Love Your Marketing

Happy Valentine’s Day! Today is a celebration of love.

Candy, cards, flowers, dinner out…

According to the National Retail Federation, Americans will spend an average of $142.31 this year to show their love to spouses, children, parents, friends, even pets.

But as a small business owner are you feeling the love for your marketing? Probably not.  And you’re not alone.

In fact, TD Bank conducted a survey polling more than 500 U.S. small business owners, asking them to identify their favorite and most hated tasks as business owners.

Marketing came in second for most hated task (tied with banking and handling finances).

Most people don’t love marketing. Many small businesses see it as a necessary evil.  Some people are uncomfortable with it, feeling like a used car salesman.

How can you turn that around so you love (or at least don’t hate) marketing your business?

Here are seven ideas…

Embrace it. Marketing is necessary for a business to succeed. It’s a reality that you can either push against or embrace. When you embrace something you lessen your resistance to it, which ultimately makes it easier.  Marketing is how the world learns you and your business exist. You have a valuable service or product to offer, but people can’t benefit from it if they don’t know about you.

See the benefits. Marketing generates leads, new business, and repeat business. That increases profits and your income. Think about what you would do with the extra income your marketing could generate. A vacation? A new car? Home improvements? Visualize the incentive you want to attain by increasing your profits through your marketing.

Love your message. You are selling your message so make sure you are comfortable with it. Be yourself. Be truthful. Share your expertise. Then communicating your message…what you do, how you do it and what you offer isn’t sleazy, it’s helpful.

It’s not arrogant. Sometimes people find marketing unpleasant because they feel like they are bragging about themselves and they are uncomfortable with that. Stay focused on your message and the benefits your product or service provides.

You won’t appeal to everyone. Your message won’t resonate with everyone. That’s okay. The customers you and your message connect with are the ones you want anyway. That’s where the potential is to build long-term customer relationships.

Change your perspective.  Don’t view marketing as talking at people or trying to convince them of something. View it as a conversation with your customers and prospects. Be helpful. Share your knowledge and expertise. Answer questions your customers and prospects have. Help them and they’ll want to do business with you.

Outsource. If a lack of time, knowledge or resources is holding you back from marketing then the most loving thing you can do for your business is outsource those services.

Share what you dread most about marketing below.

And if you really do hate marketing…

I love it and I’d love to help you.  Contact me here.