Does Your Marketing Pass This 10-Point Test?

Good marketing, whatever form it takes, always meets certain criteria. That's what makes it good. The following 10-Point checklist will help you determine if your marketing passes the test. I challenge you to evaluate one of your recent ads, promotions or other marketing activities to see how it measures up.

1) Does it focus on the solution or benefit you provide?

Too often ads simply list product or service features. Don't make your prospects work that hard to figure out how your product or service can help them. Tell them straight out.

2) Does it have one, clear message?

What's the ONE message you want to communicate? Make sure it's not buried in too much information or it may not get across.

3) Is it focused on one, specific group of prospects?

Do you know who you are talking (and marketing) to? Make sure your marketing is targeted at one, specific group of prospects - it's the only way to make sure you are addressing their needs.

4) Is it written in language these prospects can relate to?

If you want your message to resonate with your prospects, make sure it speaks to them, both in content and in the tone and language you use.

5) Does it feature your Unique Selling Proposition?

This is the ONE thing that sets you apart from every other product or service your prospect could possible buy to fulfill the same need. It's what's unique, different and valuable about your product or service. It better come across loud and clear in everything you do.

6) Does it have one, compelling point of focus?

Ever see an ad with so many things in it you didn't know where to look first? Your prospects won't know either if you try to cram too much into your ads or promotional materials.

7) Does it accurately communicate your business personality?

Yes, your business has a personality and everything you do should reflect it. You want your prospects to feel like they "know" you. If you change your personality every week, they won't come to know and trust you. And consumer buy from those they know and trust.

8) Does it give prospects more than one reason to respond?

Not everyone is ready to buy, or take the one, primary action you want them to take when they see your ad. Make sure you give them another reason to respond, or they are simply a lost lead.

9) Does it give prospects more than one way to respond?

Make it easy and convenient for prospects to take action. What if you only offer an email or web site address and someone doesn't have computer access, or they're away from their office but they want more information right now? You've lost them. Don't let this happen to you.

10) Do you have a specific objective for the marketing?

If you don't know what your marketing is designed to achieve, then how will you know if it was successful? Always have a plan and an objective for everything you do. That way you can design it to work and measure whether or not it did.

© Copyright 2005 Debbie LaChusa

20-year marketing veteran, consultant, author, teacher and coach Debbie LaChusa has developed The 10stepmarketing System to help small business owners successfully market their business, themselves. To learn more about this simple, step-by-step program and to sign up for her FREE audio class and FREE weekly ezine featuring how-to articles, tips and advice, visit http://www.10stepmarketing.com

---

Promotional Mugs: Become a Part of the Legendary Coffee Experience

When you want someone to like you, associate yourself with... Read More

How To Successfully Launch A New Business Activity

I often talk with business owners who tell me how... Read More

The Power of because...

"Do it!", "Do it now!", or "Do it because..."Which of... Read More

Don?t Put All Of Your Eggs Into One Basket

I vaguely remember a particular story from my childhood. It... Read More

Small Business Marketing Tip - Get Attention and Be Remembered

We live in a world of noise ? not just... Read More

Using a Contact List Profitably- Part Two

Besides a survey, your contact list can be used to... Read More

Recipe for Success

Special event and a special recipe- hand it out on... Read More

Tips For Developing An Effective Questionnaire

Developing the questionnaire is undoubtedly the most important part of... Read More

Marketing Smarter To Earn More

An accountant once told me that he never met anyone... Read More

Deciphering Marketing Lingo: Whats the Difference between a USP, Single Message and a Tagline?

Maybe you've heard these different marketing terms, maybe you haven't.... Read More

5 Tips to Heat Up Your On-Line Marketing Using Off-Line Tactics

The internet of course brings a huge arena of marketing... Read More

Measuring the Return on Your Direct Mail Investment

In direct mail lore, there's a rule stating that you... Read More

Top 10 Benefits of Hiring a Marketing Writer to Write Your Marketing Materials

1. It costs less to delegate to a professional than... Read More

Stretching Your Marketing Dollars--7 Cheap and Easy Ways to Market on a Budget

Just because you have to stretch your marketing dollars doesn't... Read More

Insiders Secret to Selling Mailing Lists

If you've got a mailing list of at least a... Read More

Trapped in Your Comfort Zone? Break Out and Send Your Marketing Skyrocketing

A marketer whose advice I generally respect recently published an... Read More

Your Elevator Speech ? Have You Updated Yours Recently?

Do you have an elevator speech? Does it get people's... Read More

Creating Customer Value

The purpose of business is to create and retain a... Read More

Digital Printing vs. Press Printing ? A Comparison Guide

When it comes time to print your brand identity materials,... Read More

Marketing Strategy - Getting the Marketing Groove

Wouldn't it be great to have a year where your... Read More

Getting More From Your Customer

We are all customers of one product or another. How... Read More

Boost Your Business With Testimonials

When used correctly, testimonials can boost your response dramatically. They... Read More

Marketing Discipline and the Joy of Success

Discipline Is Important.I recently read an article about why discipline... Read More

Direct Mail Postcard Rules

It's a fact that your customers are your best leads.... Read More

Avoid These 5 Web Site Blunders!

The Web is intended to help people find information quickly... Read More