What business owners can learn from President -elect Obama-Part Two

Campaign Tip#2:  Targeted Marketing

President-elect Barack Obama used sophisticated targeting techniques across 18 battleground states.  Not only did he capitalize off his grass roots experience and superb volunteer efforts, Obama also used the Internet in ways no other candidate has before.  He used Facebook, Twitter and other high tech methods to target one of his key audiences:  the young, college educated population.  Obama knew the key target audience he had to penetrate and he honed in on it with a laser like focus. He never deviated from that plan. That's the same type of focus you need as a business owner.  Know who you are trying to target and then figure out the best way to get your message across.  Having a clear cut marketing plan can make or break any business.

What small businesses can learn from Barack Obama

By now...the historic election of Barack Obama as the next President of the United States is old news. Television stations across the country have returned to their regular formats as the country braces for the next big story...The Inauguration.

In the meantime, however, the in-depth analysis of President-elect Obama's very successful campaign continues. How did a man who was virtually unknown as little as four years ago win the hearts of millions of Americans to become our Nation’s 44th President?

That’s a question that will be asked time and time again. The answers can provide valuable insight for small business owners...lessons that can pay off big. The proof was in the pudding and we all saw it happen on Election Day. Now, let’s see what it can do for you. For the the next several posts, I will point out three key Obama campaign strategies that can catapult your business to the next level. Now, let’s get started.

Lesson 1: Consistency: Throughout his two and a half years on the campaign trail...President-elect Obama stayed deliberate and consistent in his messaging. Two words he used over and over again were ‘hope’ and ‘change’. He never wavered from this message. Despite ridicule and opposition, Obama stayed on course. So much in fact, that Senator McCain also jumped on the ‘change’ bandwagon during the end of his campaign.

As a business owner, you too have to keep your master plan in the forefront of your mind. Be consistent, focused and repetitive. Don’t be afraid to repeat yourself, chances are you haven’t stated your message enough anyway. In sales calls, representatives have to repeat their core messages at least 7 times before it actually sinks in to the minds of their clients or customers. Consistency is key to getting your point across.

Stay tuned for Campaign Tip #2.