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Marketing

5 Marketing Mistakes Entrepreneurs Make That Can Damage Business

5 Marketing Mistakes Entrepreneurs Make that can Damage Business
5 Marketing Mistakes Entrepreneurs Make that can Damage Business

Entrepreneurship is not easy, especially when it comes to making a marketing strategy for your startup business. Entrepreneurs learn new things by analyzing the market trend and what works for their brand. Despite, all the analysis and statistics, they tend to make mistakes.

Many mistakes most of the time that looks massive, end up being temporary setbacks. However, some mistakes may prove fatal for a startup business plan. These mistakes arise only when entrepreneurs exhibit a fundamental misunderstanding of best marketing practices. So if you are an entrepreneur and looking to avoid marketing mistakes that you must avoid, here is a list:

1. IGNORING THE BRAND

Your brand serves as the foundation of your business identity. It acts as a connecting link between your small startup business and your customers. Hence, if you try to market your business without a brand, you might have to taste the dust.

When people see your logo, your tagline, or pick up on your brand`s tone, they will form an opinion about your brand. This is the connection that is necessary for a business to thrive. Without it, your business is just floating in free space without any recognition and association.

So never market your business without brand building. The more connections you build the more familiar your customers will become with your brand.

2. MARKETING TO EVERYONE

One of the biggest mistakes that entrepreneurs can make is not being aware of their target customers. For instance, not everyone loves Apple IPhones and there could be multiple reasons like budget, operating system, interface, or restrictions.

Hence, it is very important to choose your market niche carefully and not market your product to everybody. Many entrepreneurs think that “everybody” is the largest possible audience, and so it offers the largest possible return. But the truth is far from this notion. A generic brand message has the least recall value.

So to stand out, you have to be unique when it comes to marketing, just like your startup business idea. Create specifically crafted messages for one segment of your customers at a time.

3. PRESUMPTIONS ABOUT AN AUDIENCE

Making presumptions can be disastrous when it comes to potential customers. There are some marketers who very well understand that every customer is unique and hence, they should craft messages by keeping a specific audience in mind. Still, they don`t do it effectively!

Instead of relying on data and statistics, they rather make broad assumptions about their target audience. This can be detrimental for any business, especially for a startup business that is struggling to enter the market. Every entrepreneur needs to ask this question to themselves. If they are making their market decisions because of the way you think things work, or because of the way things work in practical work?

4. INVESTING LITTLE OR TOO MUCH

Successful investment in marketing is similar to putting salt in a dish- both demand a careful balance! Investing too much money at the beginning of the startup can be a waste of money because you might not know your target audience very well. You don`t know which platforms are more suitable for your business and what works best for your brand.

On the other hand, if you are investing too little, it will not yield desired results and you might not be able to acquire new customers.

5. FAILING TO EXPERIMENT

Innovate or Die- this phrase defines marketing in the best possible way. If you are not experimenting, you can`t improve. And marketing is not a point-and-shoot game. It is a game of setting and resetting expectations, getting closer, but never reaching set parameters.

Watch how NOKIA lost its grip on the market and failed as a mobile giant in this video:

Hence, the only way to craft a perfect marketing strategy for your startup business is to try new things and being bold with your strategies, and see which ones work and which ones fail.

The above marketing strategies should be avoided when trying to establish a brand presence for a startup business. These mistakes are not only damaging for new entrepreneurs, but they are also some of the most common. The good news is that if you catch these mistakes early, you can up your marketing game.

If you want to know how to craft marketing strategies for your business, you can take our business coaching program.

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Startup

5 Smart Tips To Create Successful Moment Marketing For Startups!

5 Smart Tips To Create Successful Moment Marketing For Startups!
5 Smart Tips To Create Successful Moment Marketing For Startups!

We can never forget the moment when during a press conference Cristiano Ronaldo moved aside Coca-Cola bottles. While this one small action resulted in the reduced valuation of the famous brand overnight, many other brands made the most out of this opportune moment to score a creative goal.

A lot of creative memes were captured on the screen followed by several famous brands like Fevicol hijacking the event to connect with their customers. The idea was simple- custom-fit the controversy according to their brand, to market themselves, appeal to their clients, and rope in new ones. This was a moment of marketing that was used by all popular brands across the globe and equally works for small start businesses.

 So what exactly is this concept of Moment Marketing that has become all the rage?

Moment Marketing is an awesome technique that utilizes the ongoing viral event without having to pay for it. Though many people assume that it is a new thing, they are completely mistaken. The Utterly Butterly Amul girl has been hijacking the ongoing events for decades. The creative and witty liners have been received well and enjoyed by the audiences as well.

