Smaller firms tend to have a smaller return on investment because they lack economy of scale and also do not adequately focus on marketing efforts. Many people thing that marketing is just advertising, while advertising is part of the marketing mix, it is only a small portion of the business function. Adding value to your product is a function of marketing that will help your business succeed. While it is easy to assume that your marketing should just focus on advertising, there are other ways that you can use it to increase the overall profitability of your firm.
In business school they will teach you that marketing is the process of finding out what the consumer needs, and then finding a way to fill that need. This is why the marketing department of a huge firm will consist of things such as research and development. By looking at the product that you sell, you can add value by trying new ways to meet the needs that consumers have. Let’s say that you own a restaurant, the reason people go there is because they need food, but it could also be because they want and easier meal than cooking themselves or they want to socialize. A lot of restaurants will address this need, some will add delivery service for their food or carry out, others will turn the restaurant into a bar at night. Although this may not seem like marketing, it is an example of addressing the needs of the consumers. To learn more ideas about branding marketing, click for more info.
You may also want to address your marketing channels. How does your product reach the end user? You can use your marketing channels to add more sales. Larger firms have been doing this for years. Large retail stores are able to lower their costs by skipping the wholesaler and buying directly from the manufacturer, by shortening the marketing channel their products flow through they were able to pass the savings on to the consumer. Other firms increase profitability by adding marketing channels, like adding the ability to purchase products online and not just in the store.
One function of marketing that is key to your business is positioning and branding. Branding is the associations with your product that consumers immediately make. You can accomplish these associations through positioning your product; distinct of your competitors. The easiest way to position your product is through your advertising.
Successful businesses have something in common, they do not neglect their marketing. A lot of the thing that you do in your business, branding, advertising, sales, and more are all a part of marketing. Spending the money to get the right amount of focus on your marketing efforts is an investment in your company. Visit martinlindstrom.com, for more ideas about branding marketing and advertising.