Marketing Strategies for Small Businesses and Lessons Learned in 2024
December 5, 2024
As we get ready to say our goodbyes to an eventful 2024, our team at JamboJon has grown, in more ways than one. Along the way, we’ve picked up some valuable insights throughout the year. Each JamboJon department – development, copywriting, and management – has uncovered “aha moments” that have helped in our respective roles. We’re excited to share those glittering nuggets with you. These ideas can apply to business owners, entrepreneurs, and creatives. Growth happens at every level. Hold on tight! It’s not often we pull back the curtain and share a little “behind the scenes.” We hope that you might experience an “aha” of your own.
Development Insight: No Boxes, Just Possibilities
“We’re not asking you to think outside the box. There is no box.” Chuck Coxhead, one of our 2024 clients, offered this sage advice to our development team. In a field as technical as web development, we tend to fall into familiar ruts, looking for time-tested solutions. Why walk the same well-trodden path? Explore endless possibilities! Our perceptions often limit what we can create.
Lately, we have had several clients with existing ecommerce platforms. They loved different things about each one, but they also needed their website to function beyond the parameters provided. Thinking outside the box has meant creating connections that don’t actually exist in the program. Making the programs integrate with each other. When we customize according to our clients’ needs, the end user is not going to recognize all the different services or operations happening at once. Resist the urge to settle. You deserve a site that fits your needs.
Whenever you feel stuck, remember that you have the power to change your site to work the way you want. Here are some suggestions:
- Explore new ways to engage your shopping cart users at checkout.
- Reimagine interactive content on your website for longer engagement.
- Gamify different elements on your website by using quizzes, trackers, badges, rewards, or loyalty systems.
Keep pushing the boundaries, because there’s no limit to what you can create when you stop looking for the box.
Content Creation Insight: The Power of Fresh, Authentic Content
“Quality content is everything! But not all content is created equal,” says Chantelle Barlow, our storyteller extraordinaire. “While AI-generated content can certainly be helpful, and has a place in the creation process, there’s no replacement for authentic, fresh, human-generated, consistent content." When we speak vulnerably to one another, written or in person, we share our real experiences. We relate on a personal level.
Powerful emotion drives your customers to take action. To stand out amongst your competitors:
- Let your audience get the real YOU. Does it take a little extra time and energy? Yes. Is it worth it? Without question!
- Connect with your clients genuinely. AI can mimic the real thing, but can’t ever replace foundational human interaction.
- Invite others into your world through blog posts, newsletters, and articles.
The bonus? We’re not the only ones who love authenticity. Google’s algorithms favor websites that update frequently with original content.
Project Management’s Lesson: Craft a Meaningful “Customer Journey”
Cassie Jones, one of our project managers advises, "When clients know what’s coming next, it opens the door for better collaboration and smoother workflows. It’s all about making the journey meaningful and making sure clients feel connected every step of the way.” Communication matters at JamboJon and at your company too!
Here’s a few tips from our project management team on HOW to create a better customer experience:
- Explain your role, your client’s responsibilities, and what to expect at every stage.
- Make sure clients and partners feel supported and informed.
- Communicate clearly about what lies ahead.
- Set expectations, reduce confusion, and foster trust.
Perfecting the “customer journey” will always be a work in progress. Just remember the secret to impact: “It’s all about feelings, right? People buy based on emotion, and when clients feel cared for, they’ll remember [you]. . . for the experience [you] created for them.”
Support Desk Insight: You Can’t Do Everything
At JamboJon, we always invite you to contact our Support Desk with any questions. But who supports the Support Team? One person cannot (and should not) shoulder all the responsibilities alone. Ashley Zufelt, who manages our support desk chimed in: “The truth is, while we can do anything, we simply cannot do everything – and that’s okay.” This year has been a year of reorganizing our systems and processes. Our team members block out chunks of time for different projects, triaging by importance. Not everything fits on the calendar on a given day. That’s totally fine. Recognizing limitations isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a step toward creating balance.
Here’s a few tips from our Support Desk on how to make the most of your time:
- Take one step outside your comfort zone.
- Delegate a task you usually hoard, or turn down a client that doesn’t align with your vision.
- Say no strategically to help you focus on your priorities and build a stronger, more focused business.
- Channel the bulk of your efforts into the top 20 percent of your products or services, and you’ll see the greatest payoff (The 80/20 Rule).
Growth isn’t about taking on everything; it’s about taking on the RIGHT things.
Marketing Insight: Exploring New Narratives
Jonny Johnson, Co-Founder of JamboJon said, “Many companies have been using [the ‘Hero’s Journey’] storytelling formula on their websites. It has been awesome. But can other storytelling archetypes be just as effective? I believe so.” We personalize the “voice” to each client. Why not personalize the storytelling formula or structure? While the “Hero’s Journey” is undeniably effective, other storytelling archetypes can pack a punch! Narratives like “Rags to Riches,” “Overcoming the Monster,” “The Quest,” “The Comedy,” and even “The Tragedy” offer different ways your business can share its unique story.
Don’t feel locked into a one-size-fits-all website! Here are some tips to get your customized marketing strategy going:
- Take JamboJon’s FREE brand archetype quiz online to see what voice (or personality) resonates most with your brand.
- Download JamboJon’s FREE brand and narrative archetype summary.
- Reimagine HOW to share your message by exploring all the different storytelling structures and approaches you could use.
- Schedule a FREE 30-minute consultation with JamboJon to discuss the results and take a deeper dive.
Open up new opportunities to stand out! Storytelling structures engage your audience and change your marketing strategies to reflect a more authentic YOU.
Looking Forward to Next Year
What insights have made the most impact on you and your business this year? Applaud yourself for every lesson learned! At JamboJon, we hope each challenge in 2024 presented you with an opportunity to grow as a business leader. You’re now wiser, grittier, and know how to avoid repeat missteps. Here’s to 2025 and a new set of lessons to learn!
