Four States Small Business Blog

How Much Should You Spend on Radio in 2018?

Posted by Mark Zimmer on November 28, 2017 at 8:00 AM

As you draw up your marketing budget for 2018, you probably already know that radio is a great way to go for targeting B2B and making your mark on the airwaves.

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Topics: Marketing Strategy, Joplin Market

The Importance of a Customer Needs Analysis

Posted by Pam Larimore on November 16, 2017 at 8:00 AM

When an advertiser teams up with a media partner to help develop a marketing and advertising strategy, it’s vital for the media partner to have a thorough understanding of the advertiser’s business goals, target market, marketing budget, and competition. That means the media partner should conduct a customer needs analysis (CNA) to ensure that the recommendations they offer are relevant to the current health of the business and provide effective ways to achieve the growth the advertiser is seeking.

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Topics: Marketing Strategy

Why 2018 is the Year of 21/52 Advertising Plan

Posted by Chad Elliot on November 14, 2017 at 8:00 AM

If you find yourself avoiding the task of developing an annual marketing plan, you’re not alone. You know the new year is right around the corner, but it’s also a very busy time of year for most businesses, with the holidays approaching and end-of-year activities going on. It’s easy to view planning for next year’s advertising as too time-consuming or too expensive during a period of time when resources are stretched thin.  But consider this sobering fact:  Businesses without a marketing plan are more likely to fail.

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Topics: Radio Advertising, Marketing Strategy

Radio Works for B2B, Too

Posted by Mark Zimmer on November 10, 2017 at 8:00 AM

If you’re in the business of selling products or services to other businesses, then you’re what’s known as a B2B or Business-to-Business enterprise. Okay, so you already know this. But did you know that radio advertising works great for B2B, too?

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Topics: Radio Advertising, Marketing Strategy, Joplin Market

Don't Spread Yourself Too Thin: How to Own a Daypart or Station

Posted by Chad Elliot on November 9, 2017 at 8:00 AM

Music has always captured emotions, and by using the medium of radio for your advertising needs, you can harness the attention of a captive audience—loyal listeners—who are primed to hear your message.

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Topics: Radio Advertising, Marketing Strategy

These 3 Marketing Mistakes are Scary Bad!

Posted by Mark Zimmer on October 31, 2017 at 8:00 AM

Halloween is a truly spooky time of year that features horror movies aplenty. Yet those monsters creeping in the dark aren’t half as terrifying as certain scary mistakes in marketing. They ought to send marketers running away screaming, but just like the teens in horror flicks, unsuspecting businesses will walk straight into the jaws of doom. In today’s post, we’ve collected a trio of advertising horrors along with the tips you need to survive and avoid marketing mistakes like them for a happier, more successful Halloween.

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Topics: Marketing Strategy

Winter is Coming—4 Tips to Reach New Patients

Posted by Chad Elliot on October 25, 2017 at 8:00 AM

Winter is a great time to attract new patients to your practice. People tend to become more mindful of health issues in the winter because of concerns about the flu and the increase in colds. Your brand can stand out from the competition by letting people know you care about them and that your practice wants to help them and their families stay healthy during cold weather. In this post, we’ve put together 4 tips to help you reach new patients with your marketing for winter.

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Topics: Marketing Strategy, Advertising Creative, Health/Medical

Is Your Advertising Budget Too Low? Let's Break it Down

Posted by Mark Zimmer on October 23, 2017 at 8:00 AM

Budgeting can be very tough for Four State business owners. You calculate your monthly overhead including your lease and utilities, then get to work projecting product costs, labor costs, taxes, and now all of a sudden, you need an advertising budget.

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Topics: Small Business Resources, Marketing Strategy

Does Your Restaurant's Website Include These 4 Things?

Posted by Pam Larimore on October 19, 2017 at 8:00 AM

If you own a restaurant, you know how important having a great physical storefront and interior dining experience is to your business. However, there’s another important branding aspect that makes a huge impact in terms of how customers view your business - and that’s your restaurant website.

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Topics: Small Business Resources, Integrated Marketing, Marketing Strategy, Restaurants

People Don't Buy Products or Services—They Buy Promises

Posted by Chad Elliot on October 17, 2017 at 8:00 AM

Instead of just buying a product, most people actually buy what those products or services can do for them—what the product or services promise the customer. So, it’s important for businesses to always highlight the promises (or benefits) of their products.

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Topics: Marketing Strategy, Advertising Creative