“Because the purpose of business is to create a customer, the business enterprise has two – and only two – basic functions: marketing and innovation.  Marketing and innovation produce results; all the rest are costs. Marketing is the distinguishing, unique function of the business.”  Peter Drucker – 1973

While nearly everything in business has changed since that statement in ’73; its meaning for businesses of all sizes has not. Companies need to innovate both their offerings (services and/or products) as well as their marketing tactics to remain competitive in today’s business climate.

While the internet has blurred what we think of as word-of-mouth advertising (the humanistic kind); at the same time, it has gifted businesses with tools to extend their voice much farther and more quickly via the internet.

A business that complains about the lack of traffic to their doors, the phone not ringing, or the lack of sales – but does not market is like to a voter who complains about the government – but didn’t vote.

With regards to business marketing and innovation – here are some solid tips

• Look at new ways to connect with the most prospects

• Stay connected with your customers (Or your competition will)
• Experiment with timing your blogging and social media activity to reach the greatest audience
• Make sure all your digital assets are discoverable (SEO) – website, images, business citations, video files
• Continually refine your keyword research to discover new opportunities
• Do not be afraid to try a new social media tool before your friends – go for it!
• Know what your competitors are doing online – as you pick up search engine market share, they are likely to change their game in an effort to regain it
• Try to market where your audience goes for their information
• For greater advertising success, try building trust through marketing first
• Using social media to tell stories about your brand might work better than using your website
• Write social posts about your industry, not always about your business
• Continually look for ways to build more link exposure to your website
• NEVER STOP

Marketing & Innovation – think outside the box!

About: Sidewalk Branding Company is a Rhode Island internet marketing & SEO/SEM firm. Award-winning and internationally published, they focus on getting solopreneurs, and small businesses (less than 25 employees or so) discovered online – locally.