Google
The plan is progressive, which means that stuff you set up early will establish routines and systems you’ll use later on. Because of this, the last half of the year will feel repetitive and simple. That’s an intentional part of our design! We want to make things easier for you to run your business seamlessly and efficiently.” SCORE.ORG
March and April’s marketing information has been posted and hopefully some of you have started implementing some of the items on your Action List. The second business quarter of the year is fast approaching and when that ends in June … yep, half the year will be gone!
The month of May, I believe is the most important month when it comes to marketing. So, I want to put more emphasis on this month’s battle-plan. Some of you may think the word, “battle-plan” is too strong of terminology to use, but this plan is not about making money. It’s not even about beating the competition.
This battle-plan is all about “you” establishing your long-term relationship with your customers, clients and prospects. That is why you are reaching out to past customers as well. The battle this month is key to winning the war.
Google
The winner here, in the end, will be determined by the loyalty gained. When the party is over, there are three things you want remembered:
- Who you are (Brand)
- Your why (Mission)
- Why you (Loyalty)
Accomplishing these three things in the month of May leaves you the rest of the year concentrating on building, maintaining and expanding your customer base with a defined plan. Your sense of direction.
The winning formula is:
A sense of direction = confidence = growth in all areas
Your Battleplan for the Month of May – Anything in light blue is what SCORE.org suggested.
Most vacations are still a month away and schools are still in, so until the Memorial Day Holiday, most people will be home. There will be lots of yardwork, picnics, maybe some weekend trips.
But one important day coming up for almost everyone is Mother’s Day. If you are working on your “social media content calendar”, remember that you want to stay ahead and plan your strategy far enough ahead. so that your marketing efforts are successful. Mother’s Day is a good place to start to have your business stand out. Offline and Online.
You want to anticipate what activities your customers are going to be doing. May is a good month for “spring content” such as stories, promotion and sales pertaining to:
Cook-outs
Crock Pot Meals
Parades (Is your hometown having one?)
Ice Cream Socials
Festivals
Local Sports
Graduations
Weddings
“Where do you want to focus? Plan your content, be relevant and timely and schedule your posts”. Create a memorable month of May”
Google
“Contact the charities you researched last month and identify two with whom you want to work with for the rest of the year and find out whether they are willing to work with you.”
If you do participate in a joint charity drive, try to start very early on raising awareness for it. Your message should say, “I care and here is what I am doing about it” The more people that get that message, the more successful your campaign will be. “When the details are worked out, send a press release to your local newspaper. Put it on your website, on social media. Create flyers and put signs up in your business.”
Don’t have a charity partner? Support a local team, a program with the Boys and Girls Club. I always like to work with Senior Citizens. I have sponsored for them:
Auctions
Bingo Nights
Dances
Plays
Bowling
Just contact the Activity Director and they will work with you. If you are looking for new leads and referrals, Seniors are the best kept secret. Satisfy a Senior, they will tell everyone they know
“Invite a few select clients – mostly A and C listers – to your charity event. Connect with each meaningfully when they arrive.”
“Repair all broken links and other problems with your website so it’s professional, simple, and functional.” Let’s add SEO and mobile readiness to that checklist. If these two are not working properly first, then anything you do is nil.
“If you don’t have one in place, now is the time to design your referral program. Use your memory, your employees’ memory, and the mailing list you created to triage existing customers into three categories:
- Sincere thanks for attending
- A request for one item they feel your company could do better on
- Details of your referral program”
Google
For your referral program, you can use discounts, gift cards for your products. Try to have your business tied in some way with your business name or product tied into the giveaway.
Some ideas, men like hats, order some with your business name or both like coffee mugs, t shirts, golf shirts. You don’t have to get expensive but it is an investment and as always check with your CPA, but all should be tax deductible.
If you are a restaurant, most have a coffee club or something like it. Offer the mug for a referral along with free coffee. Not only is it FREE advertisement, but everyone in the club will want one, so a great way to get some referrals.
Let’s talk about referrals for a moment. There are some that cannot hand out discounts or offer giveaways to individuals. If what you do, or represent requires a license, like Insurance for example, find out the do’s and don’ts.
“Send out your monthly newsletter.”
“Send a reminder out about your referral program. If necessary, up the ante with a special bonus for new clients brought in this month.”
This covers the month of May. June will follow soon.
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