It structures the advice around what % to spend depending on your situation, such as:
If you want to grow next year
If you showing signs of decline
If you’re launching a new offer
How even to figure out your baseline
It's based on averages across various industries, so naturally use it as a starting guide. Tweak what works for you based on your numbers and historical business activity.
My question to you: are you limiting your growth potential due to limited marketing budget? Apply for marketing funding to create more potential!
#2 List of B2B client/customer interview questions
The best way to create marketing that engages and converts is by talking to your ideal clients. No other way around it. You wanna attract people? Gotta ask them questions to figure out where you fit in their world.
So coming across the Definitive List of B2B Customer Interview Questions was like wandering into an all-you-can-eat ramen buffet for an audience research nerd like me. Some nuggets include how to ask about:
Their roles and responsibilities (so you know where you fit as a solution).
Buying triggers (so you know when they’re ready for you).
Solutions and outcomes (so you can craft amazing testimonials and case studies).
Note it refers to "customers" but the majority of the article is still applicable to us who have "clients".
My question to you: have you considered
using social media or email marketing as a way to ask questions of your audience? There’s marketing gold right under your nose!
#3 Learn about theIndigenous territories, treaties, and languages in your area
Want to understand and reflect on the Indigenous aspects of where you live/work/play? Native-land.ca "strives to map Indigenous lands in a way that changes, challenges, and improves the way people see history and the present day. We hope to strengthen the spiritual bonds that people have with the land, its people, and its meaning."
The world map lets you organize by territory, treaties, and languages. You can then click for historical documents and external links of First Nation websites to deepen your understanding and your relation to the ongoing story of Indigenous people.
My questions to you: do you
reflect on how your brand fits in your wider community? Even if you don’t have a physical location, what sort of space do you occupy? What causes and effects does your brand create? Who could you connect with to create more good in your area?
#4 That DMARC thing for email marketing is due soon; here’s someone who can help
Remember that Gmail/Yahoo thing I mentioned in my last newsletter? Where they’re gonna want you (yes, you) to have DMARC set up?
No matter what email platform you have, how many or little emails you send, or who your DNS is hosted with... it most likely applies to you. And it's gotta be done by Feb 1st.
Well shit, eh? Good news: I know the PERFECT person who can help. Ruth of Techity Consult is an Ottawa-based tech support consultant who truly loves and supports small biz.
She had my DMARC all set up in under an hour at an affordable rate. Her personality and customer service are top-notch. No condescending tone. No jargon flying over your head. Just an easy-going woman who gives
a damn about your tech working as it should.
I think you'll love her. If you end up connecting, tell her Alison K sent ya!
Darlin’, you're not alone on your marketing journey
Feel like you're the only one facing certain marketing challenges? You’re not alone! Here are some recent conundrums, quandaries, and head-scratchers I helped clients get unstuck from:
Deciding which type of content to produce on LinkedIn to attract ideal clients.
Ensuring an email sequence hits all stages of the "client buying journey".
What to do when you discover a new audience that has huge revenue potential (and what to do about the current one you’ve been focused on for so long).
Getting comfortable with "being yourself" online in a way that feels safe and attracts clients.
If any of these resonate with you, let’s have a free 30 minute chat. You don’t have to make all these decisions on your own. And if I can help, we can create marketing magic in as little as an hour together.
Alison K Consulting, 3271 Agricola Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3K4H4, Canada
