5 Strategic Reasons For A Marketing Budget

        A marketing budget is a crucial component of any business's financial planning. It is an essential tool that enables business owners to effectively and efficiently allocate resources to marketing activities, ensuring that they achieve the best possible return on their exposure investment. In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of a marketing budget and how it can impact your business success.

1. A marketing budget allows business owners to identify their priorities and set clear objectives for their marketing campaigns. By allocating a specific dollar amount for marketing activities, business owners can make informed decisions about the marketing channels they wish to focus on and determine the appropriate amount of resources to allocate to each channel. This helps businesses owners stay focused on their marketing objectives and goals.

2. A marketing budget helps businesses owners manage their finances more effectively. It enables business administrators and managers to strategically plan their marketing expenses every quarter, ensuring that they don't overspend or run out of money midway through a marketing campaign. This is particularly important for small business owners that may have limited financial resources.

3. A marketing budget enables business owners to measure their marketing efforts and evaluate their success. By tracking their marketing expenses and monitoring their results, business owners and administrators can determine which marketing channels are most effective for their business and adjust their budget accordingly. This helps businesses optimize their marketing campaigns and ensure that they are getting the best possible return on their investment.

4. A marketing budget can help businesses stay competitive and stand out from their competitors. By investing in marketing activities that are relevant and impactful to their target audience, businesses can build brand awareness, attract new customers, and retain existing ones. This can help businesses to stay ahead of their competitors and maintain a strong market position.

Finally, a marketing budget can help businesses to identify areas for improvement and make necessary adjustments. By monitoring their marketing activities and measuring their success, business owners can identify areas that need improvement and make necessary changes. This can help businesses to continuously improve their marketing efforts and stay ahead of changing market trends and consumer behaviors.

So as you can see a marketing budget is a crucial component of any business's financial planning. It enables businesses to identify their priorities, manage their finances more effectively, measure their marketing efforts, stay competitive, and identify areas for improvement. As such, businesses that prioritize their marketing budget are more likely to succeed in today's competitive marketplace.

Do you have a marketing budget? Do you need help figuring out how to best invest your marketing dollars? We can help! email info@bizboom360.com Subject line: Marketing Budget 

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• Evaluate - Development Strategy 
• Implement - Actionable Solutions

YOUR SUCCESS IS OUR SUCCESS!!

10 April Fundraising Ideas

Not too hot; not too cold. Spring brings a breath of fresh air, literally, so take advantage and breathe deep! Keep the fundraisers active—kids of all ages have been cooped up for months, so parents of all stripes will want to take part in anything that lets them leave that excess energy behind.

Spring is the season of birth and newness. Go with fresh ideas and themes, and go hard on the veggies. Forget being sensible. Shake out the wrinkles and just go for your goals! Here my list of 10 April Fundraising Ideas for Your Nonprofit.

1. Autism Awareness Month (April)

The best way to acknowledge Autism Awareness Month is to bring autistic people into the planning. With their creativity and guidance, you can come up with a fundraiser to remember! Don't be one of those ableist organizations that decide what's best without the valuable input of those you are serving. Autism is a SPECTRUM disorder which means that there is a wide range of function and/or cognitive impairment. Try to create opportunities for your entire constituency to participate and engage.  

2. Ramadan (Dates vary each year)

Encourage supporters to give something up during the month of Ramadan, like coffee, and donate the savings.

3. National Public Health Week (Dates vary. It’s always the first full week of April.)

Created by the American Public Health Association, National Public Health Week is a great opportunity for fundraising for organizations that do work that supports health and well-being. Use this week to highlight programs that connect with the theme of the week and ask supporters to make a donation to support those programs. 

4. April Fools Day (April 1)

Nonprofits have executed some epic April Fools Day pranks and some have parlayed their pranks into fundraising asks. Have fun and give yourself permission to creative with it! 

5. Siblings Day (April 10)

Ask your supporters to make a donation in honor of their sibling. This can be an especially meaningful ask if your nonprofit works with children and families. 

5. Passover (Dates vary each year)

By keeping in mind freedom during Passover, the Jewish holiday that celebrates freedom from slavery in Egypt, you can acknowledge the struggle and help ensure that modern day slavery and systemic oppression are stamped out.

6. Earth Day (April 22)

If your organization does environmental work of any kind, Earth Day is a prime fundraising opportunity. Use the day to make a case for the importance of a particular project your nonprofit is working on. You could also host an Earth Day-themed fundraising event. Many people observe “Earth Hour,” which happens around Earth Day. This is when people turn off any non-essential lights as a demonstration of their commitment to the earth. You could choose to host your fundraising event during Earth Hour by candlelight for some extra ambiance!

7. Flower or Plant Fundraisers

Springtime is a great time for gardening. Your nonprofit can partner with a local nursery or plant grower for a flower or plant fundraiser. Alternatively, you could do a flower delivery fundraiser that’s timed with Easter.

