{ "version": "https://jsonfeed.org/version/1", "user_comment": "This feed allows you to read the posts from this site in any feed reader that supports the JSON Feed format. To add this feed to your reader, copy the following URL -- https://businessinaction.com/tag/marketing/feed/json/ -- and add it your reader.", "home_page_url": "https://businessinaction.com/tag/marketing/", "feed_url": "https://businessinaction.com/tag/marketing/feed/json/", "title": "Business In Action", "items": [ { "id": "https://businessinaction.com/leadership/smart-business-moves-for-vacation-season/", "url": "https://businessinaction.com/leadership/smart-business-moves-for-vacation-season/", "title": "Smart Business Moves for Vacation Season", "content_html": "

Daydreams of warm, sandy beaches or mountain escapes are enough to inspire many entrepreneurs to depart the office for a much-needed vacation.

\n

These breaks may seem especially timely if your industry experiences a significant slowdown in summer. But for truly growth-focused small businesses, these quiet weeks offer golden opportunities\u2014with competitors on vacation or running with a skeleton crew of employees, it\u2019s your chance to kick your business into high gear. The following strategic actions can help you build momentum now so you can sprint ahead of them by the time fall arrives.

\n
\"\"
\n

\n

Analyze the competition

\n

Take advantage of this often slow period to conduct a thorough, unbiased analysis of your rivals\u2019 current market position, reviewing their social media activity from the past few months to spot any gaps. What are their customers complaining about in reviews? Which services do they explicitly fail to offer? Such competitive intelligence is invaluable since you can use it to develop new service offerings or marketing messages that directly address what their customers are missing. You may be able to convince these relevant leads to change their allegiance to your business.

\n

Reinforce your customer relationships

\n

Because many clients are on break themselves, the last thing they may want is to hear a sales pitch. Instead of being blatantly salesy in your messaging, turn transactional relationships with customers into more loyal partnerships. For example, send targeted emails and text messages that offer summer greetings or helpful information like market details and enticing discounts (e.g., a quick, free consultation to plan their needs for the upcoming quarter). Such friendly gestures can strengthen their commitment to your business, remind customers of your consistent presence, and spark valuable conversations that your competitors could miss.

\n

Gather feedback

\n

This is some of the most impactful dialogue you can have with your clients. Every owner believes they understand what their customers want, but a slow period offers you the chance to move beyond assumptions and discover the truth through honest, unfiltered feedback. Set up a request for comments on your social pages, and consider emailing recent customers to get in touch or post reviews for constructive criticism. Ask open-ended questions like \u201cWhat did we do well?\u201d and \u201cWhat is one thing we could do to improve your experience?\u201d Look for trends; the insights you gather should directly influence your upcoming growth plans.

\n
\"\"
\n

\n

Create engaging content

\n

Your competitors\u2019 marketing may be on autopilot, relying on things like prescheduled posts. Your strategy should be to do the opposite, flooding the digital space with high-value, eye-catching content that makes your brand stand out\u2014think infographics displaying industry trends, summer-themed tours of your office and team, and quick-tip videos that solve common customer pain points. Scheduling such content will capture the attention of scrollers who are tired of your competitors\u2019 automated communications.

\n

Streamline processes

\n

The biggest enemy of a small business is inefficiency, which can manifest in such money drains as wasted manhours and slowed delivery times. Identify some of the most tedious and repetitive tasks in your business, whether it\u2019s client onboarding, invoice follow-up, or something else entirely. Review the steps of each of these workflows, then research and implement affordable automation tools, such as CRM integration, email sequencing, and/or AI solutions, to streamline them. By fall, you\u2019ll have gained hours of valuable time to focus on more revenue-generating activities.

