The Top 10 Marketing Tips of All Time

With more than a decade of experience in marketing, ranking from pay-per-click to direct mail, I’ve seen a lot of failures and far more successes when it comes to marketing.
Today, the art of marketing is far more complex than it once was. However, many of the same basic principles still apply. Too often, professional marketers and small business owners overlook the basic techniques that have separated successful campaigns from those that never turn a profit. Here is my all time list of effective marketing tips.
Know your audience. Successful campaigns get that way because marketers know their audience. They fully understand their needs, how to help meet those needs and how to create demand. Knowing and understanding your audience through proper market segmentation means a well targeted campaign that generates a profitable return.
Focus on the offer. A marketing offer is the driving force of marketing promotions that drive results. In fact, market testing has proven that the offer is the most significant criterion for conversion. Focus on your offer if you want to be successful.
Split test. Never ever run a campaign without testing something. One of the most common is a split test which allows you to simultaneously test two versions of something. It can be a web page, post card, or email. Split testing is essential for improving performance.
Never work alone. The most creative ideas come from working with other creative people. Don’t feel like you need to have all the answers or great ideas. You may start with an idea, but an open dialog with creative individuals will make it better.
Don’t sell on price. I’ve seen so many marketers fail because they sell on price alone. This leads to a discounting war, lower profitability, and often bankruptcy. Rather, focus on creating so much value that the perception of price becomes insignificant.
Consistent messaging. Consider the entire user experience before you launch a campaign. From email to website to offer, is the prospect having a consistent user experience? If they are, your campaigns stand above 98% of others.
Create value after the sale. As marketers, it’s our job to understand our market segment and build relationships, not dump people off at the front door of our store and walk away. Focus as much of your energy on building relationships with customers as you do prospects.
Test. Test. Test. In addition to split testing, you should consider multiple forms of testing in each marketing discipline. For direct mail, test headlines, offers, copy, time of direct mail drop, etc. Consider testing a life long mission.
Integrated Marketing Works Best. You can’t rely on one form of marketing to carry you to success. It’s okay to generate most of your leads or sales through PPC marketing if you will but what happens when that dries out? Use multiple media sources to meet your goals.
Nothing can replace experience. You can run out and hire all of the best consultants in the world, but you still have to do the work. Nothing can replace actual experience. It will make you a stronger marketer and more successful in the long term.
Apply these helpful marketing tips if you want to be truly successful. These techniques and tips are applied by successful marketers on a daily basis. The result is an ever growing success rate of marketing success.

Where Marketing Goes Wrong

With the right planning, executing on an effective marketing campaign is easy. However, getting things right at the point of interaction with a prospective customer is where it all happens.

Not too long ago I was traveling and decided to run into a coffee shop. Upon entering, I noticed there weren't a lot of people there so I went right up to the cashier and ordered my coffee. She was miserable. No "hello", no "smile", nothing.

Imagine being the marketing guy (or gal) for this coffee shop. You could do everything right and then lose business because of a depressed cashier! I for one have not interest in going back to that place.

Yet this happens all the time. Prospective customers visit retailers only to have a bad experience. Or they buy products that under perform. Worse yet, they reach out for help only to speak to an unhelpful representative or call center where you can barely hear the customer service rep.

Marketing is more than running a direct mail campaign, its the whole package. If you want to take your marketing up a notch, think about the whole user experience. From first touch to repeat purchase, marketing needs to be involved with the entire purchase decision process and then some.

This week, take a closer look at your process from start to finish. It's always best to see things from a customers perspective. You may just find some opportunities for improvement!

Marketing Tips - Ten Tips To Communicate With Force

Here are ten tips to get your message across effectively to your target audience.

• Optimize your presentation of facts.

• Choose your words carefully.

• Build rapport with an informal tone.

• Use rapport to strengthen acceptance.

• Be persuasive with credibility and clarity.

• Pay attention to pronoun use.

• Maximize your opener.

• Know your audience and how to reach it.

• Influence reader receptivity through strategic word choice.

• Add potency with powerful adjectives.

