Is your marketing giving your sales the boost it deserves?

The marketing rule of 7 states that a potential customer must see a message at least 7 times before being provoked to take action. 

So how are you getting this message across, a minimum of seven times no less?

Some low-cost ways to market include: 

• Be sure to use Social Media Marketing

• Start a blog on your website 

• Online directories – like Google Business and Yelp

• Implement an Email Marketing campaign

• Create a referral campaign 

• Attend local business networking events

• Collaborations and Cross-Promotions

• Encourage your customers to share their experiences

• Implement a loyalty program 

With all these marketing techniques you are on your way to sales success. Continue reading to find out if your next step should be AI. 

From creating campaigns to engaging customers, AI can help you improve marketing effectiveness while also saving time and resources.

New This Week (03 October 2023)

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LISTEN: Running A Business In A Changing Environment

How to Make Meetings More EffectiveEffective meetings are essential for productivity and collaboration in any organization, here are some ways to get the most out of yours.  

Supercharge your meetings by:

• Having a clear goal for the meeting.

• Inviting only those who are necessary.

• Choosing the right meeting platform or software

• Creating an inclusive atmosphere. 

• Having all documents you may need, like business reports on hand.

For the full list of effective meeting tips and how best to implement them, see below.

Documents You Need When Applying for FundingRegardless of where you plan on applying for funding, you will need to supply some supporting documents. From financial documents like cash flow projections, latest annual financial statements, VAT statements and bank statements.Business documents like company registration documents, lease agreements, shareholder agreements and all relevant business licenses; accreditations or registrations. You will also need the application forms to ensure your funding application is aligned with the type of funding opportunities the funders are looking for.

Lights, Camera, Action: Spark Magic with TikTok BusinessTikTok, the wildly popular short-form video platform, has rapidly evolved into a powerhouse for businesses. Its engaging and creative content format makes it a perfect space to showcase your brand and connect with a broader audience. Here's how TikTok Business can help supercharge your small business:

•  Reach a Massive Audience: With over 11 million active users in South Africa, TikTok provides a vast and diverse audience eager to discover new products and services. It's an ideal platform to extend your reach and gain brand exposure.

• Creative Expression: TikTok encourages creativity, allowing you to craft unique, engaging content that resonates with your target audience. Creative storytelling is at the heart of TikTok, enabling you to showcase your brand personality effectively.

• Trend Utilization: Stay on top of trends within your industry and harness them to boost your visibility. TikTok trends spread like wildfire, and by participating in relevant challenges or using trending sounds, you can capture the audience's attention effortlessly.

• Innovative Advertising Tools: TikTok Business offers a range of advertising tools, such as in-feed ads, branded hashtags, and branded effects, enabling you to tailor your campaigns and reach your desired audience effectively.

• Engagement and Interaction: Build a strong community by actively engaging with your audience through comments, duets, and live streams. Foster a genuine connection with your customers and encourage user-generated content for a more authentic brand experience.

Don't miss the chance to tap into the incredible potential that TikTok Business offers for your business. Embrace the creativity, innovation, and wide-reaching impact this platform can bring to your brand. Ready to take your small business to the next level with TikTok Business? Let's dive into the exciting world of short-form video content and drive your business growth! Stay innovative, stay inspired.

How Much to Charge for Your Services 

Figuring out how much to charge can be tricky, from overcharging and ending up losing jobs to undercharging and ending up cheating yourself, there are many things to consider, like time invested and even inflation. Download this SME South Africa Resource to find out the best way to calculate how much you need to charge for your services. The guide will show you how exactly to factor in the production costs and get the best price for your time, it also links to professional services to assist with figuring out your cost.