\n
\"\"
\n

\n

Plan your fall strategies

\n

Autumn\u2019s colors, holidays, and much-anticipated scenery are full of marketing potential. To get ahead of that season and leverage its festivities, plan some appealing initiatives in advance. For example, you could host a pumpkin patch and serve fresh cider at a networking event or theme your social media posts around fall activities like foliage sightings. Additionally, budget now to promote appealing specials you can hold in fall, like a Halloween \u201cSpooktacular\u201d with free first consultations or 10 percent off slow-moving products. Making these efforts early can give you a leg up over competitors who may fail to lay out fall strategies sufficiently early.

\n

Upskill your team

\n

Your people are your greatest asset. While your competitors\u2019 teams are short-staffed during summer, use this quiet time to invest in yours, highlighting growth. Arrange targeted, skill-based training sessions between employees\u2019 vacation days, like seminars on new industry best practices or customer service role-playing based on recent feedback. These initiatives will not only improve their skills but also boost their morale\u2014and maybe even their retention\u2014especially if you listen to their own training requests. Take every opportunity to enrich your team\u2019s talent and engagement, and you can better contend with your rivals.

\n

Keep in mind that even if you are also vacationing this summer, you can still implement these strategies once you return. The key is to strike while the iron (and season) is hot. Use this time wisely, and you\u2019ll have the chance to make foundational changes and strategic moves that will set your business apart in the long term.

\n
\n

TAKE ACTION:
\nSet aside time for these efforts, starting with the ones that best suit your current priorities.

\n
\n

\n

\n

The post Smart Business Moves for Vacation Season appeared first on Business In Action.

