The marketing mix denotes a combination of the various elements which in their totality make up a marketing system i.e. the product, the price, the placement and the promotion.
The Product
The product element of the marketing mix involves the planning, designing and developing the right type of the product or service to meet the customer satisfaction.
The main decisions involve-;.
- The product involve
- The product size
- The product quality
- The product design
- The product range
- The product volume
- The product packaging
- The brand name and label.
- The product warranties and after sale service.
The product element of the marketing mix strives to establish.
- A product policy
- The product strategies
- The product mix
A product Policy
The product policy is a principal of operation on the production process of a given product adopted by the management to guide those who carry out the action. A product policy sets out the objectives to be achieved and also the limits within
which the management has to operate. The main functions of a product policy are to guide the activities of the firm towards
its common goals which include.
- Considerations of the product mix
- Considerations of the rate nature and direction in changes in demand
- Product elimination and new product dev.
The product policies engage in product planning development ,production marketing , volume of production , timing e.t.c
Product Mix
A product mix lists all products offered for sale by a company which details three diminutions of a product – namely;
- The product breadth
- The product depth and
- Consistency
The product breadth- is measured by the number of variety of products manufactures by a single firm e.g – the Panasonic company – making TVs fridges radios DVDs e.t.c
The product consistency – refers to the close relationship of different product line either to their end distribution channel e.t.c e.g. the Toyota Company – produces those goods which fall under motor vehicles – consistency is seen- unlike unilever.
The product depth- refers to the assortment of size, colour and models with each line e.g the Toyota car.
The Price
Pricing the product is an important element of the marketing mix. Price is the value or sum of money which is charged by the supplier of a product or service from the buyer. The financial price is the measurement of value and has the following importance.
- economic value- because it relates to the generation of product revenue.
- Profits – through price profit cost and revenue elements are measurable.
- Product quality – price gives indication of the product quality.
- The psychological element- price has a psychological influence in the market i.e high prices co-relate to superiority.
- Co-oporate goals- are achievable through pricing decisions especially in formulating marking strategies
- Meeting consumer expectations is measurable through price.
Placement
Also known as distribution of goods physically This component of the marketing mix is concerned with linking the seller and the
buyer. It involves the elements of
- The channels of distribution
- The transport means
- The warehousing
- The routing of the product.
Promotions
(A promotional message)
A product promotion is the act of providing information about a product to its prospective users in order to persuade them to buy , enjoy or choose the product.Any product promotional message usually includes information which shows;
- That the product exists
- That the product has ability to satisfy a particular want
- The physical location where the product can be obtained or enjoyed
- The qualities that the product can be obtained or enjoyed.
- The quantities that the product can be obtained
- The times when the product can be obtained
- The price of the product.
- Exam quest, briefly explain what entails a promotional message.
Factors that influence a product promotion.
1. The nature of the market
Where competition prevails, producers strive to make their products sale as opposed to less competitiveness.
2. The nature of the consumers
The level of information the consumers are accessible to creates awareness.
Any gaps left are filled with product promotion
3. The effect of modern technology.
The importance of product promotion
1. To inform potential customers about the existence qualities and other important details regarding a product.
2. To convince or persuade existing customers to continue buying the product and potential customers to choose it.
3. To establish a business image or goodwill among the existing and prospective customers
4. To facilitate more sales revenue.
Methods of Product Promotion
There are five main ways of promoting products namely
- Advertising
- Personal selling
- Sales promotion
- Publicity
- Public relations.
Advertising
Refers to drawing attention to or describing a product in a public medium e.g newspapers , radio, television e.t.c Any advert in order to give value for its purpose should contain the following aspects.
- a media presentation
- payments for the advert
- Identifiable sponsor who pays for the advert.
Note:
Any communication without costs to the sponsor is publicity and not advertisement.
Reasons for Advertising
1. To introduce new products
2. To stimulate desire for more quantities of the product
3. To persuade the public to buy the product
4. To explain new uses of a product
5. To remind customers of the existing product
6. To explain new used of a product
7. To create recognition of a particular brand of products
8. To maintain the products name or slogan in public
9. To prepare way for sales persons in selling ‘
10. To remove any bias that customers may have developed about the product.
11. To inform customers of new prices, packaging changes or any other changes
12. To supplement the efforts of salesmen
13. To reach out for few markets.
Types of Advertising
Any advert may be classified on the basis of
- What is emphasized
- The nature of the message advertised
- The geographical coverage
But the main types include.
1. product advertising – which basically promotes the sale of a particular brand of a product a. no mention of the manufacturer and emphasis is on the product e.g Accountancy profession”
2. Institutional advertising – tends to focus on creating a positive attitude on the business producing or providing the product / service emphasis in on the institution.
3. Primary demand advertising – targets demand stimulation for arrange of products without mentioning a specific brand or manufacturer e.g Adidas products or GNLD products.
4. Celebrity advertising – the advert uses a famous personality to enclose the use of a given product – The aim is to use these people to attract attention.
5. Corrective advertisement – seeks to correct errors or misleading claims made in an earlier advertisement.
Advertising Media
An advertising media is the means through which an advertised message is conveyed to the members of the public who are consumers.
The following are some of types of media available to advertisement.
- The press e.g newspapers
- Posters
- Billboards
- Brochures
- Shopping news
- Radio
- Television
- Neon signs e,t.c
Factors which determine choice of an advertising medium
- The intended target group
The nature of the target group interms of habits customers age, e,t.c will determine choice of the right medium. - the physical characteristics
The mediums physical characteristics i.e visual aspects, colour, movement’s e.t.c. - Media circulation
Where an advertiser aims to reach countrywide cliental, choice of a nationwide media is necessary. - Cost of advertising
Should be affordable and that they should be reasonable compared to the returns. - urgency of the advertisement
Urgent and quick adverts may require mediums such as Radio , TV e.t.c
Advantages of advertising
To the advertiser ( or business enterprise)
- It provides a business enterprise with opportunity to inform the public on what they offer.
