Generational Marketing: Cracking the Code for 2025 Business Owners

Imagine if you will, you’re trying to sell your awesome product, but your Baby Boomer client is checking snail mail while your Gen Z prospect is glued to TikTok. Welcome to generational marketing, where one size definitely doesn’t fit all! In 2025, connecting with business owners across generations is like herding cats—tricky, but doable with the right strategy.

Why Generational Marketing Isn’t Just Buzzword Bingo

Each generation has its own quirks, and nailing their preferences is your ticket to marketing glory. A 2024 HubSpot report says 78% of marketers see better ROI when they tailor campaigns to specific age groups. That’s not pocket change! Whether it’s a Boomer’s love for a good ol’ brochure or Gen Z’s obsession with Reels, understanding these differences is key. At Paragon, our marketing services division—think digital, traditional, and stellar social media management—crafts campaigns that hit the bullseye, no matter the audience.

Baby Boomers: Old-School Charm, No TikTok Required

Baby Boomers (1946–1964) are the kings of business, owning 51% of U.S. small businesses, per a 2023 SBA report. They’re all about trust and face-to-face interaction. When it comes to deliverables for this group—think direct mail that feels personal, TV ads with heart, or websites that don’t require a PhD to navigate. Fun fact: 70% of Boomers check email daily, so a solid newsletter is your friend.
What Flops: Trying to sell them using a viral video or something out of their comfort zone equals disaster? You’ll get the side-eye faster than you can say “hashtag.”
Paragon’s Magic Touch: Our web design crew builds Boomer-friendly sites, and our traditional marketing pros whip up mailers that scream “we get you.”

Gen X: The No-Nonsense Crowd

Gen X (1965–1980) is the unsung hero of business owners, running 33% of companies. They want real talk with zero fluff. Think of them as the no BS, cliff note version group. Targeted ads on Facebook or LinkedIn, paired with crisp 30-second videos, are their achilles heel. 62% prefer brands that cut to the chase, says a 2024 Statista survey.
What Flops: Grainy visuals or pushy sales pitches? They’ll ghost you faster than you can possibly imagine.
Paragon’s Magic Touch: Our video production and social media management teams create authentic, polished content that Gen X can’t resist.

Millennials: Purpose, Pizzazz, and a Side of Values

Millennials (1981–1996) are hitting their stride, owning 12% of businesses. They’re suckers for brands with a soul—think of eco-friendly feels or community givebacks. Instagram and YouTube dominate their world, and 49% trust influencers, per a 2024 Nielsen study. Bold visuals and storytelling seal the deal.
What Flops: Stuffy corporate ads will fall flat! They’ll swipe left in the blink of an eye.
Paragon’s Magic Touch: Our graphic design and social media management pros craft vibrant, value-driven campaigns that make Millennials really take notice.

Gen Z: Short, Snappy, and Super Real

Gen Z (1997–2012) is the new kid on the block, just starting to launch ventures and digging in their heels. They’re glued to their phones for 7+ hours daily, obsessed with TikTok and Instagram Reels. Quick, quirky videos and user-generated content are gold—80% want brands that feel “real.” Transparency, like showing your blooper reel, is non-negotiable.
What Flops: Long-winded ads or stuffy billboards? They’ll scroll past faster than you can say “OK, Boomer.”
Paragon’s Magic Touch: Our video production and social media management gurus churn out snappy, authentic content that keeps Gen Z hooked.

Paragon Marketing Group: Your Generational Marketing Sidekick

Let’s face it—marketing to four generations is like juggling flaming torches while riding a unicycle. You need a partner who’s got your back. Enter Paragon Marketing Group. With 100’s of happy clients, thousands of hours filming, and a marketing services division that rocks everything from social media management to web design, we’re your one-stop shop. We strategize, develop, launch, and keep tweaking with analytics to ensure your campaigns are as successful as possible. Ready to make every generation fall in love with your brand in 2025? Let us know how we can team up together for 2025.

Stuck in Neutral: Overcoming the Fear of Switching Marketing Companies

For small business owners, marketing is the heartbeat of growth—but what happens when your current marketing company isn’t cutting it? The idea of switching can feel like stepping into quicksand. Fear creeps in, paralysis sets in, and suddenly you’re stuck with a strategy that’s not delivering. At Paragon Marketing Group, we’ve seen how these fears hold businesses back—and we’re here to help you break free. Let’s unpack those fears and show you how to spring into action with confidence.

The Fear of Change: Why Switching Feels Risky

Change is hard—especially when it’s tied to something as critical as marketing. A 2023 survey by Clutch found that 63% of small businesses stick with their marketing agency even when dissatisfied, citing the hassle of switching as a top reason. Posts on social media echo this, with some users noting that fear of disruption keeps them locked in longer than they should be. So, what’s driving this hesitation?

  • Fear of Disruption: You’ve got campaigns running, a website humming, maybe some SEO traction. What if switching companies throws it all into chaos? The thought of losing momentum—or worse, losing customers—can feel like too big a gamble, even if you’re not confident in your current strategy.
  • Fear of Wasted Investment: You’ve already sunk time and money into your current setup. Starting over with a new team might mean scrapping what you’ve built. The sunk cost fallacy kicks in, whispering, “What if it’s not worth it?”
  • Fear of Picking the Wrong Partner: What if the new company doesn’t get your vision? What if they’re all talk and no results? With 82% of small businesses relying on external marketing help (per Statista), picking the right partner feels high-stakes—and the wrong choice could set you back months.

These fears aren’t imaginary—they’re real roadblocks that keep small businesses tethered to underperforming strategies and unfit partnerships.

Key Takeaway: Fear of disruption, wasted investment, and bad choices keep small businesses stuck with the wrong marketing company.