\n", "content_text": "Daydreams of warm, sandy beaches or mountain escapes are enough to inspire many entrepreneurs to depart the office for a much-needed vacation.\nThese breaks may seem especially timely if your industry experiences a significant slowdown in summer. But for truly growth-focused small businesses, these quiet weeks offer golden opportunities\u2014with competitors on vacation or running with a skeleton crew of employees, it\u2019s your chance to kick your business into high gear. The following strategic actions can help you build momentum now so you can sprint ahead of them by the time fall arrives.\n\n\nAnalyze the competition\nTake advantage of this often slow period to conduct a thorough, unbiased analysis of your rivals\u2019 current market position, reviewing their social media activity from the past few months to spot any gaps. What are their customers complaining about in reviews? Which services do they explicitly fail to offer? Such competitive intelligence is invaluable since you can use it to develop new service offerings or marketing messages that directly address what their customers are missing. You may be able to convince these relevant leads to change their allegiance to your business.\nReinforce your customer relationships\nBecause many clients are on break themselves, the last thing they may want is to hear a sales pitch. Instead of being blatantly salesy in your messaging, turn transactional relationships with customers into more loyal partnerships. For example, send targeted emails and text messages that offer summer greetings or helpful information like market details and enticing discounts (e.g., a quick, free consultation to plan their needs for the upcoming quarter). Such friendly gestures can strengthen their commitment to your business, remind customers of your consistent presence, and spark valuable conversations that your competitors could miss.\nGather feedback\nThis is some of the most impactful dialogue you can have with your clients. Every owner believes they understand what their customers want, but a slow period offers you the chance to move beyond assumptions and discover the truth through honest, unfiltered feedback. Set up a request for comments on your social pages, and consider emailing recent customers to get in touch or post reviews for constructive criticism. Ask open-ended questions like \u201cWhat did we do well?\u201d and \u201cWhat is one thing we could do to improve your experience?\u201d Look for trends; the insights you gather should directly influence your upcoming growth plans.\n\n\nCreate engaging content\nYour competitors\u2019 marketing may be on autopilot, relying on things like prescheduled posts. Your strategy should be to do the opposite, flooding the digital space with high-value, eye-catching content that makes your brand stand out\u2014think infographics displaying industry trends, summer-themed tours of your office and team, and quick-tip videos that solve common customer pain points. Scheduling such content will capture the attention of scrollers who are tired of your competitors\u2019 automated communications.\nStreamline processes\nThe biggest enemy of a small business is inefficiency, which can manifest in such money drains as wasted manhours and slowed delivery times. Identify some of the most tedious and repetitive tasks in your business, whether it\u2019s client onboarding, invoice follow-up, or something else entirely. Review the steps of each of these workflows, then research and implement affordable automation tools, such as CRM integration, email sequencing, and/or AI solutions, to streamline them. By fall, you\u2019ll have gained hours of valuable time to focus on more revenue-generating activities.\n\n\nPlan your fall strategies\nAutumn\u2019s colors, holidays, and much-anticipated scenery are full of marketing potential. To get ahead of that season and leverage its festivities, plan some appealing initiatives in advance. For example, you could host a pumpkin patch and serve fresh cider at a networking event or theme your social media posts around fall activities like foliage sightings. Additionally, budget now to promote appealing specials you can hold in fall, like a Halloween \u201cSpooktacular\u201d with free first consultations or 10 percent off slow-moving products. Making these efforts early can give you a leg up over competitors who may fail to lay out fall strategies sufficiently early.\nUpskill your team\nYour people are your greatest asset. While your competitors\u2019 teams are short-staffed during summer, use this quiet time to invest in yours, highlighting growth. Arrange targeted, skill-based training sessions between employees\u2019 vacation days, like seminars on new industry best practices or customer service role-playing based on recent feedback. These initiatives will not only improve their skills but also boost their morale\u2014and maybe even their retention\u2014especially if you listen to their own training requests. Take every opportunity to enrich your team\u2019s talent and engagement, and you can better contend with your rivals.\nKeep in mind that even if you are also vacationing this summer, you can still implement these strategies once you return. The key is to strike while the iron (and season) is hot. Use this time wisely, and you\u2019ll have the chance to make foundational changes and strategic moves that will set your business apart in the long term.\n\nTAKE ACTION:\nSet aside time for these efforts, starting with the ones that best suit your current priorities.\n\n\n\nThe post Smart Business Moves for Vacation Season appeared first on Business In Action.", "date_published": "2026-07-17T08:00:42+00:00", "date_modified": "2026-07-09T22:48:40+00:00", "author": { "name": "jshaw", "url": "https://businessinaction.com/author/jshaw/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/82c9132115b5cb74c8d4fb20cf990f4e3fb8822fa552fdc3e362ead755a6b041?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://businessinaction.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/07/vacationcomp-featured.jpg", "tags": [ "Business Strategy", "Leadership", "Marketing", "Summer", "Team Building" ], "summary": "From marketing moves to improved aptitudes, these steps can make your business more competitive." }, { "id": "https://businessinaction.com/marketing/why-calls-to-action-are-crucial/", "url": "https://businessinaction.com/marketing/why-calls-to-action-are-crucial/", "title": "Why Calls to Action Are Crucial", "content_html": "

The post Why Calls to Action Are Crucial appeared first on Business In Action.

\n", "content_text": "The post Why Calls to Action Are Crucial appeared first on Business In Action.", "date_published": "2026-04-29T08:00:38+00:00", "date_modified": "2026-04-27T18:39:54+00:00", "author": { "name": "jshaw", "url": "https://businessinaction.com/author/jshaw/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/82c9132115b5cb74c8d4fb20cf990f4e3fb8822fa552fdc3e362ead755a6b041?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "tags": [ "Marketing", "Promotion", "Sales", "Website" ], "summary": "Get to know what makes these sentences so impactful. " }, { "id": "https://businessinaction.com/marketing/build-a-better-business-website/", "url": "https://businessinaction.com/marketing/build-a-better-business-website/", "title": "Build a Better Business Website", "content_html": "

The post Build a Better Business Website appeared first on Business In Action.

