When things don’t seem to be working in your marketing program, do you ever look upstream? What I mean is, how do your customers and consumers find out about your business? The ones who buy, not just the ones who kick the tires?
Do you ask your customers “how did you hear about us?” Maybe some found you on the internet. Maybe some were referred by a trusted friend. Others may have heard about a project or a product from an acquaintance.
It’s important to know your channel… how do customers find you? And what have they heard?
Today is the first day of 2nd quarter. If you’re in charge of sales & marketing for your business, tally up the leads, sales calls, proposals written and proposals accepted for 1st quarter. How does it compare to a year ago? Where did they come from? What can you adjust for first quarter 2009? What went right?
To use the water analogy — a rising tide raises all boats. So swim up the current a little bit and make sure you know which inlet the fish are coming from before you cast your nets too wide or in the wrong bay.
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Well said! I couldn’t agree more! Today is a very important day for marketers, especially considering the recent economic conditions have been burying most businesses alive. I wrote something similar to this on my blog today – regarding reevaluating efforts and change.