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Home > Marketing > Marketing Basics

Marketing Basics

Practice Makes Perfect Networking
Implement these 2 simple strategies and watch the referrals pour in.

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Editor's Picks

Rule of Thumb
Make sure your message is loud and clear by following the 10/20/30 rule of Powerpoint.

Make Customer Testimonials Meaningful
Bring out the value of your product or service with compelling user reviews.

Local Motion
Whether they’re web hits or phone calls, leads are going local with Yodle.

7 Ways to Stretch Your Marketing Budget
Stretch your marketing dollars and boost your bottom line.

Misleading Marketing Copy
You may be tempted to use them, but avoid these phrases in your advertising and marketing materials.


Expert Marketing Advice
Marketing Columnist
Get step-by-step help in developing your marketing strategies. Kim offers practical advice you can implement immediately.
More Expert Marketing Advice:
How to Create a Marketing Plan

Introduction to Creating a Marketing Plan
What is a marketing plan and why is it so essential to the success of your business? Find out here, in the first section of our comprehensive guide to creating a marketing plan.

Researching Your Market
Whether you're just starting out or if you've been in business for years, you should always stay up-to-date with your market information. Here are the best methods for finding your data.

The Ingredients of a Marketing Plan
Ready to get it all down on paper, but not sure where to put it? We'll help you with the format and elements of your marketing plan.


More Articles
The Perfect Presentation: Follow-up
In the final part of a 6-week series, you'll learn why you should follow up, regardless of how well or poorly the presentation went.

The Perfect Presentation: Appearance
In part 5 of a 6-week series, we share our tips for dressing to impress.

The Perfect Presentation: Practice
In part 4 of a 6-week series, we address what kind of practice makes a presentation perfect.

The Perfect Presentation: Speaking
In part 3 of a 6-week series, you'll learn how to deliver your material like a seasoned presenter.

The Perfect Presentation: Technology
In part 2 of a 6-week series, we address how to prevent technology from taking over--and potentially destroying--your presentation.

The Perfect Presentation: Materials
In part 1 of a 6-week series, we discuss how to create materials that will impress potential investors.

Taking Your New Product to Market
Start small and create a timeline for taking your product to national distribution.

Take Charge of Your Marketing
Don't wait until business dips to start marketing. Begin today using these 3 important principles to develop your core message.

The Trust Factor
Win your customers’ faith by learning the 5 key components of trust.

Market for Instant Sales
Cut to the chase with these tips to reach prospects who are ready to buy.

Developing a Marketing Calendar
When's the best time to develop a marketing calendar for the year? As they say, there's no time like the present.

Developing a PR Plan
Want to make sure your business's name gets heard this year? You need to plan for PR.





partner spotlight
Make Your Ads Workhorses
Tough economic times demand productive ads. Learn the 4 most critical elements for ads that get results.

Marketing Forms
Run an Effective Marketing Program
From competitor analysis worksheets to sample brand loyalty surveys, we have the forms you need to do it all:
  • Plan your promotional budget
  • Know your market research costs
  • Find your niche in the market
  • Create a brand loyalty survey
  • Evaluate the competition
  • Do a demographic survey

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