When you are looking to start a business, or you are in the early stages of growing your company, it is important to think about scalability. What does that mean? In short, scalability refers to the ability of a company to grow its sales and profits without having to add more resources (people, money, etc.).
A scalable business model can be adapted as the business grows, while an unscalable model will eventually reach a limit. In this blog post, we will discuss six attributes of a scalable marketing system and give examples of a scalable business model.
Six Attributes of a Scalable Marketing System
When it comes to scalability, there are three key attributes that your marketing system must have:
1 - The first attribute of a scalable marketing system is that it can be started with a small amount of resources. For example, you could start a blog with just a few hours per week and no money. As your blog grows, you can add more resources such as hiring writers or investing in advertising.
2 - The second attribute of a scalable marketing system is that it can be automated. For example, you can use software to automate your social media posts or email marketing campaigns. This frees up your time so that you can focus on other tasks, such as developing new products or services.
3 - The third attribute of a scalable marketing system is that it generates recurring revenue. For example, if you sell subscriptions to your online course, you will receive a monthly or yearly payment from each customer. This predictable income can help you to invest in further growth.
4 - The fourth attribute of a scalable marketing system is the ability to reach more people with minimal effort. In order to scale your marketing, you need to be able to reach more people with minimal effort. This might mean investing in some paid advertising or using social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
5 - The fifth attribute of a scalable marketing system is the abilityto generate leads on autopilot: Once you've reached more people, you need to be able to generate leads on autopilot. This could be done with a lead magnet or an email opt-in form on your website.
6 - The sixth attribute of a scalable marketing system is the ability to convert leads into customers: Finally, you need to be able to convert those leads into paying customers. This is where your sales process comes in! Make sure you have a system in place that can take your leads through the steps of becoming a customer.
If your marketing system has these six key attributes, then it's likely that it's scalable. And if it's scalable, then you're one step closer to being able to support sustainable growth in your business!
Examples of a Scalable Business Model
Now that we've talked about what scalability looks like, let's take a look at a few examples of businesses with scalable models.
One example is an e-commerce business. Because they don't have the overhead costs of a brick-and-mortar store, they can reach more people with minimal effort. Additionally, they can use automation to generate leads and convert them into customers. This makes e-commerce one of the most scalable business models out there!
Another example is a subscription service. Similar to an e-commerce business, subscription services can reach more people with minimal effort and use automation to generate leads and sales. However, their recurring revenue model also makes them one of the most sustainable businesses out there.
Finally, let's take a look at a brick-and-mortar business. While they may not be able to reach as many people with minimal effort, they can still use automation to generate leads and sales. Additionally, their brick-and-mortar locations give them a physical presence that can help build trust with potential customers.
As you can see, there are a variety of businesses with scalable models. And while each one has its own unique advantages, they all share the common trait of being able to be of service to more people. Before you pour more money into marketing, take a step back and make sure that your offer is actually ready to support sustainable growth. It could be the difference between thriving and just surviving.
What are your thoughts on scaleable offerings? Let us know in the comments below! And if you're looking for help getting your offer set up for success, we can help with that too. Just reach out and we'll be happy to chat!