The Paralysis Trap: How Inaction Costs You

Staying put might feel safe, but it’s a slow bleed. HubSpot reports that businesses with an effective marketing strategy see 13 times higher ROI than those without. If your current company isn’t delivering, you’re not just treading water—you’re losing ground. Every missed customer touchpoint (think emails, social media, or ads) is a chance for your competitors to swoop in. As we noted in How to Spring Into Action with Paragon’s Marketing Solutions, those touchpoints shape your brand. Ignore them, and you’re letting someone else tell your story.

Key Takeaway: Sticking with a failing marketing company sacrifices growth and hands opportunities to competitors.

Moving Forward: Steps to Switch Without Stress

You don’t have to stay stuck. Here’s how to face those fears and make the leap:

  • Audit Before You Jump: Assess what’s working now—your website traffic, lead generation, or social engagement. Bring that data to the table so your new partner can hit the ground running, minimizing disruption.
  • Start with a Trial Run: Afraid of commitment? Test the waters with a small project—a single campaign or a few months of SEO tweaks. At Paragon, we don’t lock you into long-term contracts because we believe results speak louder than promises.
  • Ask the Right Questions: Worried about fit? Ask prospects how they’ll align with your goals. Talk to their current customers. Our team at Paragon Marketing Group thrives on crafting custom digital and traditional strategies—no cookie-cutter nonsense here.

Switching doesn’t have to mean starting from scratch. With the right partner, it’s a springboard to better results.

Key Takeaway: Smart planning and a flexible partner turn switching into a smooth, growth-driven move.

Your Next Step

Fear doesn’t have to win. If your marketing’s stalled, it’s time to shake things up. At Paragon, we’re all about building touchpoints that work for your business—without the stress. Ready to explore? Call us at 262-443-9092 or visit our contact page. Let’s get your marketing back in gear—together.

How to Spring into Action with Paragon’s Marketing Solutions

Close up of the Paragon Marketing team at a desk, with the focus on a coffee mug. Consider Paragon's marketing solutions for your business.

As the frost melts away and nature awakens, businesses too should embrace the spirit of renewal. Spring offers the perfect opportunity to refresh your marketing strategy and breathe new life into your brand. Just like the seasonal shift brings growth and transformation, your business can benefit from implementing effective marketing solutions from Paragon Marketing Group.

Transform Your Business with Marketing Solutions This Spring

The arrival of spring isn’t just about cleaning your office space. It’s the ideal time to evaluate what’s working in your marketing efforts, what needs improvement, and where opportunities for growth exist. With Paragon’s comprehensive marketing services, you can harness this season of change to reinvigorate your brand presence across multiple channels.

Refresh Your Digital Presence

Just as spring brings a fresh new landscape, your online presence might need some sprucing up. Consider updating your website with seasonal content, refreshing your social media strategy, or launching a spring-themed email campaign. Paragon specializes in creating cohesive solutions that marry these elements into a powerful marketing force.

Key Takeaway: Strategic digital marketing solutions can significantly boost engagement and conversions during seasonal transitions.

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Cultivate New Growth with Video Content

Like seeds planted in spring soil, video content has tremendous potential for growth. With the majority of businesses now using video as a marketing tool, it’s become essential rather than optional. Paragon’s roots as a video production company make us uniquely qualified to offer marketing solutions that include compelling video content that captures attention in today’s fast-paced digital environment.

Key Takeaway: Professional video production as part of your marketing creates lasting impressions that can blossom into meaningful customer relationships.

Prune Outdated Marketing Tactics

Spring is a time for clearing out the old to make way for the new. This principle applies perfectly to your marketing strategy. Together, we can analyze your current marketing efforts, trim away underperforming tactics, and implement marketing solutions that deliver better results. Our full-service approach ensures nothing goes to waste in your marketing budget.

Key Takeaway: Implementing targeted solutions allows for more robust growth by replacing ineffective tactics with proven strategies.

Plant the Seeds of Brand Consistency

A garden thrives when properly planned and maintained. Similarly, your brand needs consistent nurturing across all platforms. From your graphic design to direct mail, Paragon’s marketing services ensure your messaging maintains a unified voice while adapting to each channel’s unique requirements.

Key Takeaway: Comprehensive marketing strategies create a cohesive brand experience that reinforces your message and builds trust with customers.

Nurture Leads with Targeted Content

Spring showers may bring May flowers, and targeted content brings qualified leads. Through blog writing, online advertising, and social media paid campaigns, Paragon can help you create marketing solutions that speak directly to your ideal customers. By addressing their specific needs and pain points, you’ll cultivate stronger connections and higher conversion rates.

Key Takeaway: Personalized content solutions yield higher engagement and more qualified leads than generic marketing messages.

Here’s a Quick Recap:

  1. Strategic digital solutions can significantly boost engagement and conversions during seasonal transitions.
  2. Professional video production as part of your marketing creates lasting impressions that can blossom into meaningful customer relationships.
  3. Implementing targeted solutions allows for more robust growth by replacing ineffective tactics with proven strategies.
  4. Comprehensive marketing strategies create a cohesive brand experience that reinforces your message and builds trust with customers.
  5. Personalized content solutions yield higher engagement and more qualified leads than generic marketing messages.

Time to Spring into Action

The season of renewal won’t last forever. Now is the ideal time to revitalize your marketing strategy and position your business for growth. At Paragon Marketing Group, we understand every business has unique needs and goals. Our team is ready to create customized solutions that align with your vision and budget. Don’t let another season pass by with stagnant marketing.

Contact Paragon Marketing Group today to schedule a consultation and discover how our marketing solutions can transform your business presence. Whether you need a complete marketing overhaul or targeted improvements in specific areas, we’re here to help you spring into action and achieve remarkable results.

