Don’t you just hate junk mail that screams at you about supposed secrets to success that can be yours for a mere $9.95, $19.95, $99.95 or whatever?

Well, here are some real “secrets” for you – and there’s no price tag attached. Ever wonder how other companies keep their sales momentum going? Smart marketing and communications programs are critical. Here are three key marketing strategies you can put to work for your business.

1) VISIBILITY Awareness is where the selling process starts. After all, it’s hard for someone to buy from you if they don’t know you exist. Or let’s say you’re Apple Computer. Your name may be well known, but you need to let people know about your newest product – the iPod.

Advertising creates visibility on a broad scale, but it may not be right for your company. To find a tactic that fits, start with these questions. Who’s your audience? How can you get your company in front of them? What can your company spend? What return are you looking for?

2) CONSISTENCY Brand and brand management are major buzzwords in marketing and communications. But what do they really mean? If you’re a company like Target or Goodyear, it can mean complex product naming schemes and identity standards.

For many other businesses it boils down to consistency. Determine your message, look and tone and then stick with it. It’s a way to increase cost efficiency, plus it’s easier to make an impression if you look and sound the same over time.

3) REPETITION Forget everything you’ve heard about the evils of redundancy. The truth is that human beings learn through repetition. In this highly-saturated environment it can take seven or more repetitions for a message to sink in.