1. Update Your Web Site
If it's been more than two years since you've updated your site, it's time for a fresh look. Update your content so it provides a compelling reason for prospects to contact you. Optimize your site for search engine keywords. Add blogs, testimonials, videos, white papers and other content that will give prospects reasons to choose you over your competition.
2. Market Directly
Don't spend thousands of dollars on advertising that you can't control. If you know your customers and prospects, reach out to them personally and directly. If you don't have a clean database of customers and prospects, build one. Divert advertising dollars to direct marketing via mail or email, and double or triple your response rates.
3. Use Data
Today's most effective marketing plans are driven, at least in part, by some form of data. For internal data, look into CRM systems like those from Salesforce.com and Oracle (or even free ones like Zoho.com) to evaluate activities and ROI. Access outside sources of data such as analyst reports, research from associations, conversations with colleagues, presentations, webinars and reading articles related to marketing or your industry.
Social Media has begun to change the way marketing and business operates. The coming year will see advertising put under the microscope by connected, savvy, and critical consumers. However, the Social Media landscape could change quickly, so stay aware and define your objectives carefully. Figuring out your social media strategy is far more important than immediately enacting a bunch of social media marketing tactics.
5. Dare To Be Different
The economy has changed. Your customers have changed. Your prospects have changed. The way people buy has changed. It’s time to move on and stop complaining about why your old marketing methods aren’t working. You will only know what works for your business by trying, testing and making improvements until it works consistently for you. If it doesn't work, don't use it anymore. If it does work, keep doing it better.