Marketing Variables, Essay Example

How can Web sites, social media, and advertising on the Internet be used along with customer databases to develop long lasting profitable customers?

Web sites, social media and advertising on the internet (also known as online marketing) have to be used alongside customer databases. This will expand the market reach (online and offline) for QMCs hence netting more customers.

One of the strategies that can be implemented is the use of a ‘free QMC giveaway’. This can be done by issuing tickets, with a special code, to local customers to participate in a draw. The ticket comes at a small fee of let’s say $5(admission fee).the customer can get as many tickets as possible by visiting the company website and signing up for a free QMC. By doing this they get to familiarize with the company and the QMCs products that we offer. When the winner is announced he will need to come and claim a certificate and the prize at the office.  You are not only driving the customers to the website but also interacting with them face to face.

The company could also come to an agreement to endorse a school e-zine or a local high school/college website .this sort of collaboration would cover the maintenance costs of the magazine or the website while allowing you to advertise (via banners and links leading to their website) through the e-zine or website since you are the sponsor. This will be a good opportunity to reach many youth who are the major consumers of QMCs and also this will attract other similar businesses who would want to sponsor the same website in exchange would want their banners and links leading to their site.

Better still you could try referral e-mail marketing, where-by you dedicate a day or two to collecting your customers e-mail addresses. You could also phone your clientele, enticing them with coupons in exchange of their e-mail addresses. This will expand the initial customer database since the company can be able to spread the word to a larger crowd via electronic newsletters or online offers for QMCs.

Another strategy is being on the lookout for controversial topics in the newspapers. This can then be used to create a website where one can vote or give his comment on how to solve the controversy. At the same time the site should have links and banners to familiarize the visitor to the new site.

Another approach to take is to develop a site for free offers, promotions and coupons for other business vendors while charging them for using the site. At the same time, being the caretaker of the site, you have your own banners and links to your own site. To create a buzz about the site it may require creation of handouts and flyers to the customers.

How might QMC or another retail business (if you do not think that QMC should be marketing on the Internet) use some of the marketing tools that you address to expand on a national or even international level?

QMC may find the 4P’s to be significant especially when coming up with the brand development activities. First off, QMC can make good use of the internet technology to boost its internal strategic efforts and this will go hand-in-hand with the efforts to position the microcomputers and the business itself.

For the marketer at QMC to flow with the drastic changes, he should be able to integrate these ingredients attentively into a selection of activities that shunt an array of consumers up the ladder. The objective is to make a verdict that will concentrate on the four elements on the clientele in the objective market so as to create a value that will stimulate a constructive response presenting the merchandise with a superlative strategy so as to capitalize on sales and brand constancy. QMC should put the customer in a condition that they understand how the product benefits them

Pricing is one of the most challenging elements in the marketing mix and this fact must be well understood by the QMC marketer. When making pricing decisions, QMC management should take into consideration the profit margin of the business and the pricing response other companies are likely to educe.  It is not likely that QMC is going to price its products depending on the size and the brand given that it deals with computers. Checking the computer pricing strategies of other competitors should help QMC to set and adopt a pricing strategy that falls around the same level as its competitors. Hardy et al (2007: 47) advise that the marketer should be wary of pricing blunders or gaffes that may have immense impact on the ability to sell. The cost should neither be too high nor too low. The company should also focus their price levels on break-even. This analysis helps determine pricing to avoid losses.

The place is where the consumer meets the merchandise. In regard to this strategy, QMC or must identify the best channels of distribution that can be used to get the product to the prospect market or target customers. The presence of the internet technology should be beneficial to the QMC firm given that it can afford wide channel members, market coverage, logistics and levels of service (Market Research website: 2009).

Reference List

Hindle, Tim (1994). “Marketing Field Guide.” The Economist Publishers Ltd; Boston

Simon. Majaro, (2009). “Marketing Essence.” Prentice Hall; New York

Market Research website: (2009). http://www.marketresearchworld.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=741&Itemid=77

Shank, M (2001). “Sports Marketing: A Strategic Perspective” 2^nd Edition, Prentice Hall

Hardy, M., Sut ton & Stern (2007) “Sports Marketing in the Internet Era” Human Kinetics