SMB’s Move More to Online for Marketing Efforts

The Center for Media Research has released study that shows that small and medium businesses, or SMB’s, are relying more heavily on Internet marketing techniques like e-mail, social media and search to promote their business in 2010. Here is a quick view of some of the highlights.

Well over two-thirds of respondents report that they plan to increase their use of email marketing and social media in 2010

Email marketing continues to prove its worth to small businesses, as 96.2% plan to use email marketing in 2010

Plans reported for 2010 indicate the email marketing industry will continue to thrive next year, with 38.9% businesses of 1-10 employees and 34.1% of businesses with 11-100 employees planning to increase their email marketing by a lot in 2010

Small businesses are getting more comfortable with social media, when reporting marketing plans for 2010, 35.1% of all respondents say they plan to increase their use of social media by a little and 33.3 % plan to increase it by a lot

75% of those doing search marketing currently will continue to do so in 2010

As a result, it’s critical that the independent dealers and the manufacturers of products that are distributed through dealer networks understand why this is happening and what it means for the future.

Let’s face it, marketing and advertising are shifting more and more online every day and the trend is going to continue. The reasons are obvious but let’s review them.

1. Trackable ROI – Analytics for e-mail and search allow for business owners to tie return on investment (ROI) measurements to their efforts. No more “I think my Yellow Page ads generates business” moments.
2. Timely messaging – E-mail and search allow for the flexibility that today’s market demands. Got a sale or promotion that is ‘hot off the press’? No need to wait anymore to get it to market.
3. Time savings – Let’s face it, the small businessperson’s time is at a premium. Anything that can be done to accomplish more for the bottom line and save a few minutes in the process will endear an SMB to a manufacturer
4. True value – SMB’s need help and the manufacturers of the products they sell should work to help them sell more. It’s a win / win. Co-op and MDF efforts often go unused and as a result there is skepticism about who’s really helping whom. Get over whatever barriers there are and start to form partnerships with dealers and distributors alike.

Dealer Ignition has been created to help bridge the gap between dealer and manufacturer -distributor, retailer or agent. Call us or e-mail us to learn more.

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