If you are an entrepreneur, who is looking to hijack a viral moment for your brand presence to reach more audience, here are 5 tips to ace it:

1. Stay Updated with the Trends & Keep Your Product in the Centre

One of the most crucial aspects of Moment Marketing is to stay updated with the viral trends. It helps you to recreate the viral moments and this connectedness helps you to spot trends and stay upgraded with the important news.

While you may be already attuned to the growing trends on social media, you still might have to keep an eye out for those trends that can be utilized as a part of moment marketing for your brand.

Another thing that should be kept in mind while crafting a marketing strategy is to link it smartly back to your product. It will help to create brand awareness and accomplish the ultimate goal of improving sales and customers.

2. Incorporate Humor

Humor is the best way to put across your brand message on the internet and bring a smile to your customer`s face. Irrespective of the trends, brands that manage to capture viral trends with a funny jab on them are usually rewarded with high audience engagement, increased followers, or even paid media mentions.

Brands like Burger King, Amul, Zomato, and IKEA understand the power of humor and hence utilize it to take on current topics. If you are an entrepreneur with a small startup business, you can follow their page to realize that this approach works well for them.

3. Pop Culture All the Way

Can we ever forget the evergreen superhero movies or memes that have funny references from Gangs of Wasseypur? Pop culture references are the best way to grab your customers` attention. Your brand can create posts that have a feel of an inside joke using your brand`s voice while sharing your brand`s ethos and subtly building affinity without your target audience.

If you have a startup business, you can use this trend to increase your brand awareness on Social Media Platforms.

4. Maintain your Brand`s True Voice Without Being Pushy

Marketing strategies that appear effortless work like a breeze. There is a fine line between effortless moments marketing and marketing that appears to be a desperate attempt by a brand to look cool. Always ensure that your efforts don`t fall into the latter category by keeping your brand`s core values at the forefront of all your moment marketing activities.

5. Choose Trends Wisely

Not every customer is a potential customer. Similarly, not every trend is meant for your brand. Not every incident, or event needs to resonate with your brand`s personality. Neither should you try and insert your brand into every trending topic out there.

When a trend talks about controversial issues like politics, religious sentiments, wars, or any other sensitive issues, it is best to keep a distance as you would not want your brand to be associated with something which is remotely offensive. You can also watch video-based on Moment Marketing, here:

Moment marketing for brands is a fun way to engage with your customers. And while Ronaldo or Zomato may provide the push to set the marketing ball rolling, it is the quick, witty, and collaborative thinking that results in successful moment marketing. Try our helpful tips mentioned above while preparing a solid marketing campaign.

To learn more about marketing, you can take our online Problem Solving Course that is designed for specific business problems.

Categories
Startup

Top 11 Content Formats To Ace The Art Of Content Marketing for Startups!

Top 11 Content Formats to Ace the Art of Content Marketing for Startups!
Top 11 Content Formats to Ace the Art of Content Marketing for Startups!

‘Content marketing’- today we are going to talk about this one large umbrella that is solely responsible for the strong brand building of many popular brands. In this digital age where everyone is posting minute-by-minute updates of their daily lives, content marketing presents incredible opportunities for not only large but also small startup businesses.

Gone are the days, when businesses had to hire an individual to distribute the pamphlets to reach out to their target audience. Today, thanks to the internet and intelligent algorithms of social media platforms, you can reach out to your potential customers without any hassles.

What is Content and what makes it different from Content Marketing?

If you look at the broader aspect, everything and anything available on the internet is content. In general, content is anything that expresses thoughts, emotions, information, or experiences through visuals, audio, or written form.

This article that you are reading right now is also content, and so are the 95 million photographs that are uploaded on Instagram and videos on YouTube. It simply means that the internet is built with the content and everyone creates it all the time.

But the confusion arises here. A lot of content these days is intended to market a brand…but that does not mean that the brand is doing content marketing.

Here`s why.

The above examples were of content, whereas content marketing is a strategic approach that emphasizes the creation and delivery of valuable content and aims to attract, retain and convert a clearly defined audience.

Content Marketing strategically provides solutions to problems that either your customers or your business have. Some of the best examples abound:

  • A fitness brand that creates a community and encourages its customers to share knowledge.
  • A home décor retailer that distributes a monthly magazine on minimalism and good housekeeping practices.
  • A travel company that creates a thrilling website to showcase the experiences it offers.

You are doing content marketing if your content is doing the following:

1. Puts your audience first.

2. Focuses on a solution to a problem or links back to a business goal.

3. Attracts reader to your destination.

4. Gets published continuously.

5. You identify what is performing well, and where you need to improve your data.

We are sure that by now, you must have understood the difference between content and content marketing and its significance in the business world. High-performing content is central to your content marketing, but the way you curate and craft it can have a great impact on your marketing strategy.

