If you think marketing isn't important for start-ups, think again. Marketing drives sales for businesses of all sizes by ensuring that customers think of their brand when they want to buy. Marketing helps a new business to become known, and to attract and retain customers so it can survive and grow.

How to sell

The ability to convince people to spend their money is probably the most valuable skill in business. To some, it comes naturally. Others get better with time. There are numerous techniques that can be learned. Crucially, you need to be able to be able to convincingly explain the benefits of your products/services, overcome objections and fears, recognise customer buying signals and close the sale.

Marketing must be part of the everyday fabric of your business. You need to assess your sales and marketing activity continually, learn from your mistakes, build on your successes - and remain open to new methods.

• Determination of the target audience and accordingly the marketing strategy

• Target customer segment

• Competitor analysis

• Marketing strategies

• Developing sales strategies and setting targets

• Promotional and advertising work

• The quantities of goods on display and in stock

• Lead generation strategy creation

• Strategic sales plans

• Product placement sponsorship

• Process improvement

• Digital marketing consultancy

• Process improvement

• Performance evaluation