It’s a nightmare scenario for any small business: spending hard-earned cash on a flailing marketing campaign. Finding your marketing strategy ineffective can cause frustration, anger, and panic in even the most stable business owner. If you find yourself in this predicament, you may feel helpless and distraught. However, you don’t have to let a lackluster marketing decision affect your company’s standing. Instead, you can work to turn a negative into a positive with a little elbow grease and innovation. Here are five ways to transform a marketing loss into a win:
- Identify the Issues
Too many companies take a hands-off approach to their marketing efforts, and as such, suffer the consequences. Indeed, plenty of businesses don’t even know if their marketing strategy is working or not. The first step any owner looking to revamp their marketing efforts must take is to determine what functions –– and what doesn’t –– with their current campaigns. You don’t want to throw the baby out with the bathwater in this situation.
- Listen Before You Act
It should be common practice to listen more than you speak in business, but unfortunately that’s not the case. Too many companies fail to build strong relationships with their customers and as a result their marketing falls flat. Furthermore, recognizing you’ve got a problem beyond your skill set is only an issue if you refuse to seek help. If you truly feel out of your depth, consider bringing in outside help in the form of a marketing firm or agency.
- Go Organic
Sometimes an advertising campaign fails not because its content is poor, but because the right people aren’t finding it. If this is the case, it’s best to help build up your website’s domain authority through compelling organic content. Not only can organic work help bring in new customers on its own, but it will also increase your visibility online.
- Double Down
A marketing campaign is only as powerful as the backing it receives. There’s no shame in admitting that you haven’t given your marketing work your full attention or support. After all, small business owners have a lot on their plate. Fortunately, you can rectify this issue simply by beefing up your current content. Money talks in marketing and advertising, and you’ll likely see an uptick in results relative to your increase in spending. Also, be aware of funding options for marketers such as a business line of credit or small business loan. You shouldn’t have to dip into your savings to bolster your marketing strategy.
- Know When to Fold
Even the best poker players occasionally get stuck with a weak hand. Scrapping a campaign completely isn’t fun or ideal –– but it may be the best way forward for you and your business. Plus, it’ll offer you the opportunity to get it right this time around!
