At this time of the year blogs are full of “2,344 tips to improve your sales in 2010″ and “867 ways to make more money in 2010″ so I thought “Hey, what the heck – I must do a top tips posting too!”

So here are my top 5 marketing tips to make 2010 your best ever!

MARKETING TIP #1 – Join in the community

If you’re not embracing and joining in the social media frenzy then now is the time. Join in, write blogs, contribute to discussions, run shoulders with your prospects and clients online. Get to know what they are talking about and doing and you will be in a much better position to sell and market to them.

MARKETING TIP #2 – If it moves measure it!

Do you know how much you make for every £1 you invest in marketing?

Do you know how many people return to your website?

Now, more than ever before you need to measure what you do and refine, retest and modify what you do.

You cannot manage what you cant measure. You need to make every pound/dollar/effort count!

MARKETING TIP #3 – Have 4 marketing plans in place

When I say 4 plans I actually mean 1 big marketing plan split out into 4 sections.

You need to have a specific marketing plan for 4 types of people/organisations:

THOSE WHO YOU ARE GOING TO TARGET AS NEW PROSPECTS/CLIENTS (BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT)

THOSE WHO ENGAGE WITH YOU AND STALL ON DECISIONS/SAY MAYBE ETC

THOSE THAT SAY NO

EXISTING CLIENTS

MARKETING TIP #4 – Revisit your USP

Most Unique Selling Propositions are not unique at all.

Do the “So what test” on all of the key benefits and USP’s you claim for your products, services and business.

“Great service” is not a USP – it’s a given

“100% moneyback guarantee” is not a USP – it’s a given

Ask yourself “Are our USP’s really unique?”

By positioning yourself in a different way, it could really make a big difference.

MARKETING TIP #5 – Make your car a mobile university!

I worked it out the other day that I listened to 34 days worth of educational CD’s in my car in 2009!

Years ago I would listen to music CD’s or Radio 1 but today I use this “dead time” to educate myself when travelling to and from work and on my way to prospects and clients.

I don’t lose any time off work and at the same time I improve my knowledge and skills.

So less of the mind numbing chit chat and put on some CD’s that will improve your marketing, sales and organisational skills.

Follow these 5 marketing tops and make 2010 your best yet!

All the best

Sean

Sean McPheat

Marketing Consultant – Motivational Speaker – Sales Expert