Beyond the Algorithm: Why Human-Centric Marketing Still Wins in 2025

a business owner shaking hands with a customer, demonstrating the power of human-centric marketing

As a small business owner, you face constant pressure to digitize every aspect of your operations. While human-centric marketing may seem old-fashioned, it’s actually your secret weapon for growth. Major corporations spend millions on automation, but your ability to create genuine human connections gives you a unique advantage in today’s market.

In this post, we’ll cover the power of local connection, balancing digital and traditional marketing methods, building community connections, and more.

How to Prioritize Human-Centric Marketing for Your Business

While digital marketing is essential to the growth and success of your business, we don’t want to forget about the power of human connection and how it can transform one-time customers into a community.

The Technology Paradox

Modern technology offers small businesses powerful tools at affordable prices. AI can now help you schedule social media posts, chatbots can answer basic customer questions, and email automation can nurture leads while you sleep. These advances are impressive and necessary.

However, this digital efficiency creates new challenges. Customers increasingly feel frustrated by automated phone systems and generic responses. According to a 2023 PwC Customer Experience Survey, 82% of participants said that as customers, they want more human interaction from businesses. They crave real human interaction. Many report feeling disconnected from brands that rely too heavily on automation.

Your small business can capitalize on this desire for human connection while still using technology wisely.

Key Takeaway: Technology should enhance human relationships, not replace them.

The Power of Local Connection

As a small business owner, you have a natural advantage in creating personal connections. Your local chamber of commerce provides opportunities to build face-to-face relationships with potential customers and partners. These personal connections often lead to loyal customers and valuable referrals.

Consider joining industry-specific networking groups or attending local business events. These venues allow you to showcase your business’s human side through authentic conversations.

Key Takeaway: Local networking creates authentic touchpoints that digital channels cannot replicate.

Balancing Digital and Human Touch

Human-centric marketing works best when you combine digital efficiency with personal connection. Start by identifying which tasks truly benefit from automation. Then, create opportunities for human interaction in your business strategy.

For example, use automation to remind customers about appointments, but have staff members personally follow up about their experience. Send automated order confirmations, but include a personal note in the package.

Key Takeaway: Smart automation creates more time for meaningful customer interactions.

Building Community Connections

Your physical presence in the community matters more than ever. Consider these practical steps:

  • Host seasonal open houses or customer appreciation events
  • Participate in local festivals and community events
  • Schedule regular check-ins with your best customers
  • Join and actively participate in local business associations

These activities help your business build lasting relationships within your community.

Key Takeaway: Community involvement transforms casual customers into loyal advocates.

The ROI of Human Connection

Small businesses that prioritize human-centric marketing often see higher customer retention rates. When customers feel personally connected to your business, they’re more likely to return and recommend you to others.

Track these important metrics:

  • Customer retention rates
  • Referrals from community events
  • Engagement at in-person events
  • Quality of customer feedback

Key Takeaway: Measuring the impact of human connections helps justify investment in relationship-building activities.

Here’s a Quick Recap:

  1. Technology should enhance human relationships, not replace them.
  2. Local networking creates authentic touchpoints that digital channels cannot replicate.
  3. Smart automation creates more time for meaningful customer interactions.
  4. Community involvement transforms casual customers into loyal advocates.
  5. Measuring the impact of human connections helps justify investment in relationship-building activities.

As we move through 2025, human-centric marketing will continue to differentiate successful small businesses. While larger competitors focus on automation, your personal touch will set you apart.

Remember that every automated process should create more time for meaningful customer interaction. Join your local chamber of commerce, attend community events, and create opportunities for face-to-face connections. These actions will help your business thrive in an increasingly digital world.

The future of small business success isn’t just about having the latest technology—it’s about creating genuine human connections that technology enables but cannot replace.

Have questions about how to make your marketing efforts more human-centric? Please visit our website or call us at 262-443-9092. At Paragon Marketing Group, we’re ready to help humanize your marketing efforts.

How Setting Realistic Marketing Goals Will Help Your Business Succeed in 2025

setting realistic marketing goals for 2025

As the year comes to a close, it’s time for small businesses to evaluate their marketing efforts and chart a course for success in 2025. Setting realistic marketing goals is a crucial step in ensuring your business grows sustainably without unnecessary stress. At Paragon Marketing Group, we’re here to help you take those steps with confidence.

In this post, we’ll touch on all the ways setting realistic marketing goals will help your business succeed in 2025, from reflecting on this year’s wins to making plans for the future.

Setting Realistic Marketing Goals

Setting realistic marketing goals is the foundation of sustainable growth for your business. While dreaming big can be inspiring, setting practical, measurable goals ensures steady progress without unnecessary stress. Realistic goals, combined with actionable strategies, pave the way for long-term success.

a small business owner setting realistic marketing goals for the new year
Are you setting realistic marketing goals for 2025?

Reflect on 2024: Learn and Celebrate

Taking stock of the past year is essential for making informed decisions about the future. Reflect on your 2024 marketing efforts by asking key questions: Which campaigns were the most successful? What didn’t work as planned? Whether you had a standout social media moment or learned valuable lessons from a misstep, reflection provides the insights needed to refine your strategy.

Key Takeaway: Reflecting on your past efforts provides a foundation for setting more effective goals in the future.

Plan Smarter, Not Harder

A thoughtful, well-structured plan is your blueprint for success. Unrealistic planning—like trying to do too much in too little time—can lead to stress and lower-quality outcomes. Instead, focus on prioritization. Break large goals into smaller, manageable tasks. Listen to your audience to understand their needs and preferences, and incorporate those insights into your strategy. Finally, remember patience is crucial. Quality marketing takes time, so stick with your plan and allow your efforts to bear fruit.

