In this post, I want to provide you more free information. Last week included questions in regard to sales. This week includes three questions (of many) that you should be asking yourself in regards to marketing.
This process demands that you reflect on where you are as a marketer. A marketer is defined by www.Freedictionary.com as “one that sells goods or services in or to a market, especially one that markets a specified commodity.” We all are trying to sell goods and services, right? Answer = yes.
Oh, yeah, one other thing. Please remember that sales and marketing are two different things. Here is my shorthand way to help you remember the difference: The marketing team sets up the game plan for sales...and the sales team works to execute the marketing plan. They must work together—with feedback going back and forth—all the time. So, let’s get to it.
- What is it that your company does best? What would your newest employees say? Your longest term employees say? Would the answers be the same?
a. Ryan’s Remark: Marketing is about consistency. Thus, such responses should be consistent. Look for the gap between the two responses to see what may need to change internally so that you can market better externally. - How would your customers describe/define you?
a. Ryan’s Remark: Your brand is defined by what clients say about you, not what you say. Have you conducted a succinct customer survey to obtain concrete results of where you are in their eyes? Obtaining this information gives you data to better communicate your marketing message. - What does your ideal customer of 2014 and beyond look like? And why?
a. Ryan’s Remark: Remember that marketing sets up sales and, without such a “marketing research” process, it is likely our efforts will be disjointed. People like the “branding” part of marketing, but forget the research part. To define this customer, we need all parts of the company involved (production, customer service, financial, executives and sales). This will give us a 360-degree picture.
Ok, so this should get you started. Please do not fret if you feel overwhelmed by these questions. The first step is to begin pondering them. And, oftentimes your answer will be—I don’t know. The second step is to start doing something about them.
- Categories:
- Business Management - Marketing/Sales

Ryan T. Sauers has spent nearly 30 years running, leading or consulting with printing, graphics, promotional and visual communications-related organizations. Sauers is CEO of two companies, Sauers Consulting Strategies LLC and End Resultz Inc. that among other things, owns magazines and is a media firm. Key areas of focus of the firms include sales training, marketing strategy, personal branding, leadership development and organizational change.
Sauers is a frequent national speaker and columnist. He has been recognized as one of the top 80 CMOs globally and achieved the top designation of Certified Marketing Executive through Sales and Marketing Executives International.
Sauers is an adjunct university professor teaching leadership and communication courses to current and aspiring leaders. He is a Certified Myers Briggs, DiSC and Emotional Intelligence Practitioner (one of few in the U.S. to achieve all three rigorous certifications related to human communications, personality and behavior).
Sauers has completed his doctoral-level coursework in Organizational Leadership and is now (ABD - All But Dissertation) working on his dissertation on why some entrepreneurs and small businesses achieve initial and long-term success, whereas countless others do not.
Sauers is the host of the Marketing Matters radio show in Atlanta that later becomes a global podcast. He also is the host of the Community Connections TV show that comes out in video and podcast form. Sauers is the author of the best-selling books, Everyone is in Sales, and Would You Buy from You? More info at RyanSauers.com or call (678) 825-2049 or email Ryan@RyanSauers.com