Are you satisfied with the results you're getting from your marketing efforts? Considering all the money businesses sink into advertising, it's unfortunate that those great expenditures—not to mention all that hard work—don't always yield returns. That's why it's crucial that your marketing campaigns are deliberate, backed by research, and executed as planned.

On this week's "best of" episode of Stay Paid, you'll find some of the best pieces of marketing advice shared on the show over the last 12 months.

Episode 19 – Develop a Marketing Budget That Works Full episode:

https://remindermedia.com/podcast/ep-19-develop-a-marketing-budget-that-works/

Key Point: Marketing isn't always cheap, but it's an investment.

Think of your marketing budget as an investment in the future of your business. If you're working a commission-based job, your marketing budget should be about 10% of your gross commission income, or GCI. (This may be even higher in your first year, as you need to spend money to get your name out there.) If you're worried you might not make your marketing budget back, bank the money you'll need to spend today, so that you can go into the year with confidence.

Episode 24 – Scale Your Business with Growth Hacking Full episode:

https://remindermedia.com/podcast/ep-24-scale-your-business-with-growth-hacking/

Key point: Find the most important thing customers value about your business.

Out of all the transactions you've done this year, do you know what clients have appreciated it the most? ReminderMedia used small data (interactions with clients) to shape our overall presentation and our sales pitch process. Survey your clients and find out exactly why they chose you, how they felt through the process, and possibly even how you can improve. If you're failing and don't know why, you won't be successful.

Episode 30 – The Value in Relationship Marketing Full episode:

https://remindermedia.com/podcast/ep-30-the-value-in-relationship-marketing/

Key point: The deals you've already closed will provide the framework for future deals.

Instead of being in a transactional mindset, focus on relationships. Building a relationship with someone now is going to earn you business later. A study found that 70% of real estate clients will forget the name of their agent a year later. Don't be a part of that statistic. Instead, develop a CRM to catalog your clients, and then use it to keep in touch with them. You never know when they might need your services again.

Episode 34 – Leave Your Mark with an Impression Piece Full episode:

https://remindermedia.com/podcast/ep-34-leave-your-mark-with-an-impression-piece/

Key point: Leave a sticky asset that is useful to customers and reminds them of your business.

Your brand isn't just your logo—it's also how people perceive you. When you leave your closed deal behind, what do you leave with the client to ensure that you stay top of mind? Your business card likely won't be held onto. Give them a sticky asset, which is often a tangible item they won't throw away. Make sure the impression piece you choose reminds people of your business, but is also relevant and useful to the person you're leaving it with.

Visit our website to get more resources and back episodes! https://remindermedia.com/podcast/

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Visit www.remindermedia.com to generate more referrals and repeat business.