In last month’s blog, “Don’t Get Sweet Talked”, I alluded to the fact that everyone has varying opinions from their beliefs personally, to how they want to run and market their business. Nobody’s opinions are right or wrong. I believe it is more that you align yourself with those who have similar, yet differing, opinions as yourself. Yes, there is a baseline of marketing techniques that have been proven to work. That baseline on which to create your marketing foundation. However, what works for Apple won’t work for Jack’s Bar and Grill. Marketing techniques that work for Sensational Coffee are not going to work for Chevrolet. My point is one size doesn’t fit all. One opinion, as convincing as it may sound, may also not be the right opinion for that business.
I don’t know, maybe I have become cynical as I have gotten older; however, I like to think that I have become wiser and have opened my eyes and started listening and seeing. What I mean is everyone thinks they are an expert in the fields they are in. Some are and others are pretending to be. If you believe in what someone is “selling” then that is great, but I encourage you to get a few opinions before deciding and picking someone to do whatever it is.
Whether your marketing is working for your business, or if you think it is starting to get old, it is always good to keep it fresh, keep it relevant, and have a couple of different marketing strategies that fit within your business image. One example that comes to mind off the top of my head is Geico Insurance. They had several different marketing strategies going on at the same time over the years (i.e. the Gecko, the two guys strumming guitars making jokes, to the cave man). Toyota does it a little with the fictional character Pat and then simply just adverting their vehicles. In other words, it is ok to have couple of different marketing business do your marketing, for the different perspectives and styles. But, if it’s been a while since you switched marketing business, maybe it is time to search for a new one.
Marketing is madness, but a good madness if executed properly. It’s a madness that people who own businesses shouldn’t have to worry about. Find that person/business you trust. That will work with you, listen to you, yet push the envelope to get the business noticed. Let someone else handle your marketing madness so that you can enjoy March Madness.
Geoff Cummings is President | Founder of On the Level Marketing & Consulting, LLC. Successfully helping businesses with all their marketing needs by branding their businesses and keeping their marketing simple and straightforward. On the Level Marketing & Consulting, LLC Creative|Trustworthy|Hassle-Free. www.onthelevelmktg.com, Twitter: @OTLmarketing, Instagram: otlmarketing