8. Yom HaShoah (April 17-18)

Holocaust Remembrance Day

 9. Laylat al-Qadr (April 17)

A holy night in a holy month, Laylat al-Qadr is the night that the Koran was revealed to the prophet Muhammad. It's a significant day of recognition to Muslim people.

 10. Honesty Day (April 30)

The foil to April Fools Day at the beginning of April, your nonprofit can use this day to get real with supporters about what’s happening behind the scenes at your organization and make an ask to support an initiative. Or, get honest about the state of the problem your organization is working to solve. You don’t have to present it as doom and gloom, just honestly lay out the facts. Transparency is trending, after all.

Let’s spring into action, Fundraiser! Good luck with your Spring fundraisers! 

WE HELP YOU 

• Discover - Identify Problems
• Evaluate - Development Strategy 
• Implement - Actionable Solutions

YOUR SUCCESS IS OUR SUCCESS!!

10 Ways to Improve Customer Experience

 

A customer’s experience with your business is the sum of all their interactions with you, from the first time they hear about your company to post-purchase follow-up.

In other words, it’s everything that touches a customer – both online and offline. And in today’s digital world, the majority of those touchpoints will be online. That’s why it’s so important to create a positive customer experience on your website. If your website is confusing or difficult to use, you’re likely to lose customers – and sales.

On the other hand, if your website is easy to navigate and provides a great user experience, you’ll be rewarded with happy customers and increased sales.

Define "Customer Experience"

The History Of Customer Experience

The term “customer experience” has only been around for a few years, but the concept is not new. In fact, businesses have been trying to improve the customer experience since the beginning of commerce. In ancient times, merchants would do everything they could to please their customers, from offering them a seat to providing them with refreshments.

One of the first companies to really focus on improving the customers overall experience was department store Nordstrom. In the early 1900s, Nordstrom’s founder John W. Nordstrom set out to provide his customers with the best possible service. He instilled this commitment to customer service in all of his employees, and it remains a core part of the company’s culture today. Nordstrom is now known for its exceptional customer service, and it is considered one of the best retailers in the world.

What's The Difference Between Customer Service And Customer Experience?

Now that we’ve talked about what customer experience is, you might be wondering what the difference is between customer service and customer experience.

To put it simply, customer service is a part of the customer experience. It’s the one-on-one interaction that you have with your customers, whether it’s in person, on the phone, or online. Customer experience, on the other hand, is the sum of all interactions a customer has with your business – both online and offline.

Take Your Customer's Experience To The Next Level

An excellent customer experience is the key to any successful business. It’s what sets you apart from your competition and keeps your customers coming back for more. If you’re looking to take your customer’s experience to the next level, try these top 10 tips:

1. Make it easy for customers to find what they're looking for on your website.

Use clear and concise navigation, and include search functionality so that customers can easily find the products or information they’re looking for. If customers can’t find what they’re looking for on your website, they’ll quickly become frustrated and are likely to leave without making a purchase. That’s why it’s so important to have clear navigation and search functionality on your site.

2. Use high-quality images and videos. 

Customers want to see what they’re buying, so make sure to use high-quality product photos and videos. This will give customers a better idea of what the product looks like and how it works, which can help them make a more informed purchase decision. The last thing your customer wants is a surprise when their order shows up in the mail.

3. Offer a variety of shipping options.

Customers appreciate having choices, so offer a variety of shipping options on your website. This might include standard shipping, expedited shipping, or even local pickup for customers who live near your store. Giving customers different shipping options will make them more likely to purchase from you again in the future.

4. Make it easy for customers to contact you.

Include your contact information on every page of your website, and make it easy for customers to reach you by phone or email. You should also respond to customer inquiries promptly so that they know you value their business. Don’t make them jump through hoops or make it hard to track you down.

5. Reward your loyal customers!

Customers who have been with you for a while deserve to be rewarded for their loyalty. Offer them discounts, free shipping, or other perks that will make them want to continue doing business with you. Loyal customers are worth their weight in gold and shouldn’t be taken for granted.

Not only do loyal customers purchase your products or services, they’re essentially free marketing! They’re likely to tell their friends and family about your business, which can help you attract new customers.

6. Make it easy for customers to pay.

Include a variety of payment options on your website, and make sure the checkout process is quick and easy. No one wants to spend hours filling out forms or waiting for their order to be processed.

The easier you can make it for customers to pay, the more likely they are to do business with you again. In this day and age consumers attention spans are getting shorter and shorter. The last thing you want is someone bailing during checkout because it took too long.

7. Pay attention to the little things.

It’s the little things that can make a big difference in the customer experience. Something as simple as using friendly language on your website or sending a handwritten thank-you note with an order can go a long way toward making your customers feel valued.

If you see your customers face-to-face,  take the time to learn their names and use them when you can. These small gestures can make a big impression and turn customers into lifelong fans of your business.

8. Thoroughly train your employees.

Your employees are the face of your business, so it’s important that they’re properly trained on how to provide excellent customer service. They should be friendly and helpful, and they should know your products or services inside and out. If you have happy and knowledgeable employees, it will reflect well on your business and make customers want to come back.

