What is marketing? And, how does it impact your business?

"Marketing is about relationships, creating value, and satisfying the needs and wants of your customer" - Professor Crayton, Ph.D - South University

It's about the bigger picture - monitoring climate changes, generating leads through calculated marketing strategies that benefit the current focus of your business as well as future business. *Phew* That was a mouthful - but important.

A good marketing strategy is fluid; it addresses who your target audience is, the current market trends that will impact your business and, which platforms will produce the desired results. Most importantly, it understands that there may be market conditions that might impact your business.

It's important to have a detailed marketing plan, frequent periods of evaluation, and forward thinking that allows innovation and creativity to continue meeting your goals.

Bruce Lee once said, "...be water, my friend," and if that doesn't clearly identify the movement of market conditions and the constant shifting of trends and consumer interest, I'm not sure what will.

Marketing your business should be a synergistic component to your operation. It's an important focus and asset to your business model, but it's not the only component to an effective business strategy.

Allow yourself space to grow and learn new effective ways to market your business. Whatever you do, keep growing!

Carla Medina