Marketing For a Small Business - How to Learn How to Market More Effectively For Your Business

There are many marketing methods that can be learned very quickly, even if you do not have a marketing background. Here are some ways to get started quickly.

Give your target audience what they want, not what you believe they need. We tend to want to help people by providing them with resources we know will be good for their business, but we must remember that this is just from our perspective. Instead, allow your prospects to tell you exactly what they want and then create products that meet these criteria. You can always include what they need as part of what you prepare. This is sort of like adding fresh fruit to your child's lunch bag; you know what they need and can combine it with what they want.

Focus on the benefits of what you are promoting, rather than the features. I like to use the words 'so that' after each feature my product includes when I am writing my sales copy. For example, if your product or course shows people how to invest their savings, how will that benefit your prospects? You might end up with 'this program will teach you how to invest your savings so that your child's college education will be paid for before they finish high school'. People buy the benefits of what you are selling because it will improve an area of their life.

Try some unique and unconventional marketing methods. If your niche typically markets exclusively online, add some offline components that will get the attention of your prospects. Pick up the phone and speak to someone as soon as their order comes through. These techniques will set you apart from others in your niche. Think outside of the box and see what works best in your niche.

Write an eBook or short report to give away to new prospects. This gives them a better idea of who you are and what you can do for them. Choose just one aspect of your business to write about, and then share everything you know in this area. This will help you to establish your credibility as you position yourself as an expert.

Create a social media plan. This can include scheduling tweets on Twitter about a promotion you have coming up, creating an event on Facebook where you can invite people to a teleseminars on your topic, and setting up this same event over at LinkedIn. Instead of spending endless hours on these social networking sites, have a plan that will work for the information you wish to share with prospects.

Incorporate video into your marketing plan. We all grew up with television, so this just makes sense. Whether you choose to star in your videos using something as simple as a Flip camera, or decide to narrate the video as you explain what is on your computer screen using a program like Camtasia, give your prospects and clients a way to see what you are doing.

These techniques will be sure to jumpstart your internet business and help you to become a better marketer.