The advice is all OVER the internet. Churn out content. Write anything. Write everything. Do it all. Well my friend, I am here to tell you that you do not need to do ALL the things.
You have to focus on all the RIGHT things for your company.
Being everywhere and nowhere at the same time is not a good thing. I always compare trying to do it all to the Cheesecake Factory (sorry folks). Let’s talk about that menu. I think it is about 26 pages long. Every single time someone drags me there I wonder why the menu is so darn big! If they make everything good, they probably don’t have anything good. I know, some of you must disagree with me and are hardcore Cheesecake Factory fans. I get it though, it’s how that place makes you feel! It’s not the food…. I promise you it is not the food.
So back to it. The marketing of any place that makes you feel GOOD is genius. Now I ask you this question, how do you make your clients and future clients feel? Do they feel good about buying your products, using your services, or coming into your space? If the answer is, “I don’t know,” your marketing strategy is NOT good.
So let’s go over my top 5 tips to up your marketing game in 2020.
Create a Feeling
EVERY single piece of content that you put out should invoke some sort of feeling. Does it always have to be a positive emotion? No. If you are posting about a subject that is supposed to drive people to action, the can feel angry, they can feel sad, they can feel inspired. As long as they FEEL something, they will take some sort of action towards what you are offering.
I get it, sometimes it is you and your dog making all of your content and you have no idea how it makes anyone feel. Your dog seems to like it.
Want to fix that? Always have an extra pair of eyes look at your content. See how they react. If it was what you were going for, then please share it with all of us!
2. Be Consistent
Stop ghosting your audience. I have seen this numerous times from small to large companies. They suddenly drop off the face of this earth and you wonder if they went out of business or even worse, died. It is like watching your frenemies relationship drama on social media and suddenly there is nothing. No post, no fight updates, nothing, and you wonder… did they break up? Did she finally leave him. What happened! Don’t leave us all in suspense!
Same goes for your audience. Closing early? Let them know. Have a new product? Let them know. Be very consistent in your information so you are always front of mind and your audience feels included in your journey.
3. Forget Perfection
At my marketing agency, For The Love Of People Group, I see this with all my new hires. They are always making sure everything is perfect and often miss deadlines! This is a huge no and no.
Do not hesitate to put out content because it is not PERFECT. What is perfect anyways? If you wait for perfection, you will never ever release all your magical goods and services into the world. Also, imperfection is the new trend in social media. Goofy pictures, blurry pictures, action shots gone wrong, you name it, it works.
Show your funny and silly side. Show your clients that you make mistakes too, that you take blurry pictures sometimes and can laugh at yourself.
Are you a baker? We want to see your fail cakes! Why? Because it makes us feel better about ourselves and makes you WAY more relatable. I want to buy a cake from a visionary that is not afraid to experiment and give me the best!
4. Stick To Your Values
Always stick to your company values. Do not ever steer from them. Every single piece of content you make should stick to your company values. Are you an inclusive business that promotes equality for all (please say yes), make sure that your content is all inclusive. Post diverse pictures and really showcase and highlight your team and their differences. Do not try to be cookie cutter here. Stand out! Have an opinion! Shout it from the rooftops.
Not only will you gain loyal clients, you will attract the ones you WANT as clients. I for one do NOT want certain types of clients in my portfolio and we are very clear on that. If the company we are taking on does not match our values, we will happily refer them to someone that does.
5. Ask For Help
You are a rockstar. I know you are. You started this company and you can do it all. Until you can’t. It can get super overwhelming and totally swallow you whole.
I want you to remember one thing: You Are A Visionary.
You are not here to be an administrative assistant. You are no there to be an accountant (unless you are one). You are here to create! You need to have more free time to create and let someone else handle all the rest.
I already know what you are thinking, “I do not have the budget.” Well I am here to tell you, that you will not have the money, if you do not spend the money to grow your company. Hire interns, hire your mom, hire your husband. Barter with someone else. Do whatever it takes to get the help and relief you need.
The faster you ask for help, the faster your company will grow. Marketing is a HUGE beast. Don’t try and tackle it alone.
Final Thoughts:
Pandemic and all, I want you to know that this can be your year to grow and have massive success. The number one thing you need to do is commit to it and believe in yourself. I do and so do your clients.
Now get out there and create. We need you.
-Shania Khan
Founder, FLP Group