The 5 Surest Ways to Banish Marketing Confusion
I want you to know I realize how overwhelming marketing often feels. It can feel overbearing, like you're out of control, like there's a force of nature pushing you along. But I also want you to know that it really doesn't have to feel that way.When I was a little kid we used to go to Virginia Beach where my aunt, uncle and three cousins lived.We kids would dig in the sand for little tiny crabs and dash in and out of the icy cold surf every day.We had those floppy vinyl floats that never stayed very inflated. When you lay down on them in the water, they'd fold up on you. What we really wanted to ride the surf on were the sturdy canvas ones. But you had to rent those by the day.One time we struck gold. Our moms paid for a half-day rental of a couple of the good kind. And we strode into the rough Virginia Beach waves.An older man I didn't know grabbed my float and said, "Come on, I'll help." He held it steady while I flopped onto in on my belly. But he didn't let go. He kept hold of my ankles while the waves pushed me up and down, up and down. For a really, really long time.Speeding towards the shore was where I'd hoped to be, but that wasn't his intention. I tried to turn around and yell at him to let me go, but his idea of a fun time and mine were two different things.I started getting really dizzy from the constant motion and finally wriggled loose, said thanks and took the float in myself.The rest of the day, the beach whirled around me I and could hardly sleep that night, my mind still rolling along with the waves.I get motion sickness even now just thinking about it.That man thought he was helping me have fun, I realized years later, but, in fact, he created quite a bit of misery for me.Does your marketing feel like waves are crashing all around you?It wouldn't surprise me at all if you answered yes. Because I used to be there, too.When our society grew beyond ads in the newspaper, TV and radio, once we entered the online era, the cost dropped dramatically (not at first)...But the options now are overwhelming.I've talked with so many business owners who feel totally stuck and confused with all they have to do. Or all they think they have to do.True, there are more places now online to connect with customers and clients and with potential customers and clients than there used to be in traditional media.
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But you don't have to feel like the waves are crashing in on you any more. I'll give you some great info right here and also give you a heads up on a program you can learn more about in the italic print below.Here are the 5 surest ways to banish marketing overwhelm...and that feeling that you're riding the waves and it'll never end.1) Focus - You do need focus for everything. From focusing on your very compact to-do list (yep!) to exactly who your ideal client/customer is. That focus will be a great relief for you. And it'll give you direction to do one thing at a time from a grounded starting point.2) Website - Your website is your point of sale. It's where you send people to no matter what you're doing, whether talking to them, handing them a business card, posting on Facebook or tweeting. But you do have to know exactly what to do and say to get them there. And then make sure it's doing its job by having all the elements in the right place and featuring words that sell.3) Systems - There are systems everywhere in your business. Or there should be. For example you need a system to capture your potential clients, a system to communicate with them, a system to answer the same questions people ask, an overarching marketing plan (also a system). A system to make sure every element works between your website, email, Facebook and Twitter. A system for billing. A system for knowing what to talk or write or tweet about to keep your readers engaged.
A system to keep your schedule on track. Everything needs to be in a system. If you begin to implement them one at a time, it won't seem so overwhelming.4) Marketing - Ah what can I say about marketing? Everything! You're marketing all the time. Even if you think you're not. From what you say to people about your business, to giving a talk, from handing out a business card, to answering a question. Just remember that everything you say and do needs to send a definite message, preferably one that attracts clients rather than not.5) Social Media - There's too much social media out there. I think the most important places to be are LinkedIn, Facebook, Google+ and Twitter. Choose two and work them. You can change up after a while but you will overload yourself if you try to do them all. Don't.This is a start on some pretty solid advice about how to keep from feeling overwhelmed by your business and your marketing.