Michele DeKinder-Smith asked:


 

What would you say if I told you there were an online tool that could provide detailed information about the size of your market including trends in your industry and other important information concerning the economy as a whole?

 

What if I told you that this tool could help take the hit-and-miss out of small business marketing?

 

And what if I told you it was free? 

 

The US Census site—www.census.gov—is all that and more. That’s why it’s such an essential data destination for market researchers, entrepreneurs, government agencies and anyone who needs accurate information about social and economic trends in the US.  The economic portion of the site offers a wide variety of reports—usually in the form of a downloadable .pdf document—covering topics ranging from basic economic indicators to employment statistics and more.

 

There is, of course, one major drawback to US census data, and that’s how often it’s collected. There are areas of the website’s economic data still based on the 2002 Economic Census, and even the economic indicators updated on a monthly basis do so based on information obtained two months previous.

 

Even so, there are numerous ways that US Census economic data can be essential to making informed small business marketing decisions, and having a sense of the scope of resources available will get you started in putting that data to work for you.

 

Does the number of households with children in your county, region or state make a difference in terms of the size of your potential market? How about the number of retirees, or individuals representing a certain minority group? If so, you’ll want to check out the People & Households section of the website which also contains important information concerning household incomes. 

 

These numbers could help to influence how much of your marketing budget you dedicate to reaching certain sectors of your target demographic, and where, geographically, you choose to concentrate your advertising dollars. It may also help you determine baselines for products and pricing.

 

If your target market is tied to a certain business or industry—the housing market, for example, or the entertainment industry—you’ll want to explore the Business & Industry section of the US Census website. This is where you’ll find general economic indicators for major areas of the economy, as well as more specific information through the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS.) This type of industry-specific info is also good for surveying exactly how your own business is doing relative to your industry as whole.

 

There are a number of different ways to use the information available through the Business & Industry section.  If you’re wondering, for example, what types of online businesses and e-commerce websites are making the most money—and what areas of online sales appear to be growing the quickest—you might go to the E-Stats section.  If your market includes small business owners, you might gain some useful information from the Survey of Business Owners. And, if the local economy is important to the growth and development of your business, the section marked County Business Patterns, under the heading of Economic Indicators, is a great place to start.

 

By taking US Census information into account, you’ll be able to “look before you leap” when it comes to major business decisions, and develop key strategies to keep pace in a changing world. 

 

For more information about how to put US Census data to work for your business, visit http://profitzing.com/business-to-business-marketing/

Jagraj Singh Gill asked:


Copyright © Jagraj Gill

http://www.payitforward4profits.com/jaggiegill

Business to business marketing – internet style – is not a new concept. As a matter of fact, the idea of having two or more businesses help to promote one another is a tried and true idea that has resulted in numerous profits for those involved. Savvy business owners and operators understand the inherent value brought to their establishment by business to business marketing; internet sites offer another dimension that will permit these business owners to continue their networking efforts in the virtual world that the ‘Net provides.

For example, a brick and mortar company – such as a dog grooming business – will be able to benefit from displaying advertisements at the local veterinarian offices. Dog owners are most likely to consider taking their animals for a professional grooming to such an establishment, especially if it comes recommended by their local vet. Conversely, the clients of the dog grooming business will be most likely those who need a veterinarian for their pets, and they may trust the vet recommended by the dog groomer who already has an established relationship with them. The same concept applies to business to business marketing; internet simply adds a new dimension to

the transaction.

For example, the local dog groomer as well as the veterinarian may both have websites. This will permit for further business to business marketing, internet style. Since the services provided by the dog groomer and veterinarian only tangentially overlap, they are not in competition with one another, but instead will be able to market business to business in the truest sense of the term. Yet if the dog groomer wants to take the business further on the ‘Net, the business to business marketing internet connection will need to be made with other entities such as dog fancy magazines, animal shelters, and other groups that are not in competition with one another.

