Top 10 Small Business Marketing Tips of 2011
It’s that time of year again, when we look back at all the Clear Thought posts in 2011 to see which have been our ten most read articles, as measured by unique page views via Google Analytics.
We have three non movers in this year’s list, including one that’s now made our top 10 for three years running. Drum roll please… here they are…
1. How much should you pay a marketing consultant
A non-mover from last year, what to pay whom for marketing advice is obviously a key question for small business owners out there. This post from Bryony Thomas gives a quick rundown of what you can expect to get for your money. Please note that this article was written in 2009, but is still there or there abouts we think.
2. How to write a marketing brief
This clear guide from Cheryl Crichton is another non-mover and has been second on this list for three years running. Just shows that solid, straightforward, advice is always popular. And again, we’ve checked it over and the advice given here is as good as it ever was.
3. How to structure brand guidelines
A first for this list, a guest post that’s made our top ten. This one from Andy Fuller at DesignBull gives a useful insight into what you need in a set of brand guidelines and why. He also gives you a real life example based on a Clear Thought project undertaken with him for Relevant Risk.
4. How to structure your marketing budget
Money. It’s a key topic for any small business. This article from Bryony Thomas is based on a key chapter in her forthcoming book and provides a clear three step approach to putting together an effective small business marketing budget – however big the pot of cash at your disposal.
5. 10 signs that your business needs strategic marketing advice
For a second year running this post from Bryony Thomas highlights ten tell-tale symptoms to look out for that indicate that your small business should consider getting some professional advice from a strategic marketer.
6. How to achieve your business goals
Another guest post making it into our top ten this year. This time from Heather Townsend with excellent advice on making those goals you’ve set yourself a reality. Perfect for any small business owner who has set themselves some ambitious targets for 2012.
7. The rule of three in marketing
This post from Laura Champion take a look at how the ‘rule of three’ works in building effective small business marketing programmes. An important concept to grasp if you’re to make the most of your marketing efforts.
8. Was it worth it?
A surprise for us in the top ten, this post from Bryony Thomas is a review of a ‘pay what you think it’s worth’ pricing experiment undertaken by Clear Thought.
9. How to remember not to forget
Another classic from Cheryl Crichton. Again, straightforward and practical tips that any small business can put into practice to make the most of their marketing activity for the year ahead.
10. Are you too busy for marketing?
A third guest post in our top ten. This one, from Lee Cottier at Think Productive, gives some simple tips on freeing up time for marketing and helping you to keep up the momentum needed to make the most of what you’re putting out there.
I’m personally thrilled that you’ve continued to enjoy, use and share our blog posts in 2011, and we look forward to giving you more essential small business marketing tips and advice in 2012. Thank you all for taking the time to read and respond.
Please do use the comment function below if there are any specific marketing questions you’d like us to address next year.
By Bryony Thomas | Chief Clear Thinker | Clear Thought Consulting Ltd | @bryonythomas | www.clear-thought.co.uk
Clear Thought Consulting works with small businesses, equipping them with the marketing strategies, suppliers, skills and set-up that they need to become bigger businesses. We do this by planning and delivering 12-month marketing transformation programmes – supporting a small business through a step-by-step process to making marketing pay. We firmly believe that when you can’t out-spend your competition, you have to out-think them.
Published on 3 January 2012
