Marketing in 2011: Easy as ABC

A: Accept technology. Computers are no longer just for recordkeeping and cell phones for phone calls. Internet based marketing is here to stay and you need it to further your business in 2011.

B: Be consistent in your marketing approach and save yourself time and money.

C: Choose your marketing expenditures carefully and evaluate the sales response to each proposal you consider. (print advertisments v. e-newsletters etc.)

Step "A": Accepting Technology:

Accept the internet! Many on-line marketing schemes are free and easy to use. The internet offers you an immediate means of staying in touch with your customers. A strong relationship with your customers helps to ensure they will buy from you over and over. You can let customers know what you are selling at this week's farmers market, take orders on-line, provide customer testimonials and offer recipes, coupons and gift certificates.

• If you don't have a web site get one
• Market your web site so customers can find you
• If you sell product on-line, accept credit cards (click here to read more about how to do this)
• Start issuing a monthly e-newsletter (use a paid service to ensure compliance with spam laws)
• Learn how to use Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc. and determine which social networking websites are right for you
• Start writing a blog (Blogger, WordPress, etc.)
• Seek out free on-line advertising but only utilize ad sites relevant to your business

What NOT to do:

Don't try to do it all yourself: enlist the help of a family member, or hire an intern. Local college students typically know how to use current internet-based tools, usually need to work and are always building their resumes.

Don't have someone write the content of your blog or e-newsletter. You know your business best and your customer correspondence should be in your voice.

Don't spend a lot of money on a web site until you know what you want and what type of site would work best for your business. For example, selling your product on-line may not be feasible and a simple informational site might be all you need to promote your business.

Don't sign up for unneeded maintenance contracts.

Don't let the unknown territory of technology prevent you from growing your business in new ways.

Coming soon.....more on accepting technology and steps "B" and "C". Stay tuned.