Worst marketing tactics for small businesses

When it comes to successfully running a business, one of the things that will either make or break your small business's growth is your marketing tactics. The marketing tactics you choose will allow you to advertise your business to the right group of people, increase your sales and earning potential, and grow your business overall.

However, the wrong marketing tactics can do just the opposite, driving people away or not reaching your intended audience. In order to avoid this, you should be aware of some of the worst marketing tactics for small businesses. A few of these tactics you should avoid include:

Choosing the wrong internet marketing

The internet can be an excellent way to market your business and get your name out. However, it has to be the right kind of internet marketing or you will end up turning off potential customers rather than attracting them. Some of the worst marketing tactics you can use online include things like pop-up ads, pop under ads, and flashing banner ads. This is especially true of the ads that you can't close out of until a certain amount of time has passed. Email marketing can be effective, but limit it to potential customers who have given you their email addresses instead of purchasing mass lists.

Not having a niche

A niche market is crucial for your small business, whatever it may be. Don't fall into the trap of thinking your product and services are for anyone and everyone. Instead, zero in on a specific group or demographic you can target. For example, if you have a personal training business, consider targeting a group such as business professionals you can train on their lunch hour, or make a niche of student athletes. Without a niche, you waste valuable time and money.

Failing to research and evaluate

You should research your market thoroughly before you begin marketing your business. For example, you may have a business that targets senior citizens and decide to focus your marketing primarily on internet marketing and emails. However, with research you would find that only a small percentage of senior citizens use the internet and email on a regular basis.

Once you have researched your market and determined the best marketing routes to take, it is also important to evaluate the effectiveness of that campaign. This can include determining whether your tactics are generating leads, asking customers where they heard about your company, and so forth.

Not taking care of current customers

It is said that roughly 80% of your business comes from current customers, and 20% comes from new. When you take care of your current customers and work hard to make sure they are satisfied and happy with your current services, you are not only saving time and money, you are also increasing the chances that they will recommend their services. Word of mouth is one of the most effective advertising tools there is, and you can increase word of mouth through taking care of current customers.

Your marketing tactics can make or break your company. Successful marketing tactics are well researched and targeted efforts that work to draw in customers who have a high chance of purchasing your products or services. Unsuccessful tactics, however, can drain you of time and resources. The above are some of the worst marketing tactics and how you can avoid them.