\n", "content_text": "The post Build a Better Business Website appeared first on Business In Action.", "date_published": "2026-03-18T08:00:41+00:00", "date_modified": "2026-02-11T15:47:22+00:00", "author": { "name": "strexler", "url": "https://businessinaction.com/author/strexler/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/bfdad1d0f4bb8763ecd0c9f9672e8f2d9b9ed5aa5d22def1bf6d02656996176c?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "tags": [ "Digital Marketing", "Marketing", "Small Business", "Website" ], "summary": "Get tips from a sales professional on how to handle customer conflict." }, { "id": "https://businessinaction.com/marketing/find-your-competitive-advantage/", "url": "https://businessinaction.com/marketing/find-your-competitive-advantage/", "title": "Find Your Competitive Advantage", "content_html": "

The post Find Your Competitive Advantage appeared first on Business In Action.

\n", "content_text": "The post Find Your Competitive Advantage appeared first on Business In Action.", "date_published": "2026-01-12T08:00:52+00:00", "date_modified": "2025-12-29T15:42:44+00:00", "author": { "name": "strexler", "url": "https://businessinaction.com/author/strexler/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/bfdad1d0f4bb8763ecd0c9f9672e8f2d9b9ed5aa5d22def1bf6d02656996176c?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "tags": [ "Business growth", "Business Owners", "Business Strategy", "Competition", "Marketing", "Marketing Plan", "Small Business" ], "summary": "Get tips from a sales professional on how to handle customer conflict." }, { "id": "https://businessinaction.com/productivity/simple-hacks-for-controlling-your-inbox/", "url": "https://businessinaction.com/productivity/simple-hacks-for-controlling-your-inbox/", "title": "Simple Hacks for Controlling Your Inbox", "content_html": "

The post Simple Hacks for Controlling Your Inbox appeared first on Business In Action.

\n", "content_text": "The post Simple Hacks for Controlling Your Inbox appeared first on Business In Action.", "date_published": "2025-12-29T15:39:17+00:00", "date_modified": "2025-12-29T15:39:17+00:00", "author": { "name": "strexler", "url": "https://businessinaction.com/author/strexler/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/bfdad1d0f4bb8763ecd0c9f9672e8f2d9b9ed5aa5d22def1bf6d02656996176c?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "tags": [ "Communication", "Email", "Inbox", "Marketing", "Office", "Productivity" ], "summary": "Get tips from a sales professional on how to handle customer conflict." }, { "id": "https://businessinaction.com/marketing/marketing-alternatives-to-social-media/", "url": "https://businessinaction.com/marketing/marketing-alternatives-to-social-media/", "title": "Marketing Alternatives to Social Media", "content_html": "

The post Marketing Alternatives to Social Media appeared first on Business In Action.

\n", "content_text": "The post Marketing Alternatives to Social Media appeared first on Business In Action.", "date_published": "2025-09-26T08:00:56+00:00", "date_modified": "2025-06-17T17:12:15+00:00", "author": { "name": "ajimenez", "url": "https://businessinaction.com/author/ajimenez/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/370fd3ef5b2313c7465c0026a4c2af9d14c7c1f31fb160ddbba3f572f8b74842?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "tags": [ "Business Owners", "Email", "Entrepreneur", "Marketing", "Marketing Tips", "Networking", "SEO" ], "summary": "Here\u2019s how to strengthen your business with traditional marketing approaches." }, { "id": "https://businessinaction.com/marketing/spotlight-your-brand-on-substack/", "url": "https://businessinaction.com/marketing/spotlight-your-brand-on-substack/", "title": "Spotlight Your Brand on Substack", "content_html": "

The post Spotlight Your Brand on Substack appeared first on Business In Action.

\n", "content_text": "The post Spotlight Your Brand on Substack appeared first on Business In Action.", "date_published": "2025-09-18T08:00:05+00:00", "date_modified": "2025-06-17T17:04:18+00:00", "author": { "name": "ajimenez", "url": "https://businessinaction.com/author/ajimenez/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/370fd3ef5b2313c7465c0026a4c2af9d14c7c1f31fb160ddbba3f572f8b74842?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "tags": [ "Email", "Marketing", "Newsletter", "Social Media", "Substack" ], "summary": "Here\u2019s how a relatively new platform is rife with promotional opportunities." }, { "id": "https://businessinaction.com/sales/qr-codes-marketings-secret-weapon/", "url": "https://businessinaction.com/sales/qr-codes-marketings-secret-weapon/", "title": "QR Codes: Marketing\u2019s Secret Weapon", "content_html": "

The post QR Codes: Marketing\u2019s Secret Weapon appeared first on Business In Action.

