes over budget/estimate; are you liable?
9. What do they know about your industry?
10. How much experience have they had in your industry?
11. Do they think your expectations are realistic?
12. Can you see samples of their past work?
13. Can they supply recent references?
14. What type of clients do they specialize in?
15. Do they offer a guarantee?
16. What rebates or discounts do you qualify for?
And That's According 2 Eric
Eric Gilboord is a specialist in making marketing easy for business owners/operators and any staff with sales or marketing responsibility. He demystifies marketing so they can use it to generate sales today and grow their businesses faster. Eric believes in blending traditional marketing with new media/social media. ROI is a must. Eric is a popular speaker, coach, columnist and author of many articles and books on moving a business up to the next level. The Expert Business Calls for Marketing Advice... That's Easy to Understand. For more information, call 416-686-2466. To sign up for his marketing tips newsletter and to read his blog please visit: www.EricGilboord.com.