Sonja Jefferson

Thoughts on how to make waves with written content

Entries Tagged as 'Defining your proposition'

Back to basics: what is marketing (and where do you start)?

September 18th, 2009 · 4 Comments

Marketing is a dirty word for many in the small business world. It’s something you know you ought to be doing but it’s a bit confusing, a little distasteful somehow and difficult to get excited about when you’re busy with clients.
 
I’m sure that some of the confusion springs from the blurry definitions of marketing that are bandied around […]

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Tags: Defining your proposition · Marketing · Marketing materials · Marketing strategy · sales vs marketing

One simple step to better marketing in 2009: ASK YOUR CUSTOMERS

November 27th, 2008 · 2 Comments

In December, most small business owners will snatch some time in between signing Christmas cards to think back over the year and assess how the business has fared. You’ll check the figures - profitability, margin, new clients won - and compare these to previous years. Even if 2008 has been a good one, you’ll wonder how to improve your marketing to weather […]

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Tags: Case studies · Customer feedback · Defining your proposition · Marketing · Testimonials

What’s your crusade?

June 11th, 2008 · 3 Comments

Great businesses have a clear purpose; something bigger than just revenue or profit; certainly something better than what was there before. For me this is one of the things that separates the great from the run-of-the-mill.
I’ve been lucky enough to work for a couple of these ’super companies’ recently (see examples below). I know when I’ve found […]

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Tags: Company web sites · Content · Defining your proposition · Marketing · Sales

Five questions to help you communicate what you do

May 5th, 2008 · 8 Comments

"SO, WHAT DO YOU DO?"
If a potential customer asks you to describe what you do, what do you say?
In my experience, the usual response is a literal one:

"We’re IT developers. We build web-enabled retail systems."
"I’m a builder. I renovate old houses."
"We’re a recruitment company. We source contractors."

This is all very well; it’s part of the answer, but […]

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Tags: Company web sites · Content · Defining your proposition · Marketing · Sales