Key Takeaway: A strategic plan ensures better results with less stress.

Achieve Success through Action

Achieving your marketing goals requires effort, adaptability, and a commitment to improvement. Change doesn’t happen without action—be ready to try new marketing channels, revise underperforming strategies, or explore untapped opportunities. Partnering with an experienced marketing agency like Paragon Marketing Group can help you implement these changes effectively. When combined with listening to your audience and staying consistent, these efforts can transform your business outcomes.

Key Takeaway: Change comes from action and a willingness to innovate.

Here’s a Quick Recap:

  1. Reflecting on your past efforts provides a foundation for setting more effective goals in the future.
  2. A strategic plan ensures better results with less stress.
  3. Change comes from action and a willingness to innovate.

Next year is your opportunity to grow your business with focus and determination. Setting realistic marketing goals is the first step toward achieving that success. At Paragon Marketing Group, we’re ready to help you reflect on the past, plan for the future, and execute marketing strategies tailored to your needs.

Let us take the marketing workload off your plate so you can focus on running your business. Whether you need video production, social media management, or a new website design, we’ve got you covered.

Ready to set realistic marketing goals for 2025? Please visit our website at paragonmarketinggroup.com or call us at 262-443-9092. Let’s achieve success together.

Every Customer Touch Point Shapes Your Brand’s Story

An option to subscribe to an email newsletter on a work computer, demonstrating an example of a customer touch point

Picture this: a potential client discovers your business through a LinkedIn post, visits your website, reads your blog, and receives your email newsletter—all before making their first purchase. Each customer touch point weaves together to create their perception of your brand. At Paragon Marketing Group, we understand these moments of connection are crucial building blocks that drive business growth.

In this post, we’ll cover the difference between touch points and marketing channels, the customer’s journey, common touch points, the value of every interaction, and building your brand through touch points.

Understanding Touch Points vs. Marketing Channels

Marketing channels are the platforms or methods you use to reach your audience, such as email marketing, social media, or direct mail. Touch points, however, are the actual moments of interaction that occur within these channels. For example, while email is a marketing channel, a customer opening and reading your newsletter is a customer touch point.

Key Takeaway: Marketing channels provide the framework, but touch points create the actual connection with your audience.

Common Customer Touch Points

Now that you know the difference between marketing channels and touch points, it’s time to determine which touch points your customers are using to interact with you. Your business likely engages with customers through various touch points, such as these::

  • Website visits and blog content
  • Social media interactions
  • Email newsletters and campaigns
  • Direct mail materials
  • Customer service calls
  • Online advertisements
  • Customer reviews on Google
  • In-person interactions

Key Takeaway: To create a cohesive brand experience, you need to maintain consistency across all your touch points.

The Journey Through Touch Points

Touch points occur across several key stages:

  • Awareness: When customers first discover your brand.
  • Consideration: As they research and compare options.
  • Decision: When they’re ready to make a purchase.
  • Post-purchase: Throughout their experience using your product or service.
  • Loyalty: During ongoing engagement and repeat purchases.

Key Takeaway: Each stage of the customer journey presents unique opportunities for meaningful engagement.

The Value of Every Interaction

Not every customer touch point leads directly to a sale, but each one contributes to your brand’s story. Research shows that customers typically need at least 8 touch points on average before making a purchase decision. Each interaction builds familiarity, trust, and brand recognition.

For example, a prospect might search for a service on Google. Then, she may click on your website and read about your business. Before making a decision, she decides to look up your reviews on Google to see what other people think. She may even visit one or multiple of your business’s social media pages to see how up-to-date your brand is. Do people interact with the posts? Is the information current or outdated? She may decide to subscribe to your newsletter and think about what she really wants to do before making a purchasing decision.

Time goes by. Finally, the prospect is retargeted by a Facebook ad or maybe sees an ad on Hulu and is reminded of your business. She may receive another email or even click on an Instagram post before eventually deciding your business is right for her.

While the prospect needed several touch points before deciding to make a purchase, each touch point did not end with a sale. Rather, each touch point provided value by building familiarity and trust with the brand before the prospect finally chose to move forward.

Key Takeaway: Patient, consistent engagement across multiple touch points creates a strong foundation for future sales.

Building Your Brand Through Touch Points

Every touch point is an opportunity to demonstrate your brand’s values and expertise. At Paragon Marketing Group, we help businesses create meaningful interactions through various touch points, including:

Key Takeaway: Strategic customer touch points help create a memorable brand identity that resonates with your target audience.

Here’s a Quick Recap:

  1. Customer touch points create real connections within marketing channels.
  2. Consistency across touch points builds a cohesive brand experience.
  3. Different stages of the customer journey require different types of engagement.
  4. Multiple touch points work together to drive purchasing decisions.
  5. Every interaction contributes to your brand’s story and reputation.

In an increasingly competitive marketplace, every touch point counts. As a full-service marketing group, Paragon Marketing Group combines digital and traditional solutions to create meaningful customer interactions across all channels. We understand there’s no “one size fits all” approach to marketing, which is why we customize our touch point strategy to meet your specific business needs and goals.

Ready to strengthen your customer touch points? Please visit our website at paragonmarketinggroup.com or call us at 262-443-9092 to start developing a comprehensive marketing strategy that makes every interaction count.

Conquer Your Marketing Fears: A Business Owner’s Guide to Success

A frustrated business owner dealing with marketing fears

As a business owner, you’re no stranger to challenges. However, marketing fears often tops the list of concerns. Why? Because it’s a field that can seem overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to run your business simultaneously.

Let’s explore some of the biggest marketing fears business owners face and how to overcome them.

