Five Concepts You Must Know to Be a Modern Marketer

Here is something to get you thinking.  Below is my list of five important concepts that today’s marketers must know.  Unfortunately, it is my experience that many marketers have only vague knowledge of these concepts.  So if you fall into that category you have plenty of company.

I’m not going to address in detail what these are, that is your job.  But I will say that if you are not thoroughly familiar with each of these topics then you owe it to yourself to learn.  Soon!  Pick up books, go to websites, attend seminars, enroll in courses.  Whatever it takes learn these concepts as soon as you can.

1. Customer Loyalty  Everyone knows customers are important.  But do you really know what a loyal customer is?  In most competitive markets building a loyal customer base is probably the most important objective marketers should have.  Do you know why? If you don’t know you need to find out - immediately!  The future of your business may depend on it.
2. Search Engine Marketing  Get with the program! If you are a marketer and still don’t know why this segment of Internet marketing is important then you have a problem.  Search engines are the most important influence on marketing since television became a competitor to radio.  You need to know how this is impacting your business.
3. Public Relations  Every marketer knows the importance of advertising but how many really understand the value of public relations?  If you don’t understand PR then you are missing out on a powerful form of promotion.  Considering all the websites, blogs, television channels and traditional print media, who are screaming for content, PR presents an important and often untapped opportunity to promote your company.
4. Customer Tracking  Are you tracking your customers?  Do you know what they do when they come to your store, visit your website or call your service reps?  Do you know the different kinds of customer information that can be captured besides sales information?  If you said “NO” to any of these then you got work to do.
5. Intellectual Property  If you do not immediately know this concept then you could be facing legal problems and not even know it.  Or you may have created something of value but have yet to protect it.  IP is powerful and scary.  It could lead your company to great riches or send it to the scrap heap.  Get some help on this one soon!