So how can you master the art of Content Marketing?

Master these 11 types of content and you can catch up to this amazing marketing strategy:

1. Blogs

Blogging is not a new concept. And whether you are a business coach in India or have an entrepreneur with a small startup business blogging is helpful. However, it has evolved a lot since its conception. Make sure that your blogs are optimized for SEO because they can help you to boost your page ranks. Do provide call-to-action and consider opening up comments for further engagement.

2. Case Studies

Many entrepreneurs think that case studies are useful only for business coaches and business consulting firms in India. But, the truth is that it is an amazing way to take your customers on a journey that showcases solutions to their burning problems. Illustrate your expertise now!

3. eBooks

Combined with a magnetizing title and excellent content, eBooks make for great lead magnets.

4. Emails

Those who say that emails are long gone are not aware of the power of email marketing . Write direct, gripping and concise copy that contains information useful for your readers. They can not only help you to convert prospective customers into loyal clients but also helps to build long-lasting relationships as well.

5. Headlines

Let your readers know exactly what they are getting through compelling headlines. Avoid sounding desperate and spammy!

6. Meta Titles & Descriptions

Thing from the perspective of your customers and let them know the answers they are looking for right now.

7. Product Descriptions

Don`t describe the features of your products. Instead, elaborate on how it will benefit your customers. Nobody wants to know about the technology, but the convenience and experience that a product will bring in a customer`s life.

8. Social Media Posts

Put your customer at the center and create an experience that focuses on engagement. Social media posts help to connect the audience with your small startup business brand.

9. Video Scripts

Tell your brand`s story with great excitement. Include the script on the text page to make content more accessible. It will also help to boost SEO.

10. Web Content

Make vital information or helpful information prominent, include CTA, and use high-quality images to create a powerful message.

11. White Papers

Dwell deeper into the relevant topics. Provide in-depth knowledge that your target audience can apply to their problems in life.

Content marketing is a powerful tool that can create a positive and strong brand presence online. We are sure that you must have realized the difference between content and content marketing. So ace the 11 types of content to become the master of Content Marketing.

To understand a deeper perspective regarding this topic, you can take our Business Coaching Program.

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Business motivation News

Amazon India Announces Small Business Days 2021 To Help Small Sellers To Bounce Back!

Amazon India Announces Small Business Days 2021 To Help Small Sellers To Bounce Back
Amazon India Announces Small Business Days 2021 To Help Small Sellers

In a bid to aid small sellers to bounce back from the financial losses that were induced by the pandemic second wave of COVID-19, Amazon India announced that the company host Amazon Small Business Days (SBD) that will begin from midnight on July 2, 2021, until 11:59 pm on July 4, 2021.

“As India tries to get back on track post the impact of the COVID-19 second wave, we are prioritizing our efforts to help small businesses bounce back from the economic disruption. Towards this, we are hosting Amazon Small Business Days, to help generate customer demand for offerings from small sellers on the Amazon India marketplace thus helping them to get their business back on track,” said Pranav Bhasin, Director, MSME & Selling Partner Experience, Amazon India.

During the three-day sale event, customers will have the opportunity to discover and purchase as well as enjoy deals and offer on products across categories including monsoon essentials, immunity boosters, regional handicrafts, at-home fitness supplies, etc. among many more from the special themed stores on the marketplace.

Whether customers are looking to purchase Work from Home essentials, comfort food or heritage handloom weaves straight from regional weavers, Small Business Days will have the widest selection on offer for everyone. Customers can save more with a cashback offer of up to 10% powered by A-pay and on other forms of digital payments for purchases made from participating small businesses.

Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways; Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Government of India, said, “MSMEs are the backbone of our economy, contributing to nearly 30% of the country’s GDP and half of its exports. Around 6 crore MSME units across the country employ over 11 crore persons.”

“MSMEs contribute significantly to the socio-economic growth of the country by fostering entrepreneurship and generating large employment opportunities. I believe that technology will play a key role in the success of MSMEs, and in increasing the contribution of MSMEs’ share to the country’s GDP. It is important to accelerate the growth of MSMEs especially after the disruptions caused by COVID-19 and I congratulate Amazon for hosting Small Business Day to help generate customer demand for their products and revive livelihoods of lakhs of MSMEs in the country”, he added.

“Customers will be able to discover thousands of unique products from local shops, women entrepreneurs, start-ups, emerging brands, artisans, and weavers, at a great value, making their shopping experience enjoyable,” added Pranav Bhasin.

Small Business Days 2021 is a sale event part of Amazon India’s efforts to minimize the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sellers. Over the past few months, with the onset of the second wave of the pandemic in India, Amazon has taken a host of measures to help sellers including a variety of fee waivers, relaxation of policies on reimbursements and performance metrics, and more.