1. Lack of Marketing Knowledge

Many business owners feel they don’t understand marketing well enough to make informed decisions. This fear can paralyze your efforts and prevent you from taking necessary actions to grow your business. The rapidly evolving digital landscape can make it seem like you’re always playing catch-up with the latest trends and techniques.

Here are a few ways you can overcome this:

  • Educate yourself through online resources, blogs, and podcasts
  • Attend workshops, webinars, or local business events
  • Network with other business owners to share experiences and insights
  • Work with a marketing agency like Paragon Marketing Group for guidance and expertise

Key Takeaway: Embrace continuous learning and seek expert guidance to build your marketing knowledge and confidence.

2. Not Knowing Where to Start

The marketing landscape is vast, with numerous channels and strategies to choose from. It’s easy to feel lost when deciding where to begin your efforts. This overwhelm can lead to decision paralysis, preventing you from taking any action at all.

Try these strategies to address decision paralysis:

  • Identify your target audience and create detailed buyer personas
  • Research where your audience spends time online and what content they engage with
  • Focus on one or two channels initially, mastering them before expanding
  • Analyze your competitors’ marketing efforts for insights and inspiration
  • Consider your business goals and choose marketing strategies that align with them

Key Takeaway: Start by understanding your audience and focusing on a few key channels, gradually expanding your efforts as you gain confidence and see results.

3. Spending Too Much Without Results

One of the most common fears is investing money in marketing without seeing a return. This concern is valid, but remember: marketing is an investment, not an expense. Many small business owners worry about allocating precious resources to marketing campaigns that might not yield immediate results. However, effective marketing often requires patience and persistence.

To address this fear, we recommend the following tactics:

  • Set clear, measurable goals
  • Track your results consistently
  • Be patient and give your strategies time to work
  • Adjust your approach based on data and insights

Key Takeaway: Approach marketing as a strategic investment with clear goals and metrics, allowing time for strategies to yield results.

4. Committing More Than You’re Ready For

Long-term contracts or large-scale campaigns can be intimidating. You might worry about biting off more than you can chew, especially if you’re new to structured marketing efforts. This fear can prevent you from taking necessary steps to grow your business.

To avoid this, try the following:

  • Look for flexible marketing solutions that can scale with your business
  • Start with short-term commitments or project-based work
  • Gradually increase your marketing efforts as you see results and gain confidence
  • Regularly review and adjust your marketing plan based on your comfort level and business needs

At Paragon Marketing Group, we understand there’s no “one size fits all” when it comes to marketing your business. We offer flexible, customizable solutions that won’t require you to overcommit to any price or service you’re not comfortable with.

Key Takeaway: Start with flexible, scalable marketing solutions and gradually increase your commitment as you see positive results and grow more comfortable.

5. Understanding Data to Make Smart Decisions

The abundance of marketing data available can be overwhelming. You might fear misinterpreting data or making wrong decisions based on it, leading to missed opportunities or wasted resources.

If you want to become more data-savvy, consider the following ideas:

  • Focus on key performance indicators (KPIs) relevant to your specific goals
  • Use tools that simplify data analysis and visualization
  • Work with a marketing agency like Paragon Marketing Group for deeper insights

Key Takeaway: Embrace data-driven decision-making by focusing on relevant KPIs and using tools or experts to help interpret and act on the insights.

6. Sending the Right Messages

Crafting the perfect message that resonates with your audience can be daunting. You might worry about saying the wrong thing or being misunderstood, especially in today’s fast-paced and often sensitive social climate.

Want to improve your messaging? Try these methods:

  • Know your audience intimately, including their pain points and aspirations
  • Test different messages with small groups before large-scale implementation
  • Be authentic and true to your brand values in all communications
  • Use storytelling to create emotional connections with your audience
  • Stay informed about current events and cultural shifts that might affect your messaging
  • Get outside opinions from marketing partners you trust for honest, helpful insight

Key Takeaway: Develop authentic, audience-centric messaging through thorough research, testing, and a commitment to your brand values.

7. Failing to Gain New Customers

What if you invest in marketing but don’t see an increase in customers? This fear is common but can be mitigated with the right approach. Remember that customer acquisition is often a process, not an instant result.

Here are a few ways you can address this concern:

  • Ensure your marketing targets the right audience with relevant messaging
  • Create compelling offers or promotions to attract new customers
  • Continuously test and refine your approach based on customer feedback and data
  • Remember, marketing is only the first step. Implement a strong follow-up system to nurture leads.

Key Takeaway: Focus on targeted, value-driven marketing strategies and be prepared to adapt your approach based on customer responses and data insights.

8. Retaining Current Customers

While acquiring new customers is crucial, keeping existing ones is equally important. You might fear losing loyal customers in pursuit of new ones, or struggle to balance resources between acquisition and retention efforts.

To balance retention and acquisition, consider these options:

  • Implement customer loyalty programs to reward repeat business
  • Regularly engage with your existing customer base through email newsletters and personalized communication
  • Gather and act on customer feedback to improve your products or services
  • Create exclusive offers or early access for loyal customers

Key Takeaway: Implement a balanced marketing strategy that values customer retention as much as acquisition, using personalized engagement and loyalty programs.

9. Choosing the Wrong Marketing Agency

Selecting a marketing partner is a big decision. You might worry about picking an agency that doesn’t understand your business or deliver results. This fear is rooted in the potential for wasted resources and missed opportunities if you partner with an agency that’s not the right fit for your business.

To ease this concern, here are our recommendations:

  • Research potential agencies thoroughly, looking at their portfolio and client testimonials
  • Ensure the agency’s values and communication style align with yours
  • Discuss your goals, budget, and expectations openly during initial consultations

Key Takeaway: Take time to vet potential marketing agencies, starting with small projects to ensure a good fit before making a long-term commitment.

