This page is for ongoing Q & A.  Ask a marketing question by adding a comment. We’ll post both your question and an answer within 24 hours for you and the world to see.

Q: Does it really matter if I make sure the e-mail addresses that I have in my database are opt-in?

A: If you do not have a proper method of opt-in for the database that you are constantly mailing to, you e-mail service provider may block you from further mailings until you do. Each company has a maxium number of spam reports ( which is usually 1 or 2% per 1000) they will except before they will shut off the database you are using .To make sure that this does not happen to you, you need to have a join my mailing list button on your webpage.  If you have an existing database, make sure that there are no role e-mail addresses ex admin @ or info@.  These addresses are red flags for the e-mail service company.

Q:We already have a target customer. What is an “ideal client”?

A: A target customer is something that you probably defined based on size, industry income level, etc. – Something you can categorize. An ideal client may have those characteristics, but your ideal client is also one who you love working with and they love working with you.  They rave about you to everyone that they know.  They pay their bills on time.  They have a problem that you are the expert in solving.

Q: I already know my “remarkable difference”, why do we need to interview my “ideal clients”?

A:We find that many of the people that we work with, have a preconceived notion of who their ideal customer is and the value that client receives from them.  In most cases, their definition came from either marketing material from the company whose products they present or a target market profile of customers that they would like to represent. You can’t make a market out of people who should need what you offer. When you interview the clients that fit the description above, you find out why they bought from you and what makes you different from your competitors.  You find out what kept them up at night prior to engaging you and how you helped them sleep!  That is your true “Remarkable Difference”.