Pause and review the evolution of marketing in the table below. Antique marketing tactics can still work but the once powerful tools of the past seem slow and clumsy. Slow and clumsy can be effective but ten times the work and more expensive. Just as the old hand saw can get the job done, the new chain saw soon puts the old woodsman out of business.
Is the true barrier of the old woodsman who sticks with the old hand saw the tool? Or is the real barrier to success related to an open mind and applying the five essentials to business success?
This table serves as a reminder and checklist for your marketing plan. This information should not inspire you to drop a marketing or communication tool because it is decades old.
Certainly do not shift 100% into the newer marketing tactics and drop the old because you are weary of the old. The successful guerrila marketing plan includes several marketing methods working in tandem and ALWAYS measures results.
First consider thie table as a marketing checklist and learn more details about the history of marketing:
Connect with Potential Customers via
|
|
Included in Your Plan? |
Methods
|
Date Originated |
|
Tradeshows | 800 AD | |
Printing Press | 1440 | |
Trade Magazines | 1731 | |
Promotional Items | 1789 | |
Fax Machine | 1843 | |
Direct Mail | 1872 | |
Telephone | 1876 | |
Mobile Phone | 1946 | |
1961 | ||
Webinars | 1989 | |
Smart Phone | 1992 | |
Tradeshows | 1994 | |
Computing |
Date Originated |
|
Personal Computer | 1950 | |
CRM Systems | 1987 | |
Tablet / IPad | 1998 | |
Marketing Automation | 1999 | |
The Web: |
Date Originated |
|
Websites | 1989 | |
Search | 1993 | |
Analytics | 1993 | |
SEO | 1997 | |
Adwords | 2000 | |
Social: |
Date Originated |
|
2003 | ||
2004 | ||
YouTube | 2005 | |
2006 | ||
Crowdsourcing | 2006 |
When you combine several offline and online marketing methods to create a synergistic plan, there is more opportunity to connect with potential buyers.
The way people communicate has already changed. Has your business adapted or are you sticking with being an antique while other businesses zoom by?