\n", "content_text": "The post QR Codes: Marketing\u2019s Secret Weapon appeared first on Business In Action.", "date_published": "2025-08-27T08:00:41+00:00", "date_modified": "2025-08-12T19:44:36+00:00", "author": { "name": "ajimenez", "url": "https://businessinaction.com/author/ajimenez/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/370fd3ef5b2313c7465c0026a4c2af9d14c7c1f31fb160ddbba3f572f8b74842?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "tags": [ "Marketing", "QR code", "Sales" ], "summary": "Leverage this tool to connect with customers and track campaign success effortlessly." }, { "id": "https://businessinaction.com/leadership/marketing-reimagined-with-ai/", "url": "https://businessinaction.com/leadership/marketing-reimagined-with-ai/", "title": "Marketing Reimagined with AI", "content_html": "

The post Marketing Reimagined with AI appeared first on Business In Action.

\n", "content_text": "The post Marketing Reimagined with AI appeared first on Business In Action.", "date_published": "2025-08-14T08:00:37+00:00", "date_modified": "2025-06-18T16:32:51+00:00", "author": { "name": "ajimenez", "url": "https://businessinaction.com/author/ajimenez/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/370fd3ef5b2313c7465c0026a4c2af9d14c7c1f31fb160ddbba3f572f8b74842?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "tags": [ "AI", "Finance", "Marketing", "Target Audience", "Technology", "Leadership" ], "summary": "Learn how the co-owner of finance marketing company WealthFeed leverages intelligent technology." }, { "id": "https://businessinaction.com/marketing/outsource-your-way-to-top-notch-social-media/", "url": "https://businessinaction.com/marketing/outsource-your-way-to-top-notch-social-media/", "title": "Outsource Your Way to Top-Notch Social Media", "content_html": "

The post Outsource Your Way to Top-Notch Social Media appeared first on Business In Action.

\n", "content_text": "The post Outsource Your Way to Top-Notch Social Media appeared first on Business In Action.", "date_published": "2025-05-15T08:00:43+00:00", "date_modified": "2025-02-26T17:03:47+00:00", "author": { "name": "ajimenez", "url": "https://businessinaction.com/author/ajimenez/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/370fd3ef5b2313c7465c0026a4c2af9d14c7c1f31fb160ddbba3f572f8b74842?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "tags": [ "Digital Marketing", "Marketing", "Marketing Tips", "Social Media", "Social Media Marketing" ], "summary": "Uncover the benefits of delegating your social media to experts." }, { "id": "https://businessinaction.com/culture/storytelling-the-secret-to-a-memorable-brand/", "url": "https://businessinaction.com/culture/storytelling-the-secret-to-a-memorable-brand/", "title": "Storytelling: The Secret to a Memorable Brand", "content_html": "

The post Storytelling: The Secret to a Memorable Brand appeared first on Business In Action.

\n", "content_text": "The post Storytelling: The Secret to a Memorable Brand appeared first on Business In Action.", "date_published": "2025-04-17T08:00:38+00:00", "date_modified": "2025-01-22T14:48:26+00:00", "author": { "name": "ajimenez", "url": "https://businessinaction.com/author/ajimenez/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/370fd3ef5b2313c7465c0026a4c2af9d14c7c1f31fb160ddbba3f572f8b74842?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "tags": [ "Branding", "Culture", "Marketing" ], "summary": "Discover why storytelling is key to building a favored brand, fostering emotional connections, and creating loyal customers." }, { "id": "https://businessinaction.com/marketing/unlock-the-potential-of-mobile-marketing/", "url": "https://businessinaction.com/marketing/unlock-the-potential-of-mobile-marketing/", "title": "Unlock the Potential of Mobile Marketing", "content_html": "

The post Unlock the Potential of Mobile Marketing appeared first on Business In Action.