10. Losing Control Over Marketing Efforts

When you outsource marketing, you might fear losing control over your brand’s message or direction. This concern often stems from a deep personal investment in your business and a desire to maintain its unique voice and values.

If you want to maintain control, here are some guidelines:

  • Clearly communicate your brand values, voice, and goals to your marketing team
  • Be involved in key decisions and strategy planning sessions
  • Create a brand guide that outlines your visual identity and messaging guidelines
  • Provide constructive feedback and be open to professional recommendations

Key Takeaway: Maintain involvement in your marketing efforts through clear communication and collaborative decision-making with your marketing team.

Here’s a Quick Recap:

  1. Embrace continuous learning and seek expert guidance to build your marketing knowledge and confidence.
  2. Start by understanding your audience and focusing on a few key channels, gradually expanding your efforts as you gain confidence and see results.
  3. Approach marketing as a strategic investment with clear goals and metrics, allowing time for strategies to yield results.
  4. Start with flexible, scalable marketing solutions and gradually increase your commitment as you see positive results and grow more comfortable.
  5. Start with flexible, scalable marketing solutions and gradually increase your commitment as you see positive results and grow more comfortable.
  6. Develop authentic, audience-centric messaging through thorough research, testing, and a commitment to your brand values.
  7. Focus on targeted, value-driven marketing strategies and be prepared to adapt your approach based on customer responses and data insights.
  8. Implement a balanced marketing strategy that values customer retention as much as acquisition, using personalized engagement and loyalty programs.
  9. Take time to vet potential marketing agencies, starting with small projects to ensure a good fit before making a long-term commitment.
  10. Maintain involvement in your marketing efforts through clear communication and collaborative decision-making with your marketing team.

Remember, you’re not alone in these marketing fears. Many business owners face similar challenges. The key is to acknowledge these fears and take steps to address them.

At Paragon Marketing Group, we understand these concerns intimately. As a Wisconsin marketing company, we’ve helped countless businesses overcome their marketing fears and achieve success. Our approach is simple: You Run Your Business, We’ll Run Your Marketing.

Don’t let marketing fears hold your business back. Please visit our website at paragonmarketinggroup.com or call us at 262-443-9092, and let’s turn those fears into opportunities for growth and success.

Marketing with the Customer in Mind: Strategies for Success

a salesperson who is demonstrating marketing with the customer in mind

Today, it’s easy for small business owners to fall into the trap of making marketing decisions based on their personal preferences rather than what’s best for their customers. However, effective marketing must be crafted with the customer in mind to truly resonate and drive results.

In this blog post, we’ll cover the benefits of marketing with the customer in mind and provide actionable strategies to make your marketing efforts customer-centric.

Strategies for Marketing with the Customer in Mind

Check out these six ways to start marketing with your customers top of mind:

Salesperson in salon demonstrating marketing with the customer in mind
Are you marketing with your customers in mind?

Strategy #1: Understand Your Target Audience

Before you even start to market, you should know your target audience inside and out. If you have an idea but you need more information, consider conducting market research to gather data about your target audience’s demographics, preferences, and behaviors. 

Tools like surveys, focus groups, and social media analytics can provide valuable insights. This data will help you create detailed buyer personas that represent your ideal customers.

Takeaway: Effective marketing starts with a deep understanding of your target audience.

Strategy #2: Prioritize Customer Needs Over Personal Preferences

One common mistake business owners make is basing marketing decisions on their own tastes and opinions. While it’s natural to have a vision for your brand, you need to prioritize your customers’ needs and preferences as they’re the ones who will be purchasing and using your product or service. What appeals to you may not necessarily appeal to your customers.


One of the best ways to find out if your customers are satisfied is to first, ask them! Whether you’re asking a client in person or requesting customer feedback after they’ve made a purchase, your customer is your best source of information to understand whether you need to make changes to your product or service.

The next best way to find out if your customers are satisfied is to dig into the data. More on that in our next strategy . . .

Takeaway: Use customer feedback to guide your marketing strategies rather than personal bias.

Strategy #3: Utilize Data-Driven Decision Making

Data is a powerful tool that can help you make informed marketing decisions. By analyzing customer data, you can identify trends, preferences, and behaviors that inform your marketing strategies.

For instance, using analytics to find out what social posts are most engaging, which emails are producing the most sales, which graphics are resonating the most, and which buttons are getting clicked most on your website, can help you best understand what is resonating most with your audience. Using data to drive decisions ensures your marketing efforts are grounded in evidence rather than guesswork.

Takeaway: Relying on data-driven insights leads to more strategic marketing decisions.

Strategy #4: Create Personalized Experiences

Personalization is key to making your customers feel valued and understood. Tailor your marketing messages to address the specific needs and preferences of different segments of your audience.

Personalization can be as simple as using the customer’s name in emails, responding directly to social media comments, or recommending products based on past purchases. If you’re the founder or owner of a small business, often meeting and speaking to customers face-to-face can go a long way. When customers feel that your marketing is speaking directly to them, they are more likely to engage and convert.

Takeaway: Personalized marketing creates a stronger connection with your customers and enhances engagement.

Strategy #5: Focus on Value and Solutions

Your marketing should clearly communicate the value and solutions your products or services provide. Customers are looking for solutions to their problems, so your marketing messages should highlight how your offerings can meet their needs. Instead of focusing solely on the features of your product, emphasize the benefits and outcomes that customers will experience.

Takeaway: Highlighting value and solutions in your marketing messages resonates more with customers.