Amazon is also providing vaccination support to its sellers and their dependents. In addition, Amazon has also enabled an ‘on-demand disbursement’ feature that enables sellers to get their disbursements daily to help sellers navigate the economic challenges during these challenging times.

Categories
Startup

Makeup Artist Business: Here Are 4 Things Which You Need to Remember If You Want to Establish Your Makeup Artist Career

Makeup artist
Makeup artist business (Photo Credits: Needpix)

Mumbai, November 26: The beauty industry is constantly growing and evolving. Every day new trends are emerging, and therefore, this is an extremely exciting space for those who want to establish a career in becoming a makeup artist.

There are certain things which need to be remembered if you want to establish yourself as a makeup artist.

Make a business plan: Chalk out a business plan, where you will have to ask yourself who will be your customers and the what kind of makeup services you will provide. At this stage, also assess the budget and the expenses that you will have to make in order to establish the business.

Learn good make up: Remember, it is a very competitive field and thanks to several tutorials available online, consumers today are well-informed of the latest trend. It is very important to hone your skills.

Marketing: In today’s age and day, the majority of your customers will find you on social media. So it is very important to be present on all the platforms where your competition is there. Highlight your skills and market it well.

Create a relationship with your customers: Makeup business is about creating a bond with your customers. It is very important to make them satisfied with your service. Post which, they will share it on social media and share their experience with their followers on the online forum. Make them feel special, add something extra and customise as per their requirement.

 

Categories
Startup

3 Social Media Strategies Which Small Firms Can Use to Revive Their Business Amid COVID-19 Outbreak

Social media Marketing
Social media Marketing (Photo Credits: Wikimedia Commons)

Mumbai, November 10: The coronavirus pandemic has affected everyone across the globe and small businesses are the worst hit. Businesses have been severely affected due to the coronavirus induced lockdown. However, with the opening up of the economy, things are getting better.

Small firms, therefore, need to draw out a proper plan and a strategy which will help them move forward and tide through the difficult times. They will have to keep in mind to use the resources in hand wisely and devise strategies which will reap the maximum results.

We bring to you three cost-effective social media strategies which you can use to revive your business:

The coronavirus pandemic has taught us the importance of technology. At a time when the entire world was shut down, it was technology which kept things running.

  1. Have a website: Start a website giving details to the customers about your business. There should be a contact us and a feedback page, which will help you get in touch with your probable customers. Now use this link on all your social media handles. This will be the face of your brand in the online world.
  2. Have a strong social media presence: If you have been thinking to start a Facebook page or an Instagram page for your business, our advice is DON’T DELAY. These social media platforms are a great way for small firms to promote their business and get in touch with people who are looking out for them.

    In today’s age, you need to start a page on all the social media platforms and can’t think of which one will be more beneficial to you. Remember to populate your page at least three times a week. This will help your customers to remember you.

  3. Be Human: Remember one thing that customers like to interact with humans. So your posts should also have a humanely touch. Don’t ignore any queries from your customers on your social media page. Attention should be given on how to make your customers feel special.

Today social media has become an important part of all our lives, and this is the reason, why you can’t afford to ignore this space. People today spend a good amount of their time on social media and this is where you need to target your probable customers.

Categories
Startup

Opening a Restaurant Amid COVID-19 Pandemic? Here Are 4 Tips Which Eatery Businesses Can Follow to See Success

Restaurants
Restaurants (Photo Credits: Pixabay)

Mumbai, October 27: The coronavirus pandemic affected everyone, from businesses being shut to people being fired. Now with the economy opening up, and several curbs being lifted, restaurants along with other eateries have started their operations, but at a slow pace.

With the coronavirus rapidly spreading across the world and cases still on the rise, restaurants may need to hold on a little more before resuming operations like before.

Here are a few tips which restaurants can follow to see success in their business: 

Maintain Hygiene: The first and foremost thing is to maintain hygiene. Customers always like to take their meals or have a good dinner at a place which is clean and gives attention to hygiene. This has become extremely important amid the coronavirus pandemic, where people are extremely sceptical of trusting anyone who scores low on this point.

Customer is king: Like any business, restaurants also thrive on customers. It is therefore very important to keep them at the centre of your planning and strategy. Be polite, hospitable and make them feel special. Invest your time and effort on your guests. Give them special offers on their birthdays, anniversary and other days.

Be online: If your business is not yet online, it is time, you should rethink and make a strategy on how to go online. With the increase in online food delivery apps and the rise among people ordering food from their home, you will lose out on a major chunk of the customers if your presence is not on the online platforms.

Be Active on digital: As a restaurant, it is very important to be active on the digital platform. You need to always keep updating your customer base about exciting offers and lure them with attractive food pictures.