I’ve recently become an at-home bread baker: dinner rolls, Italian loaves, cinnamon rolls, and sourdough. When I first started, I just used what I had in my kitchen to help me bake the bread. When my husband decided to invest in a few specific bread-baking tools as a gift for me, it made the process so much easier.
One tool that I love is the couche (pronounced koosh). It’s an untreated cloth that prevents sticking and supports the bread during the rise process. Using it not only helps me bake better bread, it makes it feel like a professional baker!
In the same way, using professional marketing tools for business can make a huge difference in how well your marketing turns out. Choosing the right marketing resources and tools can prevent wasting your time and effort on ineffective strategies that don’t boost sales or business growth.
I’d love to partner with you to help you bake the best possible marketing loaves! Let’s work together to ensure you are choosing the best marketing tools for your business. Book your first strategic communications and marketing business coaching session today!
What is a marketing tool?
A marketing tool is a software, platform or strategy that helps marketers achieve their objectives, just as a baker uses specific tools to create a delicious loaf of bread.
Marketing tools come in many different forms, serve many different purposes, and can be anywhere between free to thousands of dollars. Choosing the right marketing tools for your specific business needs is critical for success. But how do you know which are right for you? Knowing your options is a great place to start.
What are the four main marketing tools?
The most important marketing tool is the recipe book, or your marketing strategy. Without a great base recipe for your strategic communications and marketing efforts, you’ll end up with something that resembles a rock more than a delicious marketing loaf.
After you have your marketing recipe, choose the tools that you need to follow the recipe:
Content Creation Tools: Similar to a mixing bowl or stand mixer, these tools help create and shape marketing content. Examples include blogging platforms, graphic design software, video editing tools, and marketing tools for social media. At Crafted Voice, we use WordPress, Canva, and LinkedIn.
Analytics Tools: Like a kitchen scale or thermometer, these tools measure and track the performance of marketing campaigns. Examples include website analytics platforms, social media analytics tools, and email marketing software. There are many free digital marketing tools that fall within this category. At Crafted Voice, we use Google, LinkedIn, and Mailchimp Analytics.
Automation Tools: Similar to a bread machine, these tools automate repetitive marketing tasks, saving time and effort. Examples include email marketing automation platforms, social media scheduling tools, and customer relationship management (CRM) software. At Crafted Voice, we use Mailchimp, LinkedIn, and Calendly.
Advertising Platforms: Like a commercial oven, these platforms provide the means to reach a target audience. Examples include Google Ads, Facebook Ads, and Instagram Ads. At Crafted Voice, we use Outbrain.
What is the most effective marketing tool?
When reviewing a marketing tools list, ensure you first look at the recipe. Your recipe, or marketing strategy, is the most effective tool by far. It dictates the ingredients you need, the tools you should use, and the activities you should be conducting.
Your marketing recipe should include data-driven customer personas, brand voice guidelines, a competitive and market analysis, customer journeys, and an editorial calendar. Together these tools make up marketing strategies for small business that are strategic, effective, and allow room for flexibility and adjustment as the market changes.
How to choose a marketing tool?
Choose your marketing tools by closely reading your marketing recipe (your strategy). Don’t make the rookie mistake of adding 1 cup of baking soda when your recipe only calls for 1 teaspoon…I did that with sugar cookies when I was 10-years-old. Worst thing I’ve ever tasted! Let your marketing strategy guide you towards the right tools, and pay attention to the specifics. The right tools, when used effectively, can significantly enhance the success of marketing campaigns.
Are you using the right marketing recipe?
Using the right marketing recipe is the key to success for baking marketing activities that produce results. If you aren’t sure if your marketing strategy is setting your business up for success, I’d love to serve as your guide. I will make sure you have every element in place, are reading the recipe correctly, and choose the marketing tools that are best for your business.