Strategy #6: Test and Adapt

Marketing is not a one-size-fits-all approach. What works for one audience may not work for another. Continuously test different marketing strategies and measure their effectiveness. Be prepared to adapt and refine your approach based on what the data shows.

Even if an old website, former mailer, or a specific marketing channel produced results in the past doesn’t mean that it’s what will work best for your business today. Flexibility and willingness to change are crucial for staying relevant and being successful in your marketing efforts.

Takeaway: Continuous testing and adaptation ensure your marketing strategies remain effective and relevant.

Here’s a Quick Recap:
  1. Effective marketing starts with a deep understanding of your target audience.
  2. Use customer feedback to guide your marketing strategies rather than personal bias.
  3. Relying on data-driven insights leads to more strategic marketing decisions.
  4. Personalized marketing creates a stronger connection with your customers and enhances engagement.
  5. Highlighting value and solutions in your marketing messages resonates more with customers.
  6. Continuous testing and adaptation ensure your marketing strategies remain effective and relevant.

Marketing with the customer in mind is essential for building strong relationships and driving business success. By understanding your audience, prioritizing their needs, utilizing data-driven decisions, personalizing experiences, focusing on value, and being adaptable, you can create marketing strategies that truly resonate with your customers. 

At Paragon Marketing Group, we emphasize the importance of customer-centric marketing to help businesses achieve their goals. Remember, effective marketing is not about what you prefer but about what your customers need and want.

Please visit our website at paragonmarketinggroup.com or call us at 262-443-9092 to learn more about how we can help put your customers at the center of your marketing strategy.

Why Your Website Content Matters

A computer on a desk with a website on screen, showing the value of good website content

Your website is often the first impression potential customers have of your business. While visual design sets the stage, it’s your website content that informs, engages, and compels visitors to become customers. High-quality website content should be a top priority for small business owners looking to drive leads and sales online.

Why Does Your Website Content Matter?

Let’s review some of the biggest benefits your website and business will experience from having high quality content:

Two working professionals working on their website content
Why does your website content matter?

Provides Value for Visitors

Excellent website content should educate, engage, and add value for visitors. But before you can think of how your website content can achieve these action items, put yourself in the shoes of a website visitor and ask yourself, “Why are they viewing my website?”

Once you know that answer (you may have multiple answers), your website needs to provide solutions. Consider these ideas:

  • Offer tips and how-tos. Depending on the products or services your business offers, this can be really helpful for both current and potential clients. If you want to include more detailed, in-depth information about your products/services, consider having a blog on your website.
  • Provide an explanation of products/services. Ever hear the saying, “Can’t see the forest for the trees”? While you know your product or service inside and out, odds are that most people do not. It’s a delicate task to explain what your products/services are in a cohesive, structured way while not providing too much content or detail but also offering enough information so viewers aren’t confused.
  • Share local information. Where is your service area? Who is your target customer? Sharing helpful information about the areas you serve, how your business fits into the area, and any relevant contact information will make it simple for your ideal customer to work with and contact you.

Providing truly useful content keeps readers engaged and spending more time on your site.

Takeaway: Creating high quality website content by offering tips, providing an explanation of services, and sharing local information will provide value to website visitors.

Boosts Your SEO

Well-written, keyword-focused website content also aids search engine optimization (SEO). While the use of AI to help create content can be useful, it can’t completely replace a human writer or optimize your content for SEO.

You can write the best content, but without properly utilizing relevant keywords throughout natural-sounding copy, search engines like Google won’t be able to understand your pages’ topics. Not having your content indexed by search engines will directly impact how high you can rank in search results.

The moral of the story? Optimized content attracts more qualified organic traffic to your site.

Takeaway: High quality content optimized for search engines will help you rank higher in search results and drive more traffic to your website.

Supports Your Overall Marketing

Your website content isn’t just the hub that anchors all marketing efforts driving traffic to your site – it’s also the only digital “salesperson” operating 24/7 for your business. Just like your branding should be consistent across all graphic design, web design, and print materials, so should your web copy align with and support campaigns across social media, PPC ads, email marketing, and more.

Strong, consistent content better converts that traffic into leads across channels.

Takeaway: Your web copy is an integral part of your marketing that requires consistency across all relevant marketing channels.

Enhances the User Experience

If you’ve ever been on a website and were unable to find the information you’re looking for, clicked links that turned out to be broken, or couldn’t understand the information provided, you might have decided that business wasn’t worth working with, given your negative experience.

Users should be able to easily navigate and find information on your site. Here are a few ways you can achieve this through your website content:

  • Write descriptive headers that are clear so visitors can quickly scan and jump to the sections most relevant to them.
  • Include bulleted lists to help break up dense paragraphs and highlight key takeaways, which helps retain reader attention.
  • Use ample paragraph breaks to make the content less intimidating and easier to digest so readers are not confronted with a huge wall of text.

Add internal links to improve user experience, allowing visitors to seamlessly navigate to other related pages of interest. This keeps visitors on pages longer, and viewing more content rather than quickly clicking away.

Takeaway: Well-written and organized website copy results in a positive user experience that keeps people on your site longer and viewing more content overall.

Increases Leads and Sales

Informative, engaging website content educates consumers so they feel confident doing business with you. By consistently providing valuable information through your copy, you establish expertise and credibility. Readers see you as an authority they can rely on for solutions related to your products or services.

Here’s an example of how this might look on a buyer’s journey:

  1. First, they may land on a blog post from a search, learning about their problem. 
  2. Second, they read about tips for evaluating solutions, building desire.
  3. Finally, more content compares options and outlines your process, nurturing leads.

With each stage, viewers become more qualified due to the knowledge they’ve gained from your website content. They feel assured you understand their needs and can provide the right solution.

