Sometimes the simplest data is the best. Marketing is not complex if you know the basics – that's true with anything by the way. Here are some tools that are brilliantly simple, and with them you won't have to join the ranks of failing businesses, but instead can prosper.

The more that your potential customers see your name in front of them, the more likely they are to call your number (and not someone else's) when they need the services you offer. Many marketing efforts go unrewarded, not because they were off target, but simply because they weren't given enough of an opportunity to work. Showing your TV commercial one time, running an ad in the newspaper once, or doing one mailing of postcards won't be enough to grab and keep the audience's attention.

You should also know that taking the time to really see which pieces and messages will generate the response you want will pay off. Don't just totally give up when a response is low – persistence is vital.