One of the most important lessons for small business owners and marketers to learn is how to reach the right audience with the right message at the right time. To accomplish this, you can’t simply use a “one size fits all” approach with your marketing plans. Instead, you need to be able to personalize your marketing efforts (to an extent, at least) so that you can forge a better connection with your customers.

Too often we rely on the statistics of Google Analytics and Facebook Insights. When all we really need to do to get beyond the numbers, is to actually talk to our employees, our customers and those who did not choose us as their trusted resource. Get back to basics!

Here are a few simple ways that you can personalize your marketing efforts:

• Consider what your web design says about your brand. This is an often overlooked area when it comes to personalizing your marketing, but it’s important; the look and feel of your brand online, in commercials and in other forms of advertising says far more about your brand than words ever could. It is a reflection of your brand’s personality, its values, its size and more. With one look at your website, customers should be able to tell exactly what kind of attitude your company exudes. So think about how you want your target customers to feel about your brand, and consider that with the way you design your ads and online presence.

• Ask your customers what they want. It sounds overly simple, but it’s extremely effective. Make use of surveys and polls, ask for reviews, talk to your customers on social media and more. Engage in actual conversations with your customers to figure out what they want and how you can give it to them.

• Learn from your customer service calls. What are the issues that people commonly have with your products or services? What are the best ways that you can solve those issues? The more you pay attention to customer service calls, the more you’ll be able to customize your products and your marketing so that you’re solving problems before they even happen.

• Be real. As long as your size permits, have actual people performing your customer service. Give thank you notes and discounts to loyal customers. In your advertising, tell the story of your brand in a transparent, raw way. Your company shouldn't feel like a corporate entity; it should feel like a person with its own unique personality.

What kinds of marketing are you currently engaging in, and how can Viral Solutions help? Talk to us today and we’ll be happy to work with you to personalize your marketing plan.