7 Marketing Tips I Wish I Knew When I Started: A Guide for New Marketers

Marketing is a dynamic and ever-evolving field. As someone who's been in the trenches, there are countless lessons I’ve learned along the way. Here are ten essential marketing tips that I wish I knew when I first started. These insights will help new marketers build a strong foundation and drive success for their clients and businesses.

1. Understand the Importance of Business Branding

One of the first lessons in marketing is recognizing the power of strong business branding. Your brand is more than just a logo or a tagline; it's the personality and promise you deliver to your customers. A strong brand creates a memorable impression and differentiates your business in a crowded marketplace. By developing your brand, you can create a loyal following that will tell friends and family about you, giving you extra reach and trust with potential consumers.

2. Develop a Comprehensive Brand Marketing Strategy

A well-rounded brand marketing strategy is crucial for long-term success. This involves understanding your target audience, crafting a unique value proposition, and consistently delivering your brand message across all channels. Focus on creating engaging content that aligns with your brand’s voice and visual identity. Remember, consistency is key to building trust and loyalty among your customers.

3. Leverage SEO Optimisation Early On

SEO optimisation should be a foundational aspect of your marketing strategy from the get-go. The average age of content on the first page of Google is over a year, so getting your website SEO ready from day one is important. Understanding how search engines work and how to optimize your website and content for relevant keywords will drive organic traffic and improve your visibility online. Conduct thorough keyword research, optimize on-page elements, and build quality backlinks to enhance your search engine rankings. Don’t forget to track your performance and adjust your strategy as needed.

4. Embrace the Power of Social Media

Social media platforms are powerful tools for reaching and engaging with your audience. Develop a social media strategy that aligns with your overall brand marketing strategy. Plan and create your content in bulk, then schedule it to go live at peak times. It is much easier to consistently spend one day per week making content, then to ensure you have a few hours spare every day to do it! Create content that resonates with your audience, encourages interaction, and builds a community around your brand. Once you have your strategy in place and content is made, only then should you go live on socials, you don't want to create the account and only post a couple of times before running out of steam. Get at least a couple of weeks of content made and post heavily at the start, this will allow you to gain traction quicker. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different types of content, such as videos, infographics, and live streams, to see what works best for your audience.

5. Invest in Paid Advertising Wisely

Paid advertising can be a great way to boost your visibility and reach a larger audience. However, it’s essential to approach it strategically. Whether you're using Google Ads, social media ads, or any other platform, ensure your ads are well-targeted and aligned with your business goals. If you are just starting out, using higher levels of automation in your ads can seem attractive. There is nothing wrong with using these features, but always double check what the automation is doing and how it is performing to avoid wasting money. An easy example that tripped me up when I started, Google location targeting has two options: Presence or Presence and Interest. The former is only people in your target location, the latter includes anyone with an interest in your location. I used the default Presence and Interest setting and quite quickly found my ads were spending money on unqualified leads all over the world, even though I thought they were targeted to UK only.

6. Prioritize Customer Retention

While acquiring new customers is important, retaining existing ones is equally crucial. Develop strategies to keep your customers engaged and satisfied. This could include loyalty programs, personalized marketing efforts, and excellent customer service. Email marketing is a great way to retain customers and create a strong brand image that increases customer loyalty. Happy customers are more likely to become brand advocates, spreading the word about your business and driving more referrals.

8. Network and Collaborate

Networking with other professionals in your industry can open doors to new opportunities and insights. Join marketing groups, attend industry events, and collaborate with other businesses. These connections can provide valuable support, share knowledge, and even lead to beneficial partnerships.

Starting your marketing journey can be overwhelming, but these tips can provide a solid foundation to build upon. From understanding the importance of business branding to leveraging SEO optimisation, these insights will help you navigate the complexities of marketing with confidence. Remember, continuous learning and adaptation are key to staying ahead in this ever-changing field. So, embrace these tips and get ready to elevate your marketing game.