- It stimulates demand for a product thereby increasing sales and the sellers profits.
- Acts as a reminder to customers of the existing products.
- Helps sustain brand loyalty
- It quickens brand recognition
- Enables quick access and purchasing of the product after knowledge of placement and quantities.
To the customer
- It increases customers awareness of a new product
- Helps indicate the variety of products available in the market facilitating choice
- Leads to better quality products due to competition
- Leads to increased qualities being produced.
Disadvantages
- To the advertiser
- A costly method of promoting products
- Where offensive or erroneous may be negative
- One can be sued where advert is misleading.
- Competitive advertising may cause a seller t o be pushed out of business.
- Difficulty due to existence of several media.
2.To the customer
- Advertising costs are normally borne by the consumer
- Misleading especially where there is consumer ignorance
- Encourage impulse or irrational buying
- Some adverts are irritating, anti-cultural and offensive.
Sales Promotion
Sales promotion refers to the strategies and incentives which are aimed at promoting the purchase of a given product.
The sales promotion strategies are divided into two namely.
1.the strategies aimed at the customer directly these include
- direct main i.e cards, postcards e.t.c
- gifts and other premiums e,g soap, toothbrushes
- discounts
- displays e,g supermarke.
- credit facilities
- Use of loss leaders – one good is sold cheap to attract customers.
- Use of free samples
- After sale services.
2.the strategies aimed at the sales force
- commissions – money given to dealers
- commissions – money given to dealers
- demonstrations models
- push money- to facilitate movement of the salesmen training
- Provision of point of sale displays.
Advantages of Sales Promotion
- promotion activities persuade and convince potential customers
- expand the market scope
- discounts reduce prices for consumers and credits stimulate a greater turn over
- attracts customers through use of price leaders
- Good will is built by after sales services and sample giving.
- Training and demonstrations remove fear of using a product
Disadvantages of Sales Promotion
- The sales promotional incentives are expensive i.e free sample
- Bad debts may arise from credit facilities
- Time and money consuming for sales services especially
- After sale services ties customers to one seller.
Personal Selling
This is the method of promoting
- availability of adequate resources for the sales force
- easy accessible and concentrated markets
- high unit value for the product
- products whose use needs demonstration
- Suitability of a product to individual need as opposed to general use.
- Introduction of new products in the market.
Forms of personal Selling
- Field sales
- Showroom selling
- Shows, trade fairs and exhibitions.
Advantages of Personal Selling
- presents an opportunity to show the existing and potential customers what is available
- it offers the prospective buyers an opportunity to see, examine taste and ask questions about a product – and chance of comparing
- the questions from prospective buyers are immediately answered
- immediate contacts are made between sellers and buyers for follow up
- complementary adverts from other mediums e.g advertising
- Seller has opportunity to obtain information about the competing products and promotional strategies.
Disadvantages
- it is an expensive promotional method – especially where a wide coverage and oversees exhibitions are involved.
- Energy and time are consumed on talks convincing and demonstrations
- Requires cost controls of sales persons
- Has limited coverage as it targets a limited group.
Publicity
Refers to the free advertising whereby the desire for a product is created or boasted by unpaid – for features or presentation in the mass-media ( e.g a feature in press)
These features may be solicited for or unsolicited for but remain entirely unpaid for by the busiess. – or a news release sent to studio.
Advantages
Builds the sellers goodwill and image among existing and prospective customers
- It involves no costs on the side of the seller
- Has a large and widespread reach since it conveyed through media.
- Has a high creditability as it is reported independently.
Disadvantages
Unfavourable information may be released unknowingly released to the public
- Information released is to the discretion of the media house
- It is irregular and short – lived hence my not be effective.
Public Relations
The term public relations (PR) when used in product promotion refers to the process of communicating information of an organization product. Policies and actions to specific consumer groups or the public at large. This is done with the view of creating awareness and a positive attitude towards the organization and the product.
It could also be done to correct mis-information or rehabilitate a spoilt image in order to get a satisfied client. It aims at creating a favorable attitude towards the organization in order to promote acceptance.
Strategies of Public Relations
1.Market research i.e
The process of gathering recording and analysis information about a market with the view of coming up with the best strategies of selling products in that particular market.
2.Consumer research
Where activities are concentrated on knowing more about the consumer. The aim is to identify which products have the highest value to the consumer
3.market segmentation
Refers to the process of subdividing the market into sections to scope rate various interests of various consumer groups.
4.Product difference
5.Branding
6.Packaging.
Advantages
1. Effective in presenting information about the product and policies of an organization
2. addresses the desired target audience
3. effective in correcting any mis-information
Disadvantages
1. expansive and therefore requires careful planning in both time and funds
2. Impact takes time- hence is a long term.
3. Its impact is difficult to gauge.
Factors which may influence an entrepreneur in choosing a promotional method.
1. cost element of each method of promotion should be analyzed in order to suit financial abilities
2. Targeted audience is important in order to address an appropriate combination method.
3. the nature of the product to be promoted i.e those that may require demonstrations and training et.c
4. Urgency of the promotional message.
5. Availability of resources especially the mechanical physical and human resources to implement a promotional mix.
6. level of demand for the product
where demand is high fewer promotional methods are required
7. the competitors promotional strategies
8. availability of media that is most accessible to its customers
