​Quincunx                                         April / May ​2​018
​Marketing for Change: Marketing Design for Beginners 

​M​ost Things Don't Work!

​​Why ​is it most marketing methods don't work? ​Almost certainly, ​​you are capable of following ​your chosen method. ​​​Also, ​proven marketing methods work when applied in ​​favourable circumstances.  So, why don't they work for you?

The issue is whether you ​use the right methods for ​the stage of ​development your business is at.  ​You must do ​essential groundwork to prepare for more advanced methods. 

​​​If you are an experienced coach with proven expertise, your first priority is to package your offer so that you have something you are confident you can sell.  This is the stage where you make strategic decisions ​​to apply consistently and frequently in you​r marketing.

​​​Then you can ​work out how to market ​your business and ​sell ​your offer.  Marketing is how you get people interested in your ​business and sales is how you get them to commit to a specific offer.  Each refusal provides you with more information about what works, so that you can improve how you deliver your message.  

​​These are the first two stages of ​the business development model I ​describe in the video.  ​The model helps us understand the priorities of the stage we are at and the tools we need to complete that stage.  

​​Watch the video and read on to find out more about Marketing for Change.

Questions

​Take time to write down your answers to these questions.  If you write them down you are likely to be more thorough, have a record for future reference and something to share with others.  

  • 1
    ​What is your business origin story?  Write it down and don't worry about whether it is interesting. You can decide whether to share it later.
  • 2
    ​Write down what it would be like to reach step 5 and be an authority in your chosen business.  How ​does this possible future help you make decisions in the present?  
  • 3
    ​Think about the marketing tools you have used so far or considered using.  ​At which step in business development do you think they would be most effective?  

​Now share your answers below or else share what you have learned from answering the questions.  If you have any questions yourself, ask them here.  I shall respond to all relevant comments.

​​​Join "Marketing for Change"

Marketing is never easy, especially when you’re starting out. The number of options on offer, often expensive in time and money, is bewildering.  The truth is most marketing methods work well when applied in the context for which they were designed.  But even some of the most popular approaches were not designed for business start-ups.  Methods like search engine optimisation or email-lists are unlikely to work for you during the early stages of business development, although it may be wise to plan for implementation later.

It is possible to earn income during early stages of business growth but most marketing techniques will not deliver for you at that stage.

The early stages of your business are a great opportunity to (1) interrogate your business ideas and design a few saleable packages, (2) upgrade your business ideas so you have a transformational vision for your business and (3) design a marketing plan that works and you enjoy doing.

Your plan needs to be:

  • check
    ​Relational – the hard sell is unlikely to work for a small business because people are bombarded with marketing all the time, especially online.  The most effective approach for small businesses is to build relationships with a potential market.
  • check
    ​Transformational – you need to have a vision for the change you want to see in some aspect of society.  Your vision is a call out to others who share your aspirations.
  • check
    ​Personal – you can use the entirety of your knowledge, experience and skills to market your business.  You are more likely to enjoy your marketing ​and so come across as genuine and sincere. 
  • check
    Strategic – if you know your goals and have ideas about how to meet them, you are more likely to achieve them.  This is crucial for work-life balance.

​​​​Membership is for coaches, consultants and freelancers who are starting out or ​having trouble finding a marketing plan that works for them.  Each month we shall explore ​some aspect of relational marketing​ and take opportunities to share your journey with others, online and in-person.

​Sign up for this monthly newsletter with challenging ​questions to ​interrogate ​your business.  In addition:

  • ​​Attend a monthly lunch and learn ​to ​work on your answers with other members.  This takes place in a central Sheffield location.
  • ​​Request a 15 minute telephone conversation each month with Chris on any relevant  topic you choose.
  • ​Ask questions via email correspondence with Chris.
  • ​Opportunities to ​share your marketing ideas ​with others and receive feedback.

From time to time, I shall add new features to this membership offer.  So long as your membership is unbroken, you continue to pay at the rate you signed up at.

​If you ​received this newsletter from a friend and would like to ​become a member, book a one-to-one with me.  ​Call or text Chris Sissons on 07887 352841.

M4C Members

​This section is for participants in Marketing for Change. ​Normally, it ​features:

  • ​Answers ​members ​made to ​questions in the last newsletter.  
  • ​Members' achievements
  • ​Requests for help from other members

​M​embers' Businesses

Enter your business features below each month, adding for example, new events or offers. Remember the better people know you, the more likely they are to introduce you to good prospects.  To add your details or change something, please email me with ​your content.

Chris Sissons​Chris Sissons, Market Together


​Market Together

Market Together offers coaching to freelance business owners, who need help understanding ​marketing and how they can be effective in the marketplace.

Offers

As well as M4C, I offer coaching packages that work in depth to interrogate your business, ​upgrade your ideas and design a marketing plan that works for you.  

​Events

​Twice a month I run Telling Stories: Making Business, where business people listen to a story and provide feedback.  

​Contact Details

​Websites:  Market Together 

​                       Market Together Blog 

Telling Stories Facebook Page

Mobile: 07887 352841

Notices

Telling Stories: Making Business

​Meets every second and fourth Thursday, 12.15pm, The Rude Shipyard. There is no disabled access and so please let me know in advance if you are likely to have difficulty.  Fee is £5 to cover my costs, including the story-tellers lunch.  You ​need to order from the cafe for your lunch, too.  Here are this month's meetings:

Follow the links to find out more about each meeting and register with Eventbrite.  Registration helps me and the cafe prepare for the meeting. Visit the Telling Stories web page for the full programme, testimonials and past meetings.

This ​section shall contain details of other events of interest to the members plus details of members' events.

Your Questions Answered

​If you have any questions about marketing or M4C, text them to me and I'll ​answer them here.

In the meantime, here are some testimonials:

profile-pic
Lucy Owens Lucy Owens Coaching

Thought-Provoking Engaging Conversations

I've enjoyed attending a fascinating talk Chris did on the cornerstones of marketing at Sheffield Coaching Exchange. I then went on to have a couple of thought-provoking, engaging conversations with Chris about marketing my coaching, training and facilitation business. They've given me food for thought. Thank you.

profile-pic
Anne Goodridge A Way Forward Coaching

Helping to Clarify My Story

The written feedback from you on the questionnaire and webpages has helped me to reflect and prepare for the sessions. So for example I had thought a lot about the question of spirituality, which previously I had not. So I think this is helping to clarify my story, my offer which is great. I really enjoy the sessions.