Learn about the importance of seeking qualified leads and why B2B contractors should disqualify more!

It’s a New Year and as business owners, we are putting marketing plans into action.

Here’s a friendly reminder to incorporate KPIs!

Key Performance Indicators are simple, measurable goals to help you determine whether or not your communication efforts are actually working…

Let's Chat WHAT you do...It's important for service-based businesses... coaches, consultants, strategists etc. It is soooo important for you to share WHAT you do.I tell clients this and they look at me with a blank stare,"But I make tailored programs for my clients. That's my thing! Sharing what I do is not possible!"

How many people do you know who buy something cold, not knowing what they are actually getting or experiencing?

Many service-based businesses tout outcomes and benefits without sharing the basic "What" you are actually doing with clients.

But if you really think about it, you likely DO the same things every time. Here’s what you might do…

This is Part 1 of 3 of Alyssa’s Marketing Mastermind Series for small and medium-sized businesses.

In this series, brought to you by the Business Advisory Centre Durham, we cover all things marketing from Digital marketing, maximizing SEO, building a sales funnel on your website, networking and social media. I

In this first session, Alyssa shares a step-to-step process to quickly and efficiently build a marketing plan based on your business goals and prioritized tactics.

Spot wasting time and money executing marketing that doesn't work...or worse, you're not sure is working.

Learn a bit more about Founder Alyssa Milot and how The Zen Strategy started.

Building a marketing or communication plan can seem daunting to business owners and sometimes superfluous to sales. However, this process and the tactics/channels you choose are not just about marketing.

This invaluable interaction with your ideal prospect seeks to…

“Stay collected and focused, and avoid unnecessary distractions.

These were strategies used by Alyssa Milot as she handled her business-services consulting firm, while being a busy mom to two toddlers during a pandemic.”

In this article, Alyssa chats about launching a business in the pandemic to tips and brand positioning insights for fellow SMEs.

Let's talk about Chambers of Commerce for marketing and business development...

Local chambers of commerce offer so much value and support for businesses in their communities. It is such a privilege to be partnered with a number of them both in the GTA and Niagara.

It is a great space for large and small organizations alike to network, connect and make a difference!

Now to chat about some additional support, to help get the job done! Your CMO can help oversee the following:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

𝐅𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 (𝐢𝐞. 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫):

Housing many trades connections, they are in charge of ensuring all tradespeople come in on-time and get individual tasks done well. This can be an added expense, but often worth it when doing a “gut job” or “flip”.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Among the many hats a business owner must wear, most commonly…even after delegating A LOT, they are still left wearing the “Marketing Hat”. Sometimes it’s thrown over to the VP of sales or WORSE an intern takes a stab! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Here’s the marketing support you need for growth, with a helpful HOME RENOVATION analogy…cause who doesn’t love a good home reno! 🙌 #HGTV⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

If a BUSINESS PLAN is a blueprint for your operations and P&L⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

THEN a 𝘽𝙍𝘼𝙉𝘿 𝙎𝙏𝙍𝘼𝙏𝙀𝙂𝙔 is the blueprint for your Marketing and Sales!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Your Brand Strategy should be the guide for ALL customer communication. And it goes far beyond a logo and a colour scheme.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

In the same way, structural blueprints guide development so a building will not fall down…

I have been speaking with clients lately about the importance of using goals and measurement to drive action. That's mainly because it is SO important, especially now when very few of us have much money OR time.

Everyone digests content differently. But there are 4 dominant styles.

Maximize your content engagement by taking these into account in ALL your strategic communication, be that e-mails, newsletters, social posts, blog posts, websites or sales pages.  

How well do you really know your ideal prospect? Want to test it out?

Let's Talk Product Positioning...

It's surprising how often service-based, businesses are scared or unsure of how to clearly express what they are actually selling! 😳

Or they can do it, but you might have to endure a 3-hour sales lunch or an extensive discovery call to ever figure it out.

"Branding" and brand positioning are just the hook. Without clearly defined product positioning, you have a hook without the line and sinker.

Website content matters. Duh...this seems like the most obvious thing I could possibly say, so let’s drill down.

Highly effective homepage content can save you a sales call. Turn your marketing team’s outbound leads into warm leads and become an easy referral tool for networking contacts and clients. Because it accurately communicates the value of your services without any verbal explanation needed. It can make the sale for you!

How to Maximize Homepage Content:

Building a strategic marketing plan for a small business does not have to be complicated or expensive.

All development initiatives should begin with your growth goals, this helps to anchor your plans and measure success. Next, get to know your ideal prospect. In detail. All of your messaging should be focused on what value you offer THEM. Finally, what are the top 2-3 ways that you can connect with your ideal prospect directly.

Do those things. Not ALL the things.

Watch Part 1 of my Marketing Planning Mastermind series.

I had the pleasure of joining the podcast Asking The Right Questions to chat all things Sales and Marketing!

We cover:

-Marketing challenges companies are facing these days.

-Insights on how companies can market, sell and service (inbound, outbound, traditional).

-How business owners can achieve their marketing/sales goals and objectives with low to no-cost marketing.

Click the Link to Listen!