(Taken from the DMA insider, "Cutting Edge Creative.")

The Top 50 Marketing Blogs To Watch

Search Marketing Blogs

1) Search Engine Land URL: http://searchengineland.com/ Editor: Danny Sullivan Search Engine Land brings you the latest information about all things search marketing. From SEM to optimization to how search engines work, Danny Sullivan and his team have it covered. 2) Search Engine Roundtable URL: http://www.seroundtable.com/ Editor: Barry Schwartz A rotating roster of authors takes you through some of the most interesting and talked about threads in Search Engine Marketing forums. They scan the forums on a daily basis to bring out some of the most anticipated trends and topics dealing with search marketing. 3) SEOmoz Blog URL: http://www.seomoz.org/blog Editor: Rand Fishkin Based out of Seattle , WA , SEOmoz staff brings you news, tips, and highlights from the Search Marketing industry. They cover everything from the players you need to know to technical issues to the events you should be at. 4) TopRank Online Marketing Blog URL: http://www.toprankblog.com/ Editor: Lee Odden Lee Odden is the CEO of TopRank Online Marketing, a search marketing agency whose blog offers news, resources, and interviews on search marketing and online public relations. 5) JenSense URL: http://www.jensense.com/ Editor: Jennifer Slegg SEM consultant Jennifer Slegg gives you insider information for Google AdWords, AdSense and Yahoo Publisher Network. Her blog is also filled with interviews and case studies relating to SEM.

Online Marketing Blogs

6) Pronet Advertising URL: http://www.pronetadvertising.com/ Editor: Neil Patel A Californian of British origin, Neil Patel blogs about his personal experience with online marketing. He'll even give you the inside scoop on the likes of Facebook and Youtube. 7) Copyblogger URL: http://www.copyblogger.com/ Editor: Brian Clark It's often overlooked, but Clark knows that effective copywriting skills can make the difference between an online marketing campaign that bombs or soars. He's here to help you out. 8) Internet Marketing News URL: http://www.marketingpilgrim.com/ Editor: Andy Beal From breaking industry news stories to in-depth analyses of online marketing trends, Andy Beal has been blogging as the Marketing Pilgrim since 2005. 9) MarketingVOX URL: http://www.marketingvox.com/ Editor: Angela Natividad Geared towards marketers and media professionals, MarketingVox highlights the latest industry trends and news. They go beyond segmentation and markets to look at the big picture of things. 10) B.L. Ochman's Weblog URL: http://www.whatsnextblog.com/ Editor: B.L. Ochman Blogger and social media consultant to Fortune 500 companies, B.L. Ochman is the woman behind the whatsnextblog, a blog that looks at online marketing strategy and social media trends.

Affiliate Marketing Blogs

11) ProBlogger URL: http://www.problogger.net/ Editor: Darren Rowse Once a hobby blogger, Rowse now offers a comprehensive site aimed at helping others learn how to make money online. His blog covers everything from affiliate marketing to other potential income generating streams. 12) Niche Marketing – Andy Beard URL: http://andybeard.eu/ Editor: Andy Beard Andy Beard blogs on everything from Wordpress to niche marketing to affiliate marketing tips, and never without “loads of attitude.” 13) Affiliate Watcher URL: http://www.affiliatewatcher.com/ Editor: Don Lawson For affiliate programs, affiliate program reviews, and everything affiliate marketing, Don Lawson's blog Affiliate Watcher is the place to go. 14) eMoms at Home URL: http://emomsathome.com/ Editor: Wendy Piersall After leaving her job, the original eMom at Home decided to start this blog to help others in their quest to master affiliate marketing. Now, Piersall is dedicated to helping others earn an income from home. 15) Marketing Ideas Online – Jim Kukral URL: http://www.jimkukral.com/ Editor: Jim Kukral If you want to know how to make money online, then Jim Kukral's blog should be one of your stops. He covers not only affiliate programs, but also events and strategy, and laces his site with handy videos.

