Last night I had the privilege of seeing Gary Kunath, founder and CEO of the Summit Group speak at Miami University.  While Gary is like a father figure to me, it was extremely impressive and motivational to see him up in front of a large crowd. 

Gary spoke about being marketable.  About how experience and interaction among consumers is what is driving business these days.  Rather than enticing people through advertisements and creating a brand through traditional marketing strategies, it is time for us to switch gears and build our brands based on experience. 

For small business marketing, this is especially true.  To gain the repeat customers you desire, it is important that companies create a strong in-store or online experience.  By offering interactive marketing where consumers can not only see the product or service, but can use the product/service, or talk to the employees and other consumers, consumers tend to become brand loyal.  In addition, having pages out there on MySpace and Facebook that allow consumers to engage actively in a company's interactive marketing, makes it easier for consumers to talk to one another about the product, trust one another about the benefits of the product, and it also allows them to be reminded each day that the product/service is out there and ready for them.

The same hold true with the employees within the business.  The more they interact and have fun with those they can relate to their colleagues, the more loyal they become as well.  So, as you begin to build your company's marketing strategy remember that is important to have fun, be yourself, and entertain the consumer through positive interaction and communication.