January 10, 2014
I’m sure throughout 2013, you have asked yourself about social media, online shopping, the younger generation and knowing your market. These are all things that will affect your company in one way or another in 2014. The best way to learn and grow is to roll up your sleeves and study how these things work.
We encourage you to start today and commit to these five resolutions that will rock your business and personal world for years to come:
Use Social Media
Make a resolution for 2014 to create a personal profile on social media. The only way for you to understand the impact social media can have on your business is for you to understand it, digest it and implement it personally. Follow your friends—and your competitors.
Buy Online
As you decide how to implement e-commerce (or if you want to) in your business, make 12 personal purchases from various industries and online sellers in 2014. Study the strengths and weaknesses of your personal shopping experience, from the product catalog, ease of checkout, delivery options, follow-up and customer service.
Get Ready for Gen Y
Generation Y is coming of age. Born between 1982 and 2000, this is the largest generation of consumers ever (bigger than the Baby Boomers) and they will be the dominant consumer force for your future. As these millennials begin to enter the marketplace as both consumers and employees, be poised to capture their attention. Study up on Gen Y personality, media, lifestyle, buying habits, pop culture and work ethic.
Find Someone YOUNG to do YOUNG Things
You’ve got enough to do without trying to figure out how to update your Facebook page, post a blog, send an email blast and create an online store while learning the buying habits of millennials. Hire someone young to manage these young technologies. They intuitively understand social media and can aptly share your vision with a massive audience.
Know Your Market
Market research is an expensive investment, not an expendable expense. The Ms. Jones that bought from you five years ago is gone and a new woman has taken her place. Do you understand her wants, needs, desires and media choices? Use this down economy to envision the customer you want to buy from you by doing your homework utilizing census websites factfinder.census.gov or esri.com.
The new year is for growth and forward momentum. With these five resolutions in action, your business will be poised to thrive like never before.
Quick-Fire Marketing is brought to you by R&A Marketing. Armed with more than 25 years of furniture retail marketing experience as a full-service traditional and digital marketing company, R&A is the industry’s premier agency for retailers in the home furnishings and appliances/electronics industries. Visit us on the web at www.ramarketing.com or email us at info@ramarketing.com.