| Coming up with the content of this short article | | | | company? Which are part of your goals for the next |
| originally cost $500,000. And it was worth every | | | | 6 months? Which can you make part of your goals? |
| penny... | | | | If you want top-of-mind awareness so your |
| So don't take it lightly! | | | | customers think of you before your competitors, these |
| If you apply this simple knowledge, it could easily be | | | | are things you'll seriously want to consider. |
| worth twice the original $500,000 to your bottom line | | | | But... Just doing each one independently only has so |
| (or 1,000X if you're ambitious enough). | | | | much power. A notable difference about the way |
| First, a demonstration. | | | | top-of-mind companies do these things is that they do |
| Think of a cough medicine. First one that comes to | | | | them with consistency. |
| mind. | | | | Their consistency comes in three areas: Design, |
| NyQuil? | | | | Message, and Timing. |
| What about an American car company? | | | | Design. This one is easy. Make sure everything from |
| Ford? | | | | your website to your customer literature to your |
| A soft drink company? | | | | business cards to your direct mail pieces have a similar |
| Coca-Cola? | | | | look and feel. Do not do these things completely |
| Pizza delivery? | | | | independently from each other. Make sure you use the |
| Dominoes? | | | | same graphics and templates to ensure that your |
| I'll bet your answer was the same that I gave on 3 out | | | | image is consistent in customers' and prospects' minds. |
| of 4. | | | | Message. This one is a little more difficult. You want to |
| That's the power of top-of-mind awareness. | | | | make sure everything you do reflects your core |
| These companies dominate their markets, because | | | | message, your Unique Selling Proposition (USP). For a |
| when their customers and potential customers need a | | | | very thorough and complete set of instructions on how |
| solution that they provide, their name comes up first. | | | | to develop and implement your company's USP, go to |
| Sure, not everyone chooses them. But many - if not | | | | this page I wrote: Resource: Create a Unique Selling |
| most - do. So their sales soar. | | | | Proposition to Differentiate your Business and Increase |
| Not too long ago, there was a company that was | | | | Profits. That gives you everything you need to know - |
| determined to find out what was consistent between | | | | and is an invaluable resource. |
| companies that had top-of-mind awareness. As you | | | | Timing. This one just requires some organization and |
| can imagine, if you know what systems these | | | | dedication. You need to set up systems within your |
| companies use to gain that level of awareness, you | | | | business to make sure you're touching on each of the |
| can duplicate those systems in your company and | | | | "6 Musts of Marketing for Top-of-Mind Awareness" on |
| your sales increases will be practically guaranteed. | | | | a regular basis - weekly, monthly, bi-monthly. Whatever |
| So they did their research - about $500,000 worth of it | | | | is appropriate to your business. But do it, and do it |
| - and here's what they came up with. | | | | regularly. Because repetition will make it more |
| These are the "6 Musts of Marketing for Top-of-Mind | | | | successful than trying each thing once or just doing it |
| Awareness." | | | | when you "remember." |
| 1. Personal Contact with customers | | | | So here's what to do today - set up a goal. Do it. If |
| 2. Company Literature describing products and | | | | you have 3 of the 6, start by implementing a 4th. If you |
| services | | | | have 2, do a 3rd. If you have 5, do the 6th. But always |
| 3. An ongoing Public Relations program | | | | be moving forward. And keep in your sights the goal |
| 4. Consistent and ongoing Customer Education | | | | that you'll be doing all 6 within a set length of time. |
| 5. Consistent and ongoing Advertising | | | | Then you can experience the real benefit of |
| 6. Regular use of Direct Marketing | | | | top-of-mind awareness in your industry. |
| How many of these have you implemented in your | | | | |