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To find the best home based business ideas and

opportunities so you can work at home visit:

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Aaron Goldberg asked:


When it comes to small business marketing there are several things that must be kept in mind. For example, small businesses rarely have big budgets for advertising. As a result, they need to find methods to advertise their product or service without spending a lot of money. The following small business marketing tips will help your business grow and make more money.

Multiple Marketing Tactics

The first thing you will want to do is come up with several marketing ideas that will help your business. Then, figure out a plan to rotate these tactics so that you get the most bang for your buck. One marketing effort may work great the first time and not the second time or else it works only occasionally. Because of this it is important for small businesses to have a marketing plan and alternate various types of marketing tactics for the best results.

Buddy Marketing

Another option is to use buddy marketing. This is a great way to reach new customers without much cost. The way buddy marketing works is that when you send out a brochure of your company you include a business card or small leaflet for another business to advertise for them based on an agreement that they will do the same for you. The business should be complementary to yours, but not in competition.

Second Offers

As soon as a customer makes a purchase send them a letter thanking them for their purchase and that because of this purchase they may be able to buy return and buy an additional item for a discount of 20% or something of that nature. Make sure you include an expiration date, too, so there is a sense of urgency.

Market to Past Customers

Remember that marketing to your past customers is better than marketing to new ones. That is not to say that you don’t want to try and get new customers just that old customers are easier to sell to. As a result, concentrate and marketing to your past customers whether this be through email marketing, newsletters, or coupons in the mail. Regardless of the way you market to past customers you will benefit by making more sales.

These are just a few tips to help small businesses market their services and business. It is really important to keep in mind there are unlimited ways to market your business without spending a lot of money or even time. It’s just important to be aware of what the options are and how to make them work for you.

Jeffrey Houdyschell asked:


Business to business marketing online Internet style. This is not a new marketing technique. In fact, the design of having two or even more businesses help to endorse one another products and services is a tried and true method that has provided profitable results for most entities involved. Knowledgeable business owners and webmasters recognize the enormous value brought to their company by business-to-business marketing. Marketing online offers another dimension with enormous reach that will allow businesses to continue their networking efforts in the virtual and viral world that the Internet provides.

Lets say for example that a brick and mortar company like a dog grooming business will benefit and gain customers from displaying advertisements at the local veterinarian offices. Dog owners, who trust these veterinarians are more likely to take their pets for a professional grooming to a business recommended by an already trusted establishment, like their local vet. On the other hand, the clients of the dog grooming business will be most likely those who need a veterinarian for their pets, and they will most likely trust the vet suggested by the professional grooming business who already has an reputable relationship with them. The same concept applies to business-to-business marketing; The Internet simply adds a new aspect to this method.

If the local pet grooming business and the veterinarian both have a website it will permit for further business-to-business marketing, Internet style. Since the services provided by the pet grooming business and veterinarian only tangentially overlap, they are not in direct competition with one another, but instead will be able to do business-to-business marketing online in the truest sense of the term.

These businesses could then continue with this business-to-business marketing method with other related businesses. For example the Pet grooming business could establish a relationship with pet magazines, animal shelters and other groups that are not in direct competition with each other.

This form of business-to-business marketing has become commonplace online and savvy webmasters and business owners have been taking advantage of this viral marketing method in many different forms. Website owners will cross promote each other’s products, services and business opportunities to each others subscribers lists in an email marketing campaign. Or just place ads on each other’s websites.

Finding these business-to-business marketing opportunities are not as hard as you would think. Perhaps you are starting a new website promoting your own type of network marketing opportunity and need a professionally designed website. The design company you hire to design your website could benefit from new people you recruit into your new business. Just as you could benefit from people looking for website design that need a business to promote on their new website.

So now you have your new network marketing website designed and need to add content to it. You then hire a ghost writer, establish a relationship and before you know it they are sending you prospects and you in turn send them back to first the website design company and then to the ghost writer. All of related but non-competing businesses start benefiting from the viral nature of business-to-business marketing online. Next you need your site optimized for the search engines, OK, OK, I’ll stop now, but you get the picture right?

These are highly viral and lucrative methods that all involved can benefit from. The next time that you do business with another business remember to look for the business-to-business marketing opportunity.