It’s also important to give employees the tools they need to do their jobs effectively. This might include a customer relationship management (CRM) system, access to order histories, or even just a good old-fashioned customer service script. By equipping your employees with the resources they need, you can be sure that they’re providing the best possible experience to your customers.

9. Ask for feedback!

Customers are the best source of information when it comes to improving the customer experience. Ask them what they like and don’t like, what they want to see more of, and what you could do better. Then take that feedback and use it to make changes in your business.

Whether it’s adding a new product or service, changing the way you handle customer inquiries, or something else entirely, listen to what your customers are saying and use it to improve their experience.

And last but not least…

10. Be consistent!

Customers like consistency, so it’s important to provide a consistent experience across all channels. Whether a customer is interacting with your website, speaking to customer service, or visiting your store in person, they should have the same positive experience. Consistency builds trust and creates a sense of reliability, both of which are important for attracting and keeping customers.

What areas do you have room to improve in?

Creating a great customer experience is essential for online businesses. If you make it easy for customers to find what they’re looking for and purchase your products, you’ll be rewarded with happy, loyal customers who will return time and time again.

Would you like to learn about how we can help you create high-quality graphics that your customers will love? Would you like to have me take a look at your website or business operations and help you create a unique to your business  system to enhance the customer experience for your clients?

Feel free to reach out to schedule a free 30 minute discovery call. Email Info@BizBoom360.com

Do You Know Your Google Search Ranking?

 

Is your business listed in Google? Do you know your Google Search Ranking? Have you ever thought "why does google hate me?" You're a good business owner, treat people right and offer excellent service or an excellent product. So why is your business not easily found on Google or any other search engine? Are you tired of watching your competitors get more business?

Today I am sharing 3 Tips to Turn Things Around in as little as one week!

TIP 1: Build local citations.  *Citation Factors - When the overall set of citations a local business has developed contains inaccurate, conflicting or duplicate information, it can negatively impact local rankings. Additionally, a business which has not developed a competitive number of citations on high-quality, relevant platforms may find itself at a disadvantage compared to more motivated nearby competitors. There are over 90  different sites to host your business citations.  *A business citation is also known as a business directory listing.

TIP 2: Have a Landing Page or Website. At the very least have a landing page or One-Page Website. Have you ever searched online for a product or service and then went and purchased from the business without a website? Plus, Google will “crawl the web” and find your site which is good for your overall ranking. You can do this yourself but just remember, you're not a website designer and you have a business to run. Set up a FREE consultation with me so we can discuss your options or reach out to a reputable web designer of your choice.

TIP 3: Blogging or Posting to Social. are both great ways to organically attract users to your business. The easiest way to organically attract users is by creating content (in your blog or social posts) with words and phrases that match commonly searched terms — keywords — that relate to your industry and your business. Use hashtags and create reels.

I'd love to share some other strategies for your business with you. As you probably saw by now, I know a thing or two about what I am talking about. You might be wondering... "Are you just trying to sell me something?" Well, the straight answer is yes, BUT only if I can actually help you increase your web traffic and customer activity. That's why I believe in providing value in advance, for free, sharing useful tips and the ingredients for success but if you want the full recipe AND the secret sauce we a going to have to talk.

Am available by appointment only and I only work with 6 clients at a time during the duration of our retainer agreement so that I can give your business the attention it deserves. Don’t wait. My calendar fills pretty fast email info@bizboom360.com

Is Your Brand Consistent?

 

Often in business, we have so many great ideas and different avenues we want to walk down and that’s great! As entrepreneurs, it’s necessary to be ready to grow, to thrive, to reach for more. The pitfall is how easy it is to allow your business to be inconsistent, often in the way, it’s branded.

 

What is consistency in a brand? A prime example, if you see a rounded, yellow, ‘M’ what is the first thing that comes to mind? Yes, McDonald’s. How about a cherry red target? Target, of course. Not to mention the famous Nike ‘swoop’. You see the image and instantly know the name with nothing else needed. We recognize these symbols immediately! They’re a few of the biggest brands in the world, and they got that way by staying consistent with their brand. You know what to expect when you get something from them, and you can immediately identify them on sight. By using consistent colors, fonts, and one specific message to get across their businesses have stood the test of time.

 

Consistency does not mean that all your advertising should be the same. Especially with the constant wave and trends of social media, there are countless ways to share your message and showcase your brand. However, it should look like it’s coming from the same company. We do this by knowing the message and values of the company. Are you fun, innovative, serious, traditional, or modern? An eco-conscious brand would be different from real estate, or a pet food retailer. Have a palette of colors that identify with who you are. A great tip is to look up how colors make you feel. Certain shades of blue are calming and tranquil. Red can be powerful, alerting and energizing. When you know the message and tone of your brand, the colors simply allow that to shine through!

 

By visually identifying your brand consistently people will begin to recognize you, refer you to others and your business will certainly grow!