Nine Insights I learned about Marketing

 If you are trying to find a solution to a marketing problem, blogging is a terrific way to think through the issue. It forces you to coherently express the essence of the problem in a concise fashion. 

I learned a lot in 2014 by writing, reading and listening. I was also fortunate to have people seek out my opinion and advice and I got to gain more insight into marketing through those conversations. This was a year where I met some amazing marketing professionals who were gracious enough to share some of their ideas and time with me too. 

I am sharing my list of some helpful things I learned and I hope they are useful to you in your marketing efforts too. 

#1   Looking outside of your industry or category for alternative ways to market a product is invaluable. If you look in your category, you will never be able to be differentiated.

#2   Test. Fail. Test. Fail. Test. Fail. Test, do a little better. This is the secret to success and positive marketing outcomes. Don’t fear the failure. Fear your own self-confidence that you know what your customer really wants.

#3   Chaos is a beautiful thing if you can embrace it and accept it. Not everything will fit on a “to do” list or in task in Outlook. It is okay if it isn’t perfect or predictable. The world isn’t linear and marketing isn’t either. Breathe in and just keep taking another step forward.

#4   Almost all the work you are doing isn’t important. Your job is to find the few marketing activities that will impact the business by putting weight onto a leverage point. Keep saying no and find those points of influence. And then focus your efforts in that direction.

#5   If someone asks for your advice, give freely and openly but don’t sugarcoat the situation. Fierce honesty is the best gift you can give someone who needs help. Be direct. Don’t be a coward and make it easy. Over time your frankness will be valued and remembered. 

#6   Believe enough in your instincts to try and test an idea but have in mind what a good outcome means. If you don’t know how you’ll keep score of the response, you will have a difficult time judging success or failure or your next step. Be a scorekeeper.

#7   Strive for the simplest most straightforward way of marketing your product or service where customers will notice you.  The harder you make it to choose, the less likely it is you’ll succeed.

#8    If your business or brand disappeared, would anyone care? Focus on the emotional feeling that your product brings to customers. It might be security, or freedom or exhilaration or happiness. In a world of plenty of choices, cloak your brand in emotional connection.

#9   Give more and be more generous without asking or expecting anything in return. Keep your heart open. Remember, this is your life and you are in the driver seat. Be a good steward while you are at the helm. 

Thank you for reading my blog in 2014. I am grateful to have the chance to share ideas and exchange insights with each of you who have connected with me both on and offline. It is my hope that 2015 brings you everything that is in your heart.