Everything Matters

Let’s Talk Marketing.

When it comes to marketing, every business wishes they could just set it and forget it. Here's the problem; your competition is watching, and they're looking for creative ways to outpace you — and ultimately beat you. And let's not forget about your customers — they're a savvy bunch, and before they just hand you their business on a silver platter, they expect (and deserve) an authentic experience that they can actually connect with. We’ll focus more on the competition in some upcoming conversations; for now, let’s jump in and highlight how potential customers interact with your business.

Brands that stay ahead of the competition while connecting with their clients do so by continually evaluating and fine-tuning their marketing strategies. They're laser-focused on crafting unique and tailored messaging that connects their products and services with their client's specific needs. Now, I’d be doing myself a disservice if I didn’t take this opportunity to mention that here at NCITE Creative & Marketing, we're experts in building the custom marketing strategies and creative touchpoints your business needs — but don't take our word for it, keep reading, and I’ll explain exactly what steps you can take to reach your audience and connect with more customers, more often.

Brand Advocacy.

Within the walls of your business, everyone (hopefully) is up-to-speed and in the know on all the latest and greatest information and agendas — however, outside of those walls, your customers are waiting...patiently for you to give them a reason they should choose to work with you.

Serious question; what have you done to deliver an experience, from start to finish that will not only increase your sales but create loyal brand advocates? For most businesses, the answer is, unfortunately, "not much."

So, where do you start? Well, good old-fashioned word of mouth might be the most powerful tool for generating advocacy — and it's rooted directly in how a customer or potential customer views your brand. Without meaningful messaging, you're leaving the narrative open to interpretation and creating uninformed customers who are unsure of what to think of your business. Advocacy matters — big time. And potential customers trust a product that others have vouched for. The best way to foster those strong customer-brand relationships is through messaging touchpoints that connect, inspire, and communicate specific details unique to your services. Being proactive in building brand advocacy leaves nothing on the table for question — and, when done correctly, combines an outstanding product with an educated customer.

Owning your Niche.

Regardless of size, product offering, or location — running a business is brutal. Many, many have tried...and unfortunately, many have failed. In fact, data from the BLS shows that approximately 20% of new businesses fail during the first two years of being open. 45% during the first five years and 65% during the first ten years. I know...those numbers suck. One of the leading causes of failure, time and time again, is that businesses fail to connect meaningfully with the right clients at the right time.

And while it's impossible to market yourself as something for everyone, you can commit to taking steps towards building a brand that connects with those who truly need and value your products or services. Owning your niche begins with providing reliable and engaging content, cultivating trust with your customers, and remaining true to your brand's mission. Fine-tuning and sharing your unique brand story is the most effective way of reaching customers who want exactly what you have to offer — while successfully growing and owning your corner of the market.

So, I run a small business — and if you were to ask me what makes NCITE Creative & Marketing so different, I’d say, “I'm a Marine Corps veteran with a degree in advertising and nearly a decade of real-world marketing experience. I'm committed to integrity, hard work, and growing my business while sharing my conservative values.” 

FOCUS ON Integrity.

Speaking of integrity, let me point out that the most successful marketing is more than just selling products and services – it's about creating an honest and meaningful connection between your business and the customer. 

Never underestimate the lasting relationship you'll forge with your clients through integrity, humility, and great storytelling. It's important to remember that everything, from your brand photos and videos to your website layout and monthly newsletter have the potential to connect with clients. Those connections can establish an authentic, meaningful relationship between your brand and your customers when done honestly and with a steadfast focus on integrity.

So while simply pushing products, sales, and services might be effective in the short term, it's essential to concentrate on building and committing to an honest, well-planned marketing strategy that connects with your customers for the long haul.

Who, What, & When.

Truly understanding your customer base is essential to both owning your niche and crafting successful marketing touchpoints. Often this can be accomplished with a detailed customer profile. With a client profile, you'll build a legitimate understanding of who those individuals are and what they expect from your business.

Taking the time to learn and detail the specific needs and wants of your customers will, in turn, allow you to create high-value content specifically tailored to them. When you know and aren't just guessing the profile of who you're doing business with, you can shift focus towards delivering powerful messaging and meaningful creative touchpoints that inspire action.

Piece by Piece.

With stiff competition and demanding customers, not a single detail of your marketing strategy can be overlooked. Every element must come together to build an ecosystem of creative touchpoints required to drive sales and grow your brand's reputation. This means cohesive photos, videos, websites, newsletters, articles, and more all need to come together in a whole package to form a strong foundation.

Without an experienced in-house marketing team, chances are you don't have time to start creating and managing all of those asset streams. Fortunately, NCITE Creative & Marketing specializes in building creative assets and utilizing every marketing channel available to grow your business. Our team is organized and committed to streamlining the process with zero lag, zero excuses, and complete satisfaction.

Staying ahead of the Competition.

As a business, expecting more from your marketing team is essential if you want to stay ahead of the competition. Learning and evolving alongside the changing market is critical. Keeping up with the trends and optimizing your customer's experience can make all the difference.

Customers expect businesses to understand their specific needs and offer products or services that address those needs in a unique way. Remember, you can't be everything for everyone — it's crucial to own your niche while focusing on growing your audience through brand advocacy. Marketing is about more than just selling products or services — it's about connecting with the customer. Everything matters in marketing, so nurturing your strategy and taking regular stock of what works for you, is the best way to get maximum results and outshine your competitors.

To learn how NCITE Creative & Marketing can help grow your business, call us today at (208) 916-8868 for a no-obligation consultation