3 Marketing Tactics to Grow Any Business

Patrick McFadden

Do you want more ways to reach prospects and customers?

Do you want to market your business consistently using low-cost marketing methods to increase profits?

Do you want to be ahead of your competition with your marketing plan?

If you answered yes to any of the questions above you need “marketing that’s indispensable.” In this article I’ll share how you can grow your business by working with a combination of marketing tactics.

Here are the  3 marketing tactics you can use right away to surpass your competition and improve your marketing in a meaningful, purposeful and profitable way.

Marketing Tactic #1. Fusion Marketing

When one business partners with another for marketing purposes, that’s fusion marketing. Partnerships are one of the most underused, inexpensive, and effective methods of marketing and it doesn’t have to be complex.

In simple terms, fusion marketing is you saying, “Hey Patrick, if you enclose my business information and special offering in your next e-newsletter, I’ll enclose your  business information and special offering in mine.” or “Patrick, put up a sign for my store in your business; I’ll put up a sign for your business in my store.”

This marketing method expands your marketing exposure and reduces your marketing costs. Last but not least. The purpose of a fusion marketing arrangement: Mutual profitability. Realize that almost everyone in your community is a potential fusion marketing partner. Reach new audiences and new wallets!

Marketing Tactic #2.  Follow-up  

Do you follow-up? Do you ask? Not follow-up to sell something, but just to know. Just to find out. Just to double-check. Just to ask. Just to make things right if they were amiss or make things remarkable if they were just merely good.

Let’s face it, there isn’t a business out there that couldn’t improve on their follow-up. Chances are you’ve neglected to jump on a referral received, not followed up consistently on requests by existing customers, or sent what you promised to send after an appointment with a prospect. Your competition probably isn’t any different from you, which is exactly why you need to be remarkable in this area and why it’s a marketing tactic.

This tactic alone can transform your business when applied obsessively. When you’re obsessively preoccupied with the needs of others through follow-up— money, customers and good fortune starts to shows up.  Money is a testament to your having served another human being.  Having money is not shameful; it is a certificate of good performance granted to by your grateful fellow citizens.

Marketing Tactic #3.  Get a Podium

Speaking, presenting or teaching is a great tactic that is underutilized by most small businesses. Getting a podium presents unique long-term marketing opportunities for you. It places you face to face with a roomful of prospective clients who have signaled their interest in you and your topic by showing up.

You have the rare chance to meet and address people who want to learn about you and what you have to say. And you don’t have to find them—they come to you. As a marketing opportunity, what could be better?

Get started with these 3 key marketing tactics for your business and you’re going to see your bottom line blossom. And that will be because you’re focusing your energy in to areas that are proven to work and grow a business. Each of these tactics do not need to cost anything, but they don’t work unless you throw your energy, time, and passion into them on a regular basis.

Question: What do you think?

About the Author:  Patrick McFadden is the owner and marketing consultant at  Indispensable Marketing , a strategic marketing firm in Richmond, VA. He helps small to midsize businesses create marketing plans and growth processes that get new or better results.

By Patrick McFadden April 20, 2025
AI That Understands You
By Patrick McFadden April 18, 2025
Understanding platform intent, sales cycles, and what actually works in high-ticket home services
By Patrick McFadden March 31, 2025
1. The Challenge: VMI was like many service providers — positioning their value around what they thought clients wanted : “Office furniture installation and assembly — let us handle creating your perfect workspace.” But the actual buyers — facility managers, project managers, furniture reps — weren’t looking for “perfect workspaces.” They were trying to avoid installation nightmares . Their real priority? ✅ Great installation days. ✅ No chaos. ✅ No missed deadlines. ✅ No angry phone calls from clients. 2. The Insight: After conducting stakeholder interviews under our marketing strategy consulting engagement , the Indispensable Marketing team uncovered critical feedback: “We need installers who maintain a professional site and follow instructions.” “We lose relationships when installations go badly.” “I need quotes back quickly or I can’t sell the job.” This wasn’t just about services , it was about trust, problem-solving , and professional reliability . So we reframed their differentiators not by what they did, but how they showed up : Same-day project quotes Problem-solving on-site Update protocol with clients Professionalism guarantee Lasting Impression Insurance 3. The Shift: We shifted the positioning from vague benefits to real-world, emotional triggers : Instead of: “Let us create your perfect workspace.” Now: “Get the perfect installation day, every time.” That subtle shift aligns with who’s actually buying (and who feels the pain when things go wrong). The end-user may care about the workspace. But the buyer cares about the install . 4. The Lesson for Others: If you’re selling a service, don’t describe what you do. Describe what the client wants to avoid or achieve — and who the real buyer is. Then, systematize what you’re already doing well and give it a name. Just like our team did with: “Same Day Quotes” “Lasting Impression Insurance” “Reliable Presence Protocol” 5. The Outcome Within weeks of updating their messaging and positioning: The company reported more qualified leads asking the right questions Furniture reps began referring them because they were “easy to work with and made them look good” They were shortlisted for larger, multi-phase projects due to increased confidence in their process But most importantly, they stopped competing on price — because they weren’t selling perfect workspaces anymore. They were selling peace of mind on installation day.
More Posts