Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1160846
W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 17 S E P T E M B E R 2 , 2 0 1 9 F O C U S S TA R T U P S / E N T R E P R E N E U R S H I P Q: What is one idea that has worked to help, brand, market or sell your product or service? " Know your niche. Don't be all things to all people. Add value. Work on the planning side. " " Communicate effectively, not just what you do but how you can help [your prospect's] business. Research the benefits to them. " " I worked at a company that sold marine parts. We had the idea to give away floating key chains; it would have our branding on one side and the vendor's branding on the other. We'd send it out with every product we sold. It cost us about $1 per. It was the right promotional material and good success for us. " " Talk through your products, what you have. " " Sometimes you need to reinvent the brand. " t a recent Mainebiz Executive Insights panel that focused on marketing startups, audience members were asked to come up with their own best- and worst-case scenarios. As you might imagine, the answers ran the gamut. Here are just a few of the responses — advice that may apply to any small business. F O C U S S TA R T S O N F O L L OW I N G PA G E » A Q: What is one mistake you have made that others should avoid? " Cold calling still works in certain markets, but it's not working the way it used to. " " I tried launching a website where I had the passion and I knew there was a market, but I jumped in too soon. You have to be thoughtful in the beginning. " " Early on I didn't listen to the people I work with [clients or prospects]. So now I'm listening and asking the right questions. " " Cold calling didn't work, but getting out and physically knocking on the door has worked. I feel that way about email as well. You have to get out there and physically meet with people. I don't want to be the squeaky wheel, but you have to get out there. Even being a member of a chamber can help you get a good list [of prospects], so that might be called luke-warm calling. " " Be realistic. Don't wait too long to make decisions. You can adjust once you make decisions. " P H O T O S / T I M G R E E N WAY At the recent Mainebiz Executive Insights Forum participants provided examples of marketing that has worked — and that hasn't.