I think that the major challenge for me was to deal with a limited budget (still is) and how to use it wisely because there are many places to spend it and i had to think on the most effective way to do it. I got burned few times, but eventually i got it.

The biggest challenge was to get clients from particular region across world. It was difficult to consider because we had not any demographic information but solved timely by doing some research. Now our client base increasing in a right manner.

On a tight budget, I learned that it wasn't about expensive campaigns, succesful marketing was about successful observation (I mean like a scientist!) and implementation of a cost effective strategy in reaction to observed patterns, and honest realizations. For me, this was meant SEO and trade shows.

The biggest marketing challenge I had in marketing was a situation when my competitors began to steal my 100% original articles written solely by me. Moreover, when republishing them at various article directories they provided links to their sites. The problem was that I submitted the articles to young article directories which were closed later. My competitors copied the articles and then republished them as their own. I was very frustrated. They used my copywriting works to promote their websites. Afterwards, I decided to submit articles to proven directories only, which are quickly indexed. Also, I began to submit the same article to numerous directories just changing them a little before submission. It was a very good marketing lesson for me and I gained a lot from it.

Great question! Offline marketing was the hardest when I first started, radio, print, mailing just did not provide the ROI. Then I dicovered the internet.. and yes local internet advertising.. love it! Chris Winters ---This post was edited to remove a commercial link. Read our discussion policies for more Community best practices.

When i come to the business, i had nothing know about it. But i work hard and read much articles and books to improve my knowledge. Also i got advices from some of my field seniors.

My biggest marketing challenge was when I decided to try to automate and delegate and outsource more. I tried to manage it all myself, but then lost ground in other aspects of my business.

Listening to others who had their own motives to get me to go in one direction - a direction that was better for them - not me. especially people who claim that they are small business and management gurus. How to overcome - listen to you gut and do your homework. And, don't be afraid to try something outside the box.

For me, it was all about what to do that was right and what was wrong. Overall marketing stratagies I have learned are severely reletive to your business niche, your customer base and your budget. Some people can afford television and radio time, some people can afford youtube! For me, it was learning about SEO! I was running my business for about nine months before i even had heard the term before, now since then, i am probibly making an extra 35% net every month, which is solid, and its growing! So my biggest challenge was relizing my market demographic and learning how to gain better exposure to it then my competition did.