In the ruthless world of small business, every pound, dollar or bitcoin counts. The temptation to pour money into marketing can be overwhelming, but often it leads to disappointing results as we hear so often from small business owners looking for help.

Instead of burning through your budget, take a lesson from history’s greatest conqueror, Alexander the Great. His strategic genius, focus of results and unconventional methods can teach you how to make a massive impact without breaking the bank.

Unconventional Tactics: Targeting the Heart of the Opponent

Alexander the Great was a master of unconventional warfare, always aiming to strike at the heart of his opponents. This precise targeting is akin to pinpoint marketing—focusing your efforts on the most critical areas for maximum impact. Don’t burn any more money on marketing, especially when it's broad, unfocused and ego oriented; instead, concentrate on what really matters – winning customers and sometimes that could mean picking up the phone yourself to ten prospects and arranging a meeting yourself rather than scattering guns.

Identify the Weak Points

Alexander’s victories often stemmed from identifying and exploiting his enemies' weaknesses, sometimes they were in theory the strongest points, but he hit them hard with intent.

For you as a small business, this means deep market and competitor analysis to ensure you have all the knowledge you need. Where are your competitors vulnerable or the market exposed? Once you know this, prepare to fire your biggest weapons or offers, prepare to target it relentlessly with intense, prolonged, clear powerful messages in as many forms as you can – systemise this, map it out and follow your plans to the end.

Leverage Guerrilla Marketing

Much like Alexander’s use of unconventional tactics in battle, guerrilla marketing allows small businesses to achieve significant results on a shoestring budget. 

Creative, low-cost strategies can create buzz and attract attention. Thinking flash mobs, viral videos, or unique social media campaigns. Fine for B2C but with B2B I recommend you pick a list of your top 100 clients and tell them that you want them as a client and will be tenacious in trying to make that happen but could short cut it with a face to face meeting to find out how you can win them over.

Sometimes being absolutely clear and direct is the fastest route to your goal.

Utter Focus and Belief: The Foundation of Success

Alexander’s success wasn’t just about tactics; it was his unwavering belief in his destiny and focused vision that set him apart. As a small business owner, embodying this mindset is crucial. We know at Don’t burn any more money on Marketing that without a clear solid inner belief fuelled destination you can easily fall short.

Believe in Your Vision

Alexander’s confidence in his destiny was unshakable. He believed he was meant to conquer the known world, and this belief fuelled every action. Similarly, you must have absolute belief in your vision. This conviction will help you persevere through challenges and inspire your team and customers. Confidence is imperative, if you work with us at Don’t Burn Any More Money on Marketing, we will teach you everything we know to maximise your confidence and belief.

Clarity of Purpose

With a clear, compelling vision, Alexander was able to unify his troops and maintain their loyalty. For your business, a well-defined purpose not only guides your strategic decisions but also resonates with your customers. People are drawn to businesses that stand for something. Make sure your mission is clear and communicated consistently, we use our GROWTH MAPPING tool sessions at Don’t Burn Any More Money On Marketing to ensure  you keep your purpose unpolluted from the outside world.

Achieving the Most Gain in the Shortest Time

Alexander the Great’s campaigns were characterised by rapid and decisive victories. Small businesses can emulate this by focusing on strategies that deliver quick and substantial returns. Your advantage as a small business owner is to make quick decisions but make sure you know how they will benefit your plan. Having a GROWTH MAP will help you make the right decision fast, we at Don’t Burn Any More Money On Marketing will teach you how to obsess over your GROWTH MAP and your end goal of FREEDOM.

Prioritise High-Impact Actions

Not all actions are created equal. Focus on marketing efforts that offer the highest potential return on investment but also that drive your GROWTH MAP numbers. This might mean investing in a highly targeted ad campaign or something unconventional, a well-timed product launch, a strategic partnership that opens new markets or out bidding on your click budget. When you understand your GROWTH MAP we at Don’t Burn Any More Money On Marketing guarantee you your decision making will be easier than ever.

Measure and Adapt

Alexander was a master at adapting to changing circumstances on the battlefield. In business, it’s crucial to continually measure the effectiveness of your marketing efforts and be willing to pivot as needed. Use data analytics to track what works and what doesn’t and adjust your strategies accordingly. Luckily the FREEDOM ENGINE and GROWTH MAPPER of Don’t’ Burn Any More Money On Marketing are tools that use data and increase your knowledge to help you accelerate your success.

Conclusion: Channel Your Inner Conqueror

By adopting the mindset and tactics of Alexander the Great, small business owners can achieve significant success without burning through their marketing budgets. Focus on unconventional tactics, maintain absolute belief in your vision, and prioritise high-impact actions. With these strategies, you can conquer your market and achieve the greatest gain in the shortest time.

Remember, just as Alexander’s belief in his destiny and strategic genius led him to extraordinary victories, your unwavering focus and innovative approach can lead your business to unparalleled success. Don’t burn any more money on marketing. Be bold, be strategic, and conquer your business world like Alexander the Great (only don’t kill anyone in the process!!)