Today's Issue
- Editor's Take: Getting the Message Across
- Ebook: Marketing Wisdom for 2007 110 Marketers and Agencies Share Real-Life Tips
- SME Special Report: 'Real' People Power celebrates its First Anniversary
- Testimonial Callout
- Events: Basic MS Powerpoint (Tuesday 30 January), FEntrepreneur Coach: Marketing Rescue (Tuesday 30 January), and Entrepreneur Coach: Marketing Rescue (Tuesday 30 January)
Here’s another helpful reading material from Marketing Sherpa’s Practical Case Studies and Know-How. Download its latest ebook titled, ‘Marketing Wisdom for 2007 110 Marketers and Agencies Share Real-Life Tips’ by the Readers of Marketing Sherpa
This is a Special Report sponsored by OMNITURE.
To download the ebook, click here!
SME Special Report: 'Real' People Power celebrates its First Anniversary
The former Philippine president, the honorable, Corazon C. Aquino is out to rally behind the 'real' people power through PinoyME movement, which marked its first anniversary and had its formal launching on January 22 held at Tiendesitas, Ortigas Center, City. The movement was formed to meet the challenge of harnessing the People Power, which in 20 years or so had remained fragile due to poverty and inequity. The need to advance the state of the Filipino nation, which is comprised of class 'D' and 'E' households by providing them the venue to raise or better their quality of living via hard and honest work, and that is micro-enterprise (ME) development.
PinoyME aims to mobilize various microfinance and micro-enterprise support services to ensure meaningful and sustainable integration of micro-entrepreneurs into the mainstream economy. Its immediate goal is to enable microfinance institutions (MFIs) to provide financial and related services to 5 million clients in depressed communities and to raise P5 Billion in capital in 5 years, which is actually called their "5-5-5" goal.
To read more, click here!
Testimonial Callout
For those who want to share their thoughts, just simply send us an email to info@sme.com.ph and place on the Subject header: SME Testimonial. The best testimonial will also be featured in our SME.com.ph Web site.
Editor's Take
A message that speaks powerfully is the very core of effective marketing. A message is like a pebble. Tossed into a pond at the right moment, it will cause ripples to form and spread far and wide across the surface.
According to Robert Middleton, an effective message should focus on a Target Audience, present a Problem with a Solution, offer Proof, and ably sell the Advantage that your solution offers over others that exist.
Focus on your Target. Before you can communicate your message, you have to know the audience that you address. Get the necessary detailed profile of your market, which includes its demographics [the basic facts, e.g., industry, geography] and as well as psychographics [e.g., values, character, interests]. A smart SME marketer fires a message like he does a well-aimed bow. Blasting away at random wastes precious resources.
Define the Problem. One person's problem is another's business opportunity. What problem or challenge exists that prospects would approach you for help? The market is always in search of things like healthy food, more durable adhesives, trendy yet durable shoes, affordable business services, stores with convenient locations and hours, and more.
Offer the Solution. What experiences did your customers expect after purchasing your products or tapping your services? What are the 'real benefits' of patronizing your products or services?
Support your claim with Proof. Happy customers are your best promoters, tap into that. Testimonials by satisfied product users are a very good vehicle to promoting your business. Publicizing a study also makes a strong case for results, especially if you company supplies industrial buyers.
Differentiate. Differentiate. Differentiate. Ask yourself what makes your brand stand out among tough competition? What makes you unique and well remembered for? Can you do things better, faster, cheaper, at odd hours? Does your brand evoke trust, reliability and a sense of security?
As SME marketers, your purpose is to get a powerful message out and help people make informed decisions. The better informed they are about your brands, the better the chances they choose you in a multitude of competing claims.
Russelle S. Trinidad
SME BizLink Editor
