Business

More than 50% of Small Businesses Spend 5 or Less Hours on Marketing: Survey

Published

6 years ago

May 28, 2019

According to the Survey conducted by Outbound Engine, it has been revealed that 58% of small businesses don’t give the necessary time to marketing. The report titled, “Stress, Time & Growth: Factors Affecting Small Business Marketing in 2019”, the emphasis is laid on the complexity in today’s small ecosystem. And analyzing the marketing strategies of small businesses, the report points out that stress is the major factor which affects the amount of time small businesses spend on marketing its products or services.

Mark Pickren, the CEO of Outbound Engine, said that the marketing plays a vital role in boosting the growth of any business and it requires a lot of efforts to successfully promote products as well as services. However, Small Business Marketing Trends highlight that the lack of necessary knowledge and the budget to capitalize on marketing options are the two important factors which could be attributed to increasing the complexity in the small businesses environment. This, in turn, leads to an increase in stress in the ecosystem of small businesses.

The survey emphasizes that the lack of knowledge, finance, and talent are the major factors which have led to increasing the complexity of doing marketing in the small business environment. 28.5% of the small businessmen don’t have enough money, 22.39% don’t have sufficient time, and 14.25% attribute the inability to find the best marketing tactics as the reason for poor marketing of their business. Other than this, 11.96% don’t have the skilled staff and 2.80% are not aware of the customer base they need to target for the promotion of their products.

And major fact trending in the report shows that 54.45% spend only 5% or less of their revenue on marketing. Only 4.33% invest greater than 20% of their revenue on marketing. The more the spending on marketing, the more is the growth of small businesses, the survey results hinted.

Business

Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke: A New Approach to Fine Real Estate

Published

1 week ago

December 16, 2024

Matthew Wiles

Photo credit: Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke.

Byline: Andi Stark

Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke, a real estate platform operating across Hawaii, is rewriting how properties are bought and sold in the region. Unlike larger firms reliant on public listings and mass marketing, Private Listings’ strategy prioritizes personalization, privacy, and meticulous curation of ultra-high-end, off-market properties, including oceanfront estates, gated community residences, and architectural masterpieces.

Harold Clarke, founder of Private Listings, describes their method as one that rejects “cookie-cutter solutions in favor of understanding the nuances of both buyers and sellers.” This approach has resonated with ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) seeking refined and discreet real estate transactions.

The Hawaiian real estate market remains a hub for global investors, with the median price for a single-family home in the state reaching $900,000 in 2024, according to the Hawaii Association of Realtors. Within this competitive landscape, Private Listings is building up to be a trusted name for properties that extend beyond luxury into generational investments.

Challenging the Industry Norms

Private Listings deliberately avoids the conventions of large-scale real estate firms. By focusing on fewer, higher-value properties, the company ensures that each transaction is treated with the same level of care and confidentiality.

Public listing platforms, while effective for broader markets, often expose sellers to unnecessary attention or unqualified inquiries. For Clarke, this model is misaligned with the needs of UHNWIs. “Privacy isn’t a luxury for our clients—it’s a necessity,” Clarke explains.

This philosophy has led Private Listings to handle some of Hawaii’s most significant real estate transactions, including off-market properties valued at over $40 million. Its success is not measured by the volume of listings but by the depth of trust built with clients, many of whom return for subsequent transactions.

Adapting to Changing Client Demands

While Private Listings maintains a foundation of traditional practices, the firm also recognizes the evolving needs of its clientele. The global real estate market is increasingly influenced by concerns over digital security, with a 15% rise in data breaches targeting high-net-worth individuals in the past three years, according to cybersecurity firm NortonLifeLock.

To address these risks, Private Listings employs rigorous screening for potential buyers and uses secure platforms for communication and transactions. The firm’s “by invitation only” model ensures that clients remain protected from the pitfalls of public exposure. Clarke notes, “Our goal is not just to sell homes but to create an environment where clients feel safe and confident during every step of the process.”

The Human Element in Real Estate Transactions

Despite advancements in technology, Private Listings firmly believes that real estate transactions cannot be reduced to algorithms or automation. Unlike firms that depend heavily on online data aggregation, Private Listings emphasizes human connection and insight.

The company’s sales strategy integrates personalized client interactions, in-depth market analysis, and years of experience navigating Hawaii’s unique real estate ecosystem. Clarke’s background in managing family assets and his global perspective is significant in shaping this essence.

Future Directions for Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke

As Hawaii continues to attract global attention, Private Listings aims to expand its influence within the state while maintaining its core principles. The company is currently developing a new platform to streamline services for UHNWIs, blending their demand for discretion with seamless access to Hawaii’s finest off-market properties.

Additionally, Private Listings is strengthening its ties with local communities, recognizing that sustainable growth benefits both the company and the islands’ ecosystems.

Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke has set itself apart in Hawaii’s real estate scene by moving away from the typical mass-market approach. Through a mix of traditional values and modern sensibilities, the firm continues to define what it means to transact ultra-high-value properties with integrity and care.