upstream marketing

What we can do [for you]

Let's not be coy. We'll help you build a more profitable business through market intelligence, better design, thorough testing & compelling copywriting. We'll build and improve on your website & advertising performance; bringing you new leads & customers and slashing your advertising costs; and we'll do it one element at a time...

  x10 =  
Here's the simple secret:
Small improvements, implemented together, don't add up - they compound; building on each other to reel in exponential results.

Swim over this way, where the methods are effective, tested and proven...

Upstream marketing

“What most people visualize as 'marketing' involves advertising, promotion, brand-building, and communicating with customers through public relations, trade shows, and displays. Those activities are obviously of great importance, but primarily 'downstream' in nature -- that is, they enhance the acceptance of a product or service that already exists.

Upstream marketing, on the other hand, takes place at a much earlier stage by developing a clear market segmentation map and then identifying and precisely defining which customer segments to focus on. It analyzes how the end-user uses the product or service and what competitive advantage will be required to win the customer, and at what price points.”
- Ram Charan, 'Profitable Growth Is Everyone's Business'

What a great idea.

Q: What are you 3x better at than you competitors? What are you 3x worse at than your competitors? If the answer is 'nothing' to both, you're not yet unique enough to make any waves... try one of our free client worksheets.

So let's say your niche is established...

Where do you want your business to be?

“Since we started working with Leadinglobal, our business has improved considerably due to our increased visibility online. Al's worked with us as a marketing consultant & site designer, going above and beyond to help us expand and gain an edge in a highly competitive market. Simply put, he's has helped us focus on where we want our business to be.”

   testimonial - owner, BLVD Interiors, Toronto Canada

"Why do my site's visitors never become customers?"

Easy; they're fish out of water.
Your visitors:

  • • have a short attention span.
  • • get lost easily without a single clear direction.
  • • get distracted, even when given good directions.
  • • won't understand your website's layout.
  • • crave a 'human element' in their online experience.
  • • want to read about themselves & their problems, rather than your company's.
  • • don't want to feel bullied into making a decision.
  • • want to develop their relationship with you at their own speed.
  • • need to know they can trust you.
  • • see even small errors on your website as unprofessional.
  • • need a compelling reason to choose you vs. your competitor (and no, saving money is almost
       never a good enough reason!)



    Now, let's turn your visitors into responsive customers...
  • Improving visitor response

    “Improving visitor response is simply the
    right person (a visible, credible spokesperson that your audience identifies with)
    communicating
    the right message to
    the right audience at
    the right time in
    the right way.”

    - Glenn Livingston

    Feeling the pressure yet? - Statistically, you have all of ten seconds to answer these three questions for your visitor, or they'll click the 'Loss Of Customer' button (that's the one labeled 'Back' on most browsers) :

    1] Where am I?
    2] What should I do here?
    3] Why should I do it?

    So, we must end your visitor's search through engagement, credibility & trust in your products & services; answering all of their concerns and channelling them smoothly & effortlessly towards the right goal - for them. Did you catch that? It's worth repeating - the right goal for them.

    Effective design - will you sink or swim?

    You might ask yourself: "What's wrong with my current website?  It's got everything!"
    Exactly. Take a moment to watch this bit of fun:



    Imagine: 90% fewer people take any action when faced with 4x the number of choices.

       “Would you like a glass of water with lime, lemon, mint, raspberry, or any three in combination?”
       Ummm.... no thanks.

    That's 90% fewer customers and clients.

       “Would you like a lemonade?”
       Ummm... sure!

    In a culture where more = better, it seems counterintuitive - but this concept is incredibly important when designing a web page, ad or offer. Layout, copy, order of operations, and yes, even colour play an important part in your success or failure.

    "Clarity trumps persuasion" - Hunter Boyle, marketingexperiments.com

    but wait, there's more! >>