It’s no secret that MSPs struggle with marketing. Some don’t see the benefit. Others “don’t have the time.” Whatever the reason is, it can hold MSPs back from building their brand and customer base.
There are a few things I want you to think about the next time you say, “I don’t have time for marketing.”
Referrals need to be supplemented with additional marketing initiatives
Years ago, MSPs had no problem acquiring leads. Their most significant lead source was referrals. While referrals are still one of the top lead sources for MSPs, they’re drying up. They’re not coming in as frequently, forcing MSPs to turn elsewhere to generate leads. An effective marketing strategy is an answer to their woes. Every marketing strategy should have goals, objectives, a well-defined audience, key performance indicators (KPIs), and a content strategy. When there’s nowhere else to go for leads, a comprehensive marketing strategy delivers them to you.
You have options
If you’re struggling to find time to focus on marketing, you’ve got some options. Hiring an employee with a background in marketing is one. Although adding another person to your payroll may seem daunting, it may be necessary if you’re too busy running your business. Before hiring someone, know what you need from them. For instance, if you’re looking to launch a podcast, find an individual who knows how to market it to your audience properly. Another option is to outsource your marketing efforts to a third-party agency.
Lastly, leverage your vendors. They may have resources you can use to market to your target audience. For example, Powered Services provides free marketing resources through our Jumpstart Program, and we also offer ongoing sales and marketing support through Powered Services Pro. You’re not alone. We’ll help you create and manage an ongoing marketing strategy, and so much more.
It’s going to take some time
Trust me, you’re going to get to a point in your business where you need more leads, but don’t wait until that moment to begin rolling out marketing campaigns. An effective marketing campaign doesn’t happen overnight. Anything you do worthwhile is going to take time. Start marketing before you expect your leads to dry up. If you don’t, you’re going to lose revenue. Keeping a healthy sales pipeline is critical to your success. Your goal should be to generate a continual flow of leads. You can’t accomplish that by referrals alone. When marketing campaigns are successful, they generate leads for you. That’s where you want to be in your business.
Weigh your options — you don’t have to do it alone — and let go of the “don’t have the time for marketing” habit. The sooner you develop a marketing strategy, the better off your sales pipeline will be in the long run.