Most people use the words advertising and marketing interchangeably - but they are NOT the same! This subtle misunderstanding is hazardous to your business. You may be neglecting important opportunities and preventing your growth!
So what is the difference?
Advertising is what you spend money on to promote your business, such as direct mail postcards, radio ads, TV commercials or ads in the yellow pages and is included in marketing. But marketing is so much more - covering everything that goes into the transaction between you and your clients. This includes everything from the personality of your staff to your business's Facebook page. Any way your client interacts with your business is covered under marketing.
Most insurance agents know they need to advertise, but often they forget to market! But doing both is crucially important.
So, what does that really mean for your business?
Apply these 3 proven marketing techniques (along with standard advertising like direct mail postcards) to pull in new customers.
1. Review & overhaul your website
In most cases, your website is your first impression, so it better be a good one. I've found 90% of prospects will visit your website before they call you for an appointment.
It is important to have a unique, professional site, so potential clients remember you after comparing you with other insurance agents. Review your current site and ensure it reflects your other advertising efforts and messages. If it's not up to par, contact a credible web design firm. Make sure they show you samples of their work based on your desires and goals.
Is your website up to par? To check and see what you may need to change about your website go to the free "10 Tips for Turning Your Website Into a Golden Goose". Check for the hyperlink below.
2. Get social
Social media is the most affordable way to build relationships with clients and increase the lifetime value of your clients.
The startup process may seem overwhelming at first, but it's not if you have the right guide. Use the free 5 Super Easy Tips to Get Social ASAP to simplify the process and lay the foundation for your social media strategy. You can check for the hyperlink below.
3. Publish an informative eNewsletter
By creating an area on your website to collect email addresses, you can follow up with leads by sending a newsletter. An eNewsletter establishes you as a trusted information source and gives you the chance to offer free tips and discounts to your clients and prospects.
Staying in touch with clients and prospects ensures they remember you the next time they reevaluate their policies. Work with your marketing firm to develop a weekly or monthly eNewsletter and consistently send out to your email list.
Marketing works hand in hand with advertising to bring the maximum number of new clients into your business. Advertising brings in new potential clients while marketing closes the deal by providing a consistently positive brand image for your business and follow-up system.
Author Resource:
Joy Gendusa founded PostcardMania in 1998 with a phone, computer and no capital investment. PostcardMania is one of the nation's most effective postcards marketing companies specializing in lead generation for small to large-sized businesses. They have been featured on the Inc. 500 and 5,000 lists and offer complete direct mail marketing campaigns with graphic design, printing, mailing list acquisition, mailing services, website development and email marketing services — all while continuing to educate clients with free marketing advice. PostcardMania serves more than 40,000 customers in over 350 industries printing over 4 million postcards every week.
Get the free guide for 5 Super Easy Tips to Get Social ASAP here.
To check and see if your website is up to par go to 10 Tips for Turning Your Website Into a Golden Goose
Need help executing or coming up with an effective advertising and marketing program? Talk to a marketing consultant by calling 1-800-628-1804.
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.look4articles.com/images/icon_Rss.png "XML Feed For RSS"){kind=icon}
Category Rss Feed
Print This Article
Add To Favorites
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.look4articles.com/images/rss.jpg "XML Feed For RSS")