You need to master marketing if your business is going to grow rapidly.

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If you look past the fads and gimmicks and complicated marketing techniques, you’ll find that marketing is a science. And like any other science, the more you understand the basics, the easier it becomes.

So what are the basics? High volume sales and success come from:

1. Offering a valuable product/service you can produce/execute uniformly and consistently.
2. Identifying your target audience(s), potential consumers who will find value in your product/service.
3. Making your products/services easily accessible, and actively asking for and closing sales.
4. Finding cost-effective channels through which you can reach your target audience.
5. Communicating well and building affinity with each target audience through the appropriate channels.
6. Delivering the products, services, and benefits you’ve promised your consumers. Never promise what you can’t deliver.
7. Repeating and expanding the process.

That’s it—no smoke or mirrors necessary. These basics apply both to online and offline marketing and promotion, and are as applicable to the smallest mom-and-pop shop as they are to the largest multinational corporation. Apply your skills and talents as you learn the basics, honestly and fully follow these steps, and you will achieve success.

If your business is currently struggling, review the basic process and determine where you might improve your efficiency and effectiveness. It’s not a quick fix; like running other aspects of your business, it requires skill and focus. But implementing these basics is well worth the effort, resulting in long-term stability and success.