The Revenue Growth Habit

Effective marketing doesn't need to be expensive or complicated—it just needs to resonate with your customers and make your offerings their first choice.

1. Effective Marketing is Simple and Affordable

Marketing doesn't have to drain your resources or involve overly complex strategies. Instead, the focus should be on clear communication tailored to your audience. Expensive, flashy ads often fail because they aim for style over substance. Instead of impressing clients with big budgets, you can see better results by ensuring your marketing addresses your customers' direct needs and pain points.

Simple tactics like email marketing are highly impactful. Tools such as MailChimp allow you to segment and reach out to your audience with tailored messages, maximizing your efficiency. These methods often outperform newer, trendier channels like social media, especially in business-to-business contexts. The clarity and directness of email, for instance, allow you to focus on specific benefits and solutions that align with the client’s needs.

Avoid falling into the trap of creating "artsy" ads that confuse your potential customers. Instead, focus on making your messages straightforward. Whether it’s through email, a website, or a flyer, simple, focused communication saves you time, effort, and money while producing tangible results.

Examples

• Large companies spend millions on TV commercials that fail to mention product benefits, but smaller firms thrive by highlighting solutions their products offer.
• Tailored email campaigns can generate significant engagement with minimal cost.
• An entrepreneur moves away from social media likes and instead uses emails to directly inform potential customers about her unique consulting services.

2. Harness the Power of Client Testimonials

Testimonials are a goldmine for authentic customer trust that can drive sales. Customers trust the opinions of people they see as peers rather than the lofty claims of advertisers. Positive reviews or testimonials give your product credibility in a way no marketing department can replicate.

Simple tactics can help you collect testimonials without much effort. After completing a sale, ask customers about their experiences. Use specific, focused questions like, "How has this product improved your day-to-day operations?" By doing so, you're gathering real feedback about your product's value, which resonates more than generic praise.

When you share testimonials, make them visible in places like your website, email campaigns, or print marketing. These firsthand accounts act as a voice of authenticity that potential customers are likely to trust.

Examples

• A boutique gym leverages video testimonials of happy clients losing weight, boosting its memberships.
• A software company asks customers to highlight specific efficiency improvements in production through its system.
• A lawyer collects client success stories for her website, boosting inquiries.

3. Revive the Personal Touch with Phone Calls

Despite our digital age, personal connectivity still reigns supreme. A quick, friendly call from a business owner or executive can transform how clients view your company. It shows your customers that they are valued as individuals, not mere identifiers in a database.

Calls don’t have to be lengthy or overplanned. As simple as a thank-you for a recent purchase or a brief check-in after service delivery can build a bond. These phone calls help set you apart from the competition and encourage repeat business.

More importantly, it reinforces trust. If a potential issue arises, a customer will feel more comfortable seeking resolution with someone who took the time to check on them.

Examples

• A small tech firm checks in via phone after training sessions, securing long-term contracts.
• A restaurant owner calls repeat customers on their birthdays for a personalized greeting.
• A hotel manager cheerfully follows up with guests post-stay, resulting in glowing online reviews.

4. The Enduring Power of Handwritten Notes

Handwritten notes may seem outdated, but they deliver a level of personalization and thoughtfulness that digital communication can't match. They stand out because recipients recognize the time and effort it takes to write something by hand.

Simply sending thank-you cards or follow-up letters after a sale can leave lasting impressions, ensuring customer loyalty. Clients see this as a rare and cherished form of communication, strengthening their commitment to your business.

The uniqueness of a well-penned note lies in its impact. Rarely do people receive handwritten letters anymore, which makes the sentiment behind the act even more memorable and effective.

Examples

• A realtor sends personalized "thank you for buying" notes to homebuyers.
• A freelance designer thanks loyal clients with a written holiday card.
• An automobile dealership uses celebratory notes for customers hitting year anniversaries.

5. Use Newsletters to Showcase Your Offerings

Even loyal customers often don’t realize the full range of services you offer. Newsletters solve this problem by keeping your offerings top of mind and consistently showcasing the breadth of your business.

An effective newsletter combines three elements: relevant articles, client testimonials, and product promotions. Articles provide industry insights, testimonials reinforce trust, and promotions create immediate action opportunities. Used strategically, these newsletters can turn passive clients into repeat buyers.

By sending them regularly, customers begin associating your brand with expertise and practical value. It becomes a small but powerful way to turn small interactions into bigger sales opportunities.

Examples

• A consulting firm sends monthly tips on business optimization alongside promotions for workshops.
• A print shop includes client compliments in newsletters paired with discounts on bulk orders.
• A local bakery promotes new items while reminding customers about catering services.

6. Reach Wider Audiences Through Webinars

Webinars maximize exposure by capitalizing on digital convenience while strengthening trust. A webinar lets you actively demonstrate how your products benefit customers, ensuring clarity and appeal.

These videos don’t require a large production budget. Simple tutorials filmed via your phone can serve as both educational tools and marketing content. On platforms like YouTube, these webinars reach even broader audiences, helping define you as an expert in your field.

By hosting webinars, businesses provide real value through advice, tips, or demonstrations, leading to better relationships with their audiences.

Examples

• A chef teaches baking techniques while subtly promoting his spice line.
• A tech company simplifies software tutorials to attract inexperienced users.
• A consultancy teaches budgeting tips while subtly selling premium services.

7. Host Memorable Events to Build Bonds

Events are an active way to develop relationships with loyal and new clients alike. Combining education with live interaction makes for a unique experience your clients will appreciate.

Inviting your top customers to special gatherings or participating in trade shows can create buzz around your brand. These special events also convert attendees into advocates, spreading the word about your business.

Even small-scale dinners or open houses have the same effect—creating a personal face-to-face link that email or ads can't replicate.

Examples

• A pet grooming studio invites regular clients to a “new tricks” workshop.
• A car dealership hosts drive-along events for its top models.
• A publishing house does author talks to strengthen media attention.

8. Consistency is Key: Market Regularly

Consistency in your outreach helps ensure your product stays fresh in clients' minds. Marketing is not a one-time effort but a repeated process that constantly reminds people of your business.

Daily steps, whether preparing email drafts, arranging webinars, or delivering pitches, add cumulative results. Even small, consistent tasks build momentum.

Don’t overly focus on perfection. Instead of waiting for flawless execution, get started and refine your process along the way.

Examples

• A small store grows its reach via consistent weekly client emails.
• A firm evolves campaigns quickly by releasing small bits while gathering customer feedback.
• A repair service always answers inquiries within hours, improving reputation.

9. Immediate Action is Better than Deliberation

Success often depends upon acting quickly. Many businesses delay marketing due to overthinking the perfect strategy, but action leads to progress and refinement later.

There’s revenue waiting, and every day spent hesitating is money missed. Whether rough outlines for a newsletter or simple product descriptions for emails, beginning imperfectly avoids stagnation.

Use accountability tools or set deadlines to push yourself toward quick action rather than allowing perfectionism to stall your momentum.

Examples

• A restaurant's underwhelming marketing campaign still results in surprising foot traffic.
• A startup launches its webinar early, improving with audience feedback.
• A retail brand boosts early sales even after a small glitch-filled mobile app launch.

Takeaways

1. Create a habit of calling one client per day to check in and thank them for their business.
2. Write three handwritten thank-you notes each week to your top customers.
3. Outline and send your first newsletter by the end of the month, even if it’s not perfect.