The WebSiteMarketingPlan.com Network News
 
(Privacy: We don't share your individual information)

Hello Folks -

This month's theme is the importance of strategic marketing, whether your business is offline, online or a combination of the two. Smart marketing is something that can make or break a business. Yet, marketing is frequently one of the first budget cuts when profit or sales are down, and often non-existent in small businesses.

Today's articles -- my "Invest in Marketing Programs" and "Guide to a Profitable Marketing Mix," plus Sharon Housley's "Short Term Versus Long Term Marketing Efforts" -- all explain the importance of marketing strategy, each from a different angle.

On a similar note, the American Marketing Association (AMA) will be sponsoring a Strategic Marketing Conference in Chicago, May 21st through 23rd, 2006. Legendary Marketing/Branding experts Jack Trout and Robert Passikoff are Co-Chairing the event. If you are responsible for marketing in your organization, consider attending. There is a reduced rate for AMA members.

Enjoy!

Bobette Kyle

P.S. "Marketing Strategy Thoughts" is the blog where I (sporadically) post marketing/management-related thoughts throughout the month: http://www.websitemarketingplan.com/strategy

P.P.S. For a quick and easy way to search all articles on the site, go to the Website Marketing Plan .com directory: http://www.websitemarketingplan.com/directory

Haven't found what you want? Search below.

Some businesses tend to look at marketing as an expense that takes profit away from the company -- as a luxury item to "splurge" on when they have the money -- but not a necessity. This approach is short sighted. Marketing is an investment that increases profit and improves business value over time. The article explains.

Sharon explains about combining short and long term *online* marketing strategies:

In order to create consistent sales cycles and a positive growth trend, businesses usually engage in both short and long term marketing efforts. Short-term marketing efforts tend to cause sudden sales spikes, which rarely last. These sharp sales increases are usually the result of a targeted marketing campaign or time limited offer. While short-term marketing produces sales, long-term marketing efforts must be mixed in to sustain sales. The article gives examples of online programs for both.

Here, I give traditional marketing examples of long term and short term strategies:

Including both short term and long term strategies in the marketing mix can make for a more profitable business.

Long term strategies build brand/company awareness and give sales revenue a permanent, gradual boost. Short term strategies create a temporary, immediate revenue boost by giving buyers an incentive to purchase.

By implementing both long and short term strategies, you can attend to immediate sales goals while building your business reputation and goodwill. Article includes examples of both types of strategies.

Moving Marketing Out of Crisis Mode: New Answers in a World of Competition

May 21-23, 2006
The Fairmont Hotel
Chicago, IL

This strategic conference will provide answers to ongoing challenges we all face as marketers. Among the seminars and tutorials:
- Basic Strategic Planning (Diane Schmalensee)
- Why is Strategy Missing in Action? (Jack Trout)
- The 4P’s are Commodities; The 2E’s (Emotion and Engagement)
Differentiate (Dr. Robert Passikoff)
- Marketing is Too Important To Be Left To Just The
Marketing People (Bob Waldron)

AMA Member, $745
Non-Member, $1020

You are on the list under email address ${recipient}

Those joining before October 21, 2002 were added when we received a single request. Those joining on October 22, 2002 and later completed a two-step process to be added to the newsletter list.

If you would like to be added to the list, first send an email to: subscribe @ websitemarketingplan.com
When you receive the confirmation email, please activate your subscription according to the directions.

If you are a member of this newsletter's list and no longer wish to be, please ask to be removed. Do this by:
1) clicking the Topica Email Publisher link at the bottom of your emailed newsletter, checking the "unsubscribe" button in your profile, and saving the change or
2) sending an email to:
unsubscribe @ websitemarketingplan.com

Postal mail may be addressed to Web Marketing Place, 8050 Watson Road, Suite 315, St. Louis, MO 63119

Copyright 2002 - 2006 Web Marketing Place, Bobette Kyle. All rights reserved.