World-Class Marketing for New Business Owners

World-Class Marketing for New Business Owners: How to Create Unforgettable Customer Experiences and Outshine Your Competition

What do customers get from you, and what do they get from your competitor? This is the essence of the customer experience, and it’s what differentiates your business. The better you are at shaping that experience, the greater your reach – and your profits – no matter the industry. Force #3 of the 7 Forces of Business Mastery is World-Class Marketing. Fundamentally, it requires knowing:

• Who your customers are, and what they want and need
• How to tell your core story in a way that compels them to buy
• Everything there is to know about your product or service, so you can educate your prospects about why your offering is the best choice

Unleashing Force #3: World-Class Marketing

World-Class Marketing isn’t just about getting your message out—it’s about creating an experience that makes your business unforgettable. This is Force #3 of the 7 Forces of Business Mastery, and it’s the difference between being just another option and becoming the only choice in your customer’s mind. When you truly understand who your customers are, what they value, and how to tell your story in a way that resonates, you don’t just attract attention—you create raving fans who spread your message for you.

I remember early in my career, I was launching one of my first seminars. I didn’t have a big budget, but I knew I had to create a marketing experience that stood out. Instead of just advertising, I focused on connecting with people—sharing stories, offering real value, and listening deeply to what they needed. That personal touch and relentless focus on their experience turned a small event into a sold-out room, and it taught me that world-class marketing is about building relationships, not just making noise.

“World-class marketing isn’t about shouting the loudest. It’s about listening the deepest and delivering more value than anyone else.” —Tony Robbins

Marketing Best Practices

1. Find out where your customers are
   Choosing which platforms to focus on is marketing strategy best practices 101. Customers prioritize different social media platforms; factors like age, demographic and interests play heavily into what will catch your customers’ eyes – and where. Developing buyer personas will help you get a better picture of your target market. To create accurate personas, your team will need to conduct market research and reach out to former, current and potential customers. Determine where the majority of your customer base spends most of their time and engagement online, then focus your budget and time there.
   
   Early in my career, I realized I was spending energy in the wrong places—trying to reach everyone, everywhere. It wasn’t until I focused on where my ideal clients actually spent their time that things shifted. I remember launching a seminar and, instead of blanketing every channel, I zeroed in on radio stations and community groups my audience trusted. The response was explosive, and it taught me: go where your customers already are, and you’ll multiply your impact.
   
2. Be available
   Any marketing practices you engage in – no matter how successful – will not produce results if your team is not available. You need to be there for your customers when they need you. In today’s always-on environment, you must meet that expectation by helping your customers access information, get help and share experiences. You also must offer this on their schedule and across different forms of media, including Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and other channels. Spend a few minutes daily monitoring your social media presence, or assign a staff member to do so, and you will gain valuable intelligence about your prospects and customers.
   
3. Respond quickly and with meaning
   Everything is immediate now and your marketing strategy best practices must reflect this. Customers expect prompt interactions. A quick reply is valuable only when you fully understand a customer’s questions, intentions and needs. As I always say, your customer’s life is your business’ life. You’ve spent years learning the competition; now it’s time to learn about your customers and respond in a meaningful fashion when they need your help. If you don’t understand what they need, ask questions and deeply listen. This will help you connect with your customers and turn them into raving fans.
   
   I’ll never forget a time when a client reached out late at night with a concern about an upcoming event. Instead of waiting until morning, I called them back right away. That single act of responsiveness turned a frustrated customer into a lifelong raving fan. It’s not just about speed—it’s about showing people they matter.
   
4. Understand their goals and help them make informed decisions
   Social media channels provide the opportunity to ask your prospects about what they really want from your product or service. In this consultative approach to marketing practices, you’re letting each customer know, “We’re listening, and we want to establish a long-term relationship with you.” When you really understand your customers’ needs, you can take massive action to create the outcomes that make them feel welcome, important and comfortable.
   
5. Collaborate with your customers to create value
   You’re not just marketing a product – you’re partnering with your customers. Successful businesses are more collaborative now than ever before, adding value that helps clients realize their goals. Marketing best practices dictate that you tailor your products and services to the customer, not the other way around, and that begins with your marketing outreach. Start a dialogue with your customers on your social media channels to get feedback on their pain points and how your products or services can make their lives easier. When you work with them to innovate, you know you’re moving in the right direction.
   
6. Add a personal touch
   You probably remember every detail from your company’s earliest days – including the face of your very first customer. Are your current customers as memorable? Current marketing strategy best practices state that individualized relationships now excel routine transactions. A thoughtful social media strategy, properly executed, will enable you to become more familiar with your customers. You’ll then be in a position to ask questions, gather intelligence, become more of a partner and add those personalized touches that lead to loyal customers.
   
   Years ago, I made it a point to remember the names and stories of my first seminar attendees. Decades later, I still hear from some of those people. That personal connection—sending a handwritten note, remembering a birthday, or just checking in—turns customers into family. It’s the small touches that create loyalty for life.
   
7. Build credibility
   Social media marketing practices won’t work if your customer base doesn’t trust you. To build credibility, you need to share information that establishes you as a thought leader in your industry. Constantly selling to your followers is ineffective and potentially counterproductive. To make your business talkably different on social media and drive word of mouth, share insightful and helpful information that matters to your customers. Educate them. Entertain them. Engage them in meaningful conversation. This is the foundation necessary if you want to build a social strategy that leads to a larger customer base and more sales.
   
8. Measure and refine
   What’s working and not working with your social media strategy? Marketing best practices include tools to measure your efforts and determine which platform is driving the most traffic and engagement. When you know what’s resonating with your customers, you can create more of these interactions and reduce the posts that are being ignored. Adopt a practice of constant and strategic innovation to try out new technology, platforms and tools so you’re always on the cutting edge.

“Your brand is the promise you make, but your marketing is the story you tell—and the experience you deliver.” —Tony Robbins

World-Class Marketing: Your Path to Lasting Impact

At the end of the day, world-class marketing is about more than tactics—it’s about creating a movement around your brand. When you put your customer at the center, tell a compelling story, and deliver value at every touchpoint, you don’t just win business—you build loyalty that lasts. Remember, marketing is the bridge between your vision and the people you serve. Master this force, and you’ll not only grow your reach, you’ll create a legacy. Live with passion, and always strive to deliver more than anyone expects—because that’s what world-class is all about.

“Marketing is about values. It’s about connecting with people at the deepest level and showing them you understand their needs.” —Tony Robbins