Marketing is complicated, isn’t it? Well, no – not really. It’s actually pretty simple. We lose sight of how simple it is for two reasons: first, just because it’s simple doesn’t mean it’s easy (and we tend to think of difficult things as being “complicated”). And second, technological advancements give us an overwhelming array of options – it can be hard to make sense of them all.

Marketing is simple, because there are only a few things we should be doing. But it’s also hard, because we have to figure out a way to do it better than everyone else. In that sense, it’s like running a four-minute mile: simple, but not easy. That’s why – if you want the best results possible – it’s worth putting your money where your mouth is and getting in touch with the experts.

However, expert guidance or not, there are five simple rules of marketing that we should all be following if we want our businesses to succeed – and we thought we’d share them with you:

1: Get visible!
No one chooses to spend their money on a business they don’t know exists. That means you have to be seen. Ideally, you’ll also be trusted, liked, etc. But, before everything else, you just have to make sure people know you exist.

2: Get serious!
Do you think your competitors couldn’t sell a life raft to a drowning man? If so, you need to get serious. It’s always tempting to overestimate our abilities and appeal, but your customers can go wherever they want – you need to take the competition seriously.

3: Get relatable
Here’s a universal truth: consumers go with brands they can relate to. Not everyone is an expert in your business – you need to be able to speak to laypeople. That means no jargon, and plenty of clarity, simplicity, and empathy.

4: Get current
Are you ahead of your time? Behind it? If so, that’s a kiss of death for new brands – you need to figure out where your audience is, join them there, and progress at the same speed as them.

5: Get happy (customers)
Last, but by no means least, is perhaps the golden rule of all business: make your customers happy! A happy customer is a loyal customer and, sometimes, a brand ambassador. It’s the one thing no business can do without.

So there you have it: simple! Of course, there’s a bit more to it. “Get visible” for instance, is simple – but how do you do it? Good question: you need quality copy and graphic design, keywords, targeted social media campaigns and more. Likewise, it’s easy to say “take your competition seriously” – but actually doing competitor research is difficult. That, of course, is where we come in.

If you want to discuss how we work, or explore working with us, you can contact Emma George on 01675 446101.