In this way, useful copy moves prospects through the sales funnel, turning cold traffic into engaged subscribers, qualified leads, and finally loyal customers. Your website content plays a central role in attracting and converting visitors throughout the buyer’s journey.

Takeaway: When every piece of website copy, from blog posts to service pages, focuses on addressing needs, solving problems, and clearly communicating value, website visitors can become qualified leads and loyal customers.

Here’s a Quick Recap:
  1. Provide value: Creating high quality website content by offering tips, providing an explanation of services, and sharing local information will provide value to website visitors.
  2. Boost SEO: High quality content optimized for search engines will help you rank higher in search results and drive more traffic to your website.
  3. Support marketing efforts: Your web copy is an integral part of your marketing that requires consistency across all relevant marketing channels.
  4. Enhance user experience: Well-written and organized website copy results in a positive user experience that keeps people on your site longer and viewing more content overall.
  5. Increase leads & sales: When every piece of website copy, from blog posts to service pages, focuses on addressing needs, solving problems, and clearly communicating value, website visitors can become qualified leads and loyal customers.

At Paragon Marketing Group, we understand that creating great website content requires an investment of time and resources. But the payoff in increased visibility, traffic, leads and sales makes it well worth it.

If you need help with your website content, contact our team to perform an audit of your current site and revamp the copy to deliver better results. Let us optimize your 24/7 online salesperson through high-impact website content.

To learn more, please visit our website at paragonmarketinggroup.com or call us at 262-443-9092. We’d love to hear from you.

The Power of Reviews: How to Get More for Your Small Business

a woman on her phone demonstrating the power of reviews

Positive reviews are vital for small businesses competing in the digital marketplace. With 92% of people reading online reviews before making purchasing decisions, reviews influence your discoverability, reputation, conversions, and even SEO, proving how far the power of reviews stretches. This makes cultivating an outstanding review profile essential.

Understanding the Power of Reviews for Your Small Business

To understand the power of reviews, let’s review the benefits positive reviews can provide for your business as well as some effective strategies to help you procure those reviews:

5 gold star next to a keyboard, showing the power of reviews on a small business
How many 5-star reviews do you have for your business?

Benefits of Great Reviews

Many business owners are so overwhelmed with running their businesses that garnering positive reviews on Google, Facebook, or Yelp usually isn’t top of mind, much less a priority. But positive, 5-star reviews provide many advantages that can significantly impact your success, including the following:

  • Boost credibility and trust in your business
  • Improve local search rankings and drive traffic
  • Persuade prospects to convert into customers
  • Promote repeat business and referrals
  • Counteract any negative reviews
  • Build brand authority and clout in your niche

With so much to gain, focusing on getting more online reviews should be a priority. But even if you understand the many benefits of good reviews, how do you actually get them?

Takeaway: Prioritizing the procurement of positive reviews for your small business will boost your credibility, improve your SEO, lead to referrals, and promote repeat business.

Strategies to Get More Reviews

At Paragon Marketing Group, we understand that it takes some effort to maintain a robust review profile. However, implementing these simple strategies can help generate more customer feedback on an ongoing basis.

Ask for Reviews Everywhere

The easiest way to get reviews is to directly ask satisfied customers to leave feedback. But don’t limit yourself to just one platform. Collecting reviews across multiple sites broadens your exposure. Make sure to include the following sites:

  • Google My Business – Google is the most common site potential customers will visit, making it critical for visibility. This requires your business to have an official Google My Business profile so customers can find you.
  • Facebook – While Facebook isn’t used as much as Google for reviews, getting reviews on Facebook helps with social proof, especially as Facebook still reigns as the most popular social media platform in the world.
  • Yelp or Houzz – Depending on the industry your small business is in, you may want to consider an industry-specific site like Yelp or Houzz where people leave reviews as these specific sites build authority within their particular niches.
Make Review Requests a Routine

A key strategy to get positive reviews for your small business is to incorporate review requests into your regular customer interactions. Some best practices to implement into your schedule include the following:

  • Ask for reviews once a purchase has been made.
  • Add a link directly to your Google My Business or Facebook page in email signatures.
  • Print a QR code on receipts, invoices, or custom cards to hand out to customers.
  • When you or sales staff are face-to-face with clients, request verbally at the point of service.
  • Promote positive, 5-star reviews on your social media platforms and website.
Offer an Incentive

Encouraging reviews through a reward or giveaway helps motivate customers. Offer a discount, free product sample, or entry into a prize drawing in exchange for leaving a review. Just ensure incentives are not conditional upon getting a 5-star rating.

Respond and Interact . . . No Matter the Review

Being engaged with your reviews shows customers you listen and care. Always respond promptly and politely to feedback – positive and negative. This fosters goodwill and shows your brand values customer perspectives.

From a customer perspective, negative reviews for a business may hold significant weight. But so does the way in which the business responds to those reviews. Consider this advice from Skip on how to address negative reviews.

Takeaway: Actively asking for reviews and incorporating the process into your routine will enable you to garner those positive reviews you need.

Here’s a Quick Recap:
  1. Prioritizing the procurement of positive reviews for your small business will boost your credibility, improve your SEO, lead to referrals, and promote repeat business.
  2. Actively asking for reviews and incorporating the process into your routine will enable you to garner those positive reviews you need.

With a rigorous review generation strategy, you can build the social proof and reputation that propels business growth.

At Paragon Marketing Group, we’d be remiss if we failed to take our own advice. So we’re going to implement our first recommended strategy to obtain a few reviews. If you’re a client satisfied with the level of surface we’ve provided, will you leave us a 5-star review on Google?

If you need help managing your online presence or more strategies for procuring positive reviews, please contact us. Visit our website at paragonmarketinggroup.com or call us at 262-443-9092. We’d love to hear from you.