\n", "content_text": "The post Unlock the Potential of Mobile Marketing appeared first on Business In Action.", "date_published": "2025-03-26T08:00:01+00:00", "date_modified": "2025-02-25T20:55:51+00:00", "author": { "name": "ajimenez", "url": "https://businessinaction.com/author/ajimenez/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/370fd3ef5b2313c7465c0026a4c2af9d14c7c1f31fb160ddbba3f572f8b74842?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "tags": [ "Cell Phone", "Marketing", "Mobile", "Phone" ], "summary": "Mobile-marketing strategies to help attract consumers and close more deals." }, { "id": "https://businessinaction.com/leadership/shaping-brand-success-with-customer-reviews/", "url": "https://businessinaction.com/leadership/shaping-brand-success-with-customer-reviews/", "title": "Shaping Brand Success with Customer Reviews", "content_html": "

The post Shaping Brand Success with Customer Reviews appeared first on Business In Action.

\n", "content_text": "The post Shaping Brand Success with Customer Reviews appeared first on Business In Action.", "date_published": "2025-03-20T08:00:40+00:00", "date_modified": "2024-12-31T16:14:54+00:00", "author": { "name": "ajimenez", "url": "https://businessinaction.com/author/ajimenez/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/370fd3ef5b2313c7465c0026a4c2af9d14c7c1f31fb160ddbba3f572f8b74842?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "tags": [ "Brand", "Brand strategy", "customer experience", "Customer Reviews", "Marketing", "Reviews", "Success", "Leadership" ], "summary": "Learn how customer feedback can drive your business\u2019s growth and reputation." }, { "id": "https://businessinaction.com/entrepreneur/in-the-shoes-of-a-retail-innovator/", "url": "https://businessinaction.com/entrepreneur/in-the-shoes-of-a-retail-innovator/", "title": "In the Shoes of a Retail Innovator", "content_html": "

The post In the Shoes of a Retail Innovator appeared first on Business In Action.

\n", "content_text": "The post In the Shoes of a Retail Innovator appeared first on Business In Action.", "date_published": "2025-03-04T08:00:30+00:00", "date_modified": "2025-01-23T19:44:32+00:00", "author": { "name": "ajimenez", "url": "https://businessinaction.com/author/ajimenez/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/370fd3ef5b2313c7465c0026a4c2af9d14c7c1f31fb160ddbba3f572f8b74842?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "tags": [ "Business", "Business Strategy", "Entrepreneur", "Marketing", "Small Business" ], "summary": "Discover how a chance encounter led Neely Woodson Powell to found the Charleston Shoe Company. " }, { "id": "https://businessinaction.com/leadership/from-the-ballpark-to-the-board-room/", "url": "https://businessinaction.com/leadership/from-the-ballpark-to-the-board-room/", "title": "From the Ballpark to the Board Room", "content_html": "

The post From the Ballpark to the Board Room appeared first on Business In Action.

\n", "content_text": "The post From the Ballpark to the Board Room appeared first on Business In Action.", "date_published": "2025-02-18T08:00:45+00:00", "date_modified": "2024-12-04T15:58:23+00:00", "author": { "name": "ajimenez", "url": "https://businessinaction.com/author/ajimenez/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/370fd3ef5b2313c7465c0026a4c2af9d14c7c1f31fb160ddbba3f572f8b74842?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "tags": [ "Baseball", "Business growth", "Editorial", "Marketing", "Sales", "Culture", "Leadership" ], "summary": "Former Yankees outfielder Kevin Thompson reveals lessons that inform his financial practices." } ] }