Small Business Marketing Blogs

16) Duct Tape Marketing Blog URL: http://www.ducttapemarketing.com/blog/ Editor: John Jantsch The award-winning John Jantsch offers his astoundingly practical advice, tips and tricks for small business marketing. 17) Seth Godin's Blog URL: http://sethgodin.typepad.com/ Editor: Seth Godin One of the most famous names in the industry, Seth Godin's blog has long been a favourite for all things small business marketing. As the author of the most popular ebook ever, his blog never fails to give you advice you need. 18) Instigator Blog URL: http://www.instigatorblog.com/ Editor: Benjamin Yoskovitz An entrepreneur for over ten years, Benjamin Yoskovitz uses his special brand of humour to discuss issues relating to better business, marketing and technology. 19) StartupNation Blog URL: http://www.startupnation.com/blog/ Editor: Rich and Jeff Sloan Brothers Rich and Jeff Sloan have dedicated their site to providing everything entrepreneurs need to know to achieve success, including some great stuff on marketing. 20) Ypulse URL: http://www.ypulse.com/ Editor: Anastasia Goodstein Journalist Anastasia Goodstein provides insights into everything to do with Generation Y, helping media and marketing professionals break into the market.

Marketing and Advertising Blogs

21) AdRants URL: http://www.adrants.com/ Editor: Steve Hall With the wit that he has become known and loved for, Steve Hall takes you through the marketing and advertising industry and all its trends, shifts, and strategies. 22) Adland URL: http://commercial-archive.com/ Editor: Dabitch This site goes beyond being a valuable forum for discussion on advertising. It also serves as a commercial archive. So, if there's an ad you missed and want to see, this is the place to be. 23) gapingvoid URL: http://www.gapingvoid.com/ Editor: Hugh MacLeod Hugh MacLeod doesn't just draw “cartoons on the back of business cards.” He also writes about marketing and advertising, drawing from his experience in the wine trade. 24) advertising/design goodness URL: http://www.frederiksamuel.com/blog/ Editor: Frederik Samuel A daily updated blog about some of the world's best – and worst – ad designs. 25) PSFK URL: http://www.psfk.com/ Editor: Guy Brighton Guy Brighton examines some of the global trends occurring in every major industry, helping businesses better build and rebuild their brands.

Business to Business Marketing Blogs

26) The WebMarketCentral Blog URL: http://webmarketcentral.blogspot.com/ Editor: Tom Pick A B2B marketer since 1992, Tom Pick maintains your portal to everything you need to know about B2B lead generation and marketing. 27) Marketing Profs URL: http://www.marketingprofs.com/ Editor: Allen Weiss What started as a simple blog by marketing professor Allen Weiss in 2000 has today turned into a fully-staffed venture that provides marketing know-how and offers valuable B2B articles and event information. 28) Marcom Writer Blog URL: http://marcom-writer-blog.com/ Editor: Dianna Huff A B2B marcom expert, Dianna Huff delivers news and her own personal commentary on all things dealing with B2B marketing communications. 29) Small Business B2B Marketing URL: http://www.smallbusinessb2b.com/ Editor: Scott Thompson Since 2006, Scott Thompson has been providing marketing trends for small B2B companies, covering everything from email and Internet marketing to trade shows and events. 30) Marketing Today Blog URL: http://marketingtoday.blogspot.com/ Editor: Peter DeLegge Recommended by Business 2.0 magazine, Peter DeLegge's blog takes a look at some of the most current issues and marketing trends facing B2B companies.

Marketing and Technology Blogs

31) Micro Persuasion URL: http://www.micropersuasion.com/ Editor: Steve Rubel This senior VP at one of the world's largest independent PR firms takes you through technology's transformative effect on marketing and PR. 32) The Marketing Technology Blog URL: http://www.douglaskarr.com/ Editor: Douglas Karr Karr covers everything from api usage to code samples to market research in his blog, all in his efforts to “keep you up to date and build your knowledge.” 33) Buzz Marketing for Technology URL: http://buzzmarketingfortech.blogspot.com/ Editor: Paul Dunay From the man who currently serves as the Director of Global Field & Interactive Marketing for BearingPoint comes this blog all about marketing and creating buzz for technology. 34) Advertising Lab URL: http://adverlab.blogspot.com/ Editor: Ilya Vedrashko In his blog, MIT grad Ilya Vedrashko looks at the future of marketing and advertising technologies and where they are headed. 35) Technology Evangelist URL: http://www.technologyevangelist.com/ Editor: Robert Cringley With its motto of “Better Living Through Technology,” Technology Evangelist sets out to cover the latest trends when it comes to hardware, software, and marketing.

