To stay relevant in today’s market, research the latest trends, advancements, and achievements in your field. Along with staying on top of other company’s successes in the industry, study the ways other businesses fall short in reaching a specific consumer group. Stay organized with planners tailored to your specific aspirations.

Community Participation

Especially if you run a local small business, participation in community events is a crucial part of becoming a relevant part of the neighborhood. Plan time to attend important town meetings, write letters to the city newspaper and find other ways to integrate yourself into the everyday life of your neighbors. Not only does this get your brand front and center in the community, it also shows customers how important they are to your company. Local advertising, through traditional means and word-of-mouth, is essential for any small business to thrive in an involved community.

Professional Online Presence

In addition to an advertising campaign targeting your local area, through phone book ads, newspaper publicity, fliers, and other networking opportunities, a strong online promotional strategy is a must to stay relevant in the market. This includes a professional and interactive website that displays seamlessly on all types of devices. Many consumers do their research and shopping on tablets, smartphones, and other portable devices, in addition to computers. If your website does not allow users to access it on all these products, you can lose customers.

Social Media Marketing

Having a well-designed website is only the start of building a strong online presence to reach your target market and keep them engaged with your company. Social networking is an important part of interacting with current patrons, as well as drawing in potential customers. Decide which social network sites your consumers are involved with and create a business profile page to connect with them. It is essential to have someone monitor these sites frequently to post updates to stay active in the online community, as well as answer messages and address comment and concerns from visitors. Get a business planner that offers sections on creating a social media marketing strategy.

Charity Involvement

Get involved with local, national, and farther reaching charities to reach a larger number of potential customers. To stay relevant in today’s market, your company must strive for a philosophy of making its community and the world a better place for current and future generations of consumers. Donate products or services to town fundraiser events, offer monetary donations to national organizations and sponsor both smaller neighborhood foundations and larger charity drives. Choose a cause you are passionate about and use your business to make a difference in the lives of others.

Customer Feedback

The most important way to stay at the top of your field is not a new idea by any means. Listening to customer feedback, including criticisms and suggestions, has always been a vital part of a successful business plan. Offer multiple ways for consumers to share their opinions. In addition to a feedback box at your brick-and-mortar location, make it easy for online patrons to contact you with any questions or concerns. Offer quick responses to emails and social networking interactions, as well as plan online surveys and polls to research the latest trends in your industry.

With all of the innovative ways to stay relevant in the market, it is important to stay organized when planning your strategies, as well as keep your eye on the bottom line when allocating time and funds to advertising or promotional campaigns. Choose a planning method to keep your schedule, lists, business financial numbers, brand strategies and other essential company stats in one convenient space. Online databases are great for storing and comparing information with others on your team. An actual physical planner, though, is hard to beat when inspiration strikes you away from your office or electronics.

Takeaway

While so many people tend to focus on staying ahead of the curve in their respective industries, maintaining relevance is more about keeping up to date with influencers in your community while building your presence. Constantly striving to present yourself as the latest and greatest can leave you feeling burnt out. Most of the time it is better to be a consistent part of the conversation while letting your new and innovative ideas develop naturally as they come to you.

Still, consistency does take some effort. The products and blog found at Startplanner.com offer excellent ways to help keep a regular personal and professional schedule, including tending to your market relevance.