Defining a marketing budget can be a challenging process in a normal year. 2020 has brought nonstop changes, which may make the budgeting process more complex than ever before. Here are three steps to help define your 2021 marketing budget.

Your marketing strategy (the why) guides your tactics-based marketing plan (the how). The plan includes the actions you will execute to achieve your marketing goals. You have four months to achieve 2020 goals, so let the planning begin.

Your marketing strategy (the why) guides your tactics-based marketing plan (the how). The plan includes the actions you will execute to achieve your marketing goals. You have four months to achieve 2020 goals, so let the planning begin.

How many webcasts, blogs, and articles have you listened to or read that tell you [now is the time to pivot your business]? But how do you begin the process?

During a drive to the midwest, I uncovered a few ideas to help you start thinking about your future. Read how three everyday experiences - podcasts, re-openings and time with your family - can teach you to find opportunity.

The past six months have presented new challenges and provided new opportunities. The second half of 2020 is going to be different from the first half. Reflect on what you have achieved and build on those accomplishments to provide perspective for your path forward.

As we move forward in business this year, it’s important to connect with customers and ask questions to help build a sound marketing strategy. Now is the time to create a process where you continually engage with your customers and prospects.

Your customer base is your most important asset. Retaining your customers should be your priority at all times. Executing a sales and marketing strategy to maintain your customer base is critically import in rapidly changing business environments. Customer retention is your first plank in a marketing strategy.

Signage and banners are good sales opportunities, especially during COVID-19. If you don’t have wide-format capabilities, you might even want to consider partnering with a local PSP. However, when you do decide to enter a new market or provide a new service, you need to promote it and educate your customers.

Think about how this pandemic and the environment have impacted your clients and their businesses. Consider how your customers have changed, how your services can benefit customers at a time like this, and you may discover new opportunities for your printing business.

Getting used to being on video calls may take some time in this new normal. Here are a few insights that will help you get comfortable in the webcam way of life.

So often when reviewing print service provider websites, collateral as well as sales proposals, I see information about their latest device, software application, or platform — as we say, the speeds and feeds of print technology. While their operations team may have been excited when evaluating the new “must have” device, their customers, not so much.

Seven tips to help you stay sane

It’s inevitable. At some point, you may be asked — or already have been told — to work from home. This time for more than one day. It may be weeks, a month, perhaps even longer.

Download this whitepaper by Exhibit Concepts to learn how to identify your lead types, how to select the right kind of measurement technology to capture data, and defined metrics and formulas that will help you justify your trade show marketing budget.

Ten tips to help you increase lead fulfillment and protect your exhibit-marketing program in the process.
By Travis Stanton, with comments by Kimberly Meyers