Guerrilla Marketing Blogs

36) Guerrilla Marketing Tactics URL: http://www.gmarketing.com/articles/ Editor: Jay Conrad Levinson Although not officially a blog, the father of guerrilla marketing Jay Conrad Levinson posts regular articles on anything and everything guerrilla marketing. 37) Guerrilla Consulting URL: http://guerrillaconsulting.typepad.com/ Editor: Michael McLaughlin The co-author of “Guerrilla Marketing for Consultants” with Jay Conrad Levinson, Michael McLaughlin offers his insight into guerrilla tactics for consultants. 38) Guerrilla Communication URL: http://blog.guerrillacomm.com/ Editor: Herbert Krabel Herbert Krabel takes you through some of the most unique and successful guerrilla marketing campaigns out there. 39) AdverBox URL: http://www.adverbox.com/ Editor: Neuville This daily updated blog presents examples of guerrilla marketing campaigns from around the world. 40) Guerrilla Marketing Blog URL: http://gmarketingcoach.com/ Editor: Mitch Meyerson The author of six books and a recent guest on the Oprah Winfrey Show, Mitch Meyerson knows his guerrilla marketing. His blog offers tips and real-life examples on how to create a successful campaign of your own.

Brand Marketing Blogs

41) Brand Autopsy URL: http://brandautopsy.typepad.com/ Editor: John Moore How do you conduct a marketing physical for your brand? Check out John Moore's blog to find out. 42) Logic + Emotion URL: http://darmano.typepad.com/ Editor: David Armano David Armano's self-professed “sweet-spot” lies in trying to find the intersection between marketing, brand engagement and experience design. In his blog he looks at how passive consumers can become active participants. 43) Branding Strategy Insider URL: http://www.brandingstrategyinsider.com/ Editor: Derrick Daye Covering everything from brand promises and identity to brand leadership and colours, Tom Asacker has created a blog that tries to help businesses create stronger and more trustworthy brands. 44) Branding & Marketing URL: http://brandandmarket.blogspot.com/ Editor: Chris Brown From logos to websites to press release, Chris Brown blogs about strategies to build your brand. 45) The Viral Garden URL: http://moblogsmoproblems.blogspot.com/ Editor: Mack Collier “Blurring the line between company and customer,” Mack Collier's blog offers valuable advice for those looking to build a strong brand presence with their customers.

General Marketing Blogs

46) How to Change the World URL: http://blog.guykawasaki.com/ Editor: Guy Kawasaki Writing “A practical blog for impractical people,” Guy Kawasaki remains one of the most popular business bloggers out there. A venture capitalist, Kawasaki 's blog remains a must-read for entrepreneurs. 47) Marketing Sherpa URL: http://www.marketingsherpa.com/sherpablog.html Editor: Anne Holland Using case studies, surveys, and other techniques, Marketing Sherpa researches what works – and what doesn't – in all things marketing. 48) Drew's Marketing Minute URL: http://www.drewsmarketingminute.com/ Editor: Drew McLellan The name says it all. With brief and to the point posts, Drew McLellan offers his marketing tips to help your business generate customer loyalty and sales. 49) Marketing Roadmaps URL: http://getgood.typepad.com/ Editor: Susan Getgood Susan Getgood takes a broad look at the industry in general, where it's been and where it's going. 50) FutureLab URL: http://blog.futurelab.net/ Editor: Alain Thys A team of authors comes together to bring you customer centric advice relating to marketing, strategy, and innovation.