If you're thinking that paying for a marketing consultant or a
topnotch copywriter is too much of an expense for you, then let me tell
you that you've just limited your ability to grow - financially,
emotionally, and abundantly - in every area of your life.
You realise, one area of life absolutely has knock-on effect in every other area of your life.
However,
if you really want to grow in every area of your life, using your
business as the launch pad, but paying someone else to help elevate your
life is troubling to you, then, you need to be in the driving seat
yourself. You see, left to the limited nature of our own thinking, it
leads us towards a life of sheer mediocrity. Harnessing the power of
others who are more skilled in particular areas that we are not, is the
sort of entrepreneurial thinking that creates astonishing lives.
So,
what should you do if you want to be a skillful marketer? If you want
to gain such expert status that those who know you won't recognise the
breakthrough difference in you and what you are capable of doing? Well,
here are 7 key factors that will help you climb out of the ranks of the
mediocre marketers, and into those of the magnificent. And, here they
are:
1. Accepting internally that you CAN and WILL be a master marketer!
Quite
honestly, this intangible skill is the all important foundation that'll
set the tone for what you think you can or cannot achieve. Once you
internalise the fact that everyone you consider a great marketer or
copywriter didn't get to be that way without some sort of internal
struggle, some sort of obstacle, or some sort of 'failure'. In other
words; they didn't just arrive. What you tell yourself is true about
what you can do is true! Go with the attitude that says, "If they've done it, so can I!" And believe it with all your might.
2. Be willing to throw away most of what you know and all that you've been formally taught about marketing.
We
all have a head full of stuff that we've not challenged or reasoned.
We've not taken the necessary strides to ask such simple questions like,
"How did that get in my head?", "How do I know that's true?", or "How
come I've accepted it as truth when I haven't proved it to myself?" I
mean, it's very easy to let it go without thinking too much about it.
But you see, whatever we have up there in the mental department is
helping shape whatever we think, do, and believe. And when it comes to
marketing, advertising and business building, there's a lot of bogus
information out there delivered by people who have no right, no
credentials and no proof of what they're saying, works. Steer clear from
those whom you've got no real connection with. Stick with those who've a
proven track record and who walk their talk. Do your utmost to bypass
those 'pop up' gurus, those who are itching for you to part with your
cash for some worthless, hyped-up product.
3. Understanding that the main asset in your business is the customer.
There's
a number of vital assets existing in every business: products, staff,
tax, manufacturing, SEO, web design, direct mail, software technology,
you name it, they're all uniquely vital. However, the one real asset
that is the granddaddy of them all: the customer. You see, each customer
isn't worth a mere 'one-off transaction'. When you take in account the
referral, residual, and lifetime value of a customer, you'll realise
that each customer is indeed worth a tiny fortune. Can you now see how
vital it is to ensure that your business is stocked with the type of
customer who'll be a valuable asset not only for today, but for many
many weeks and years to come?
4. Knowing that most competitors aren't savvy marketers at all.
Have
you heard the saying, "In the land of the blind, the one eyed man is
king"? Well, it applies beautifully in most business categories or
industries you can name. But what does it mean? Well, it means that most
business owners, professional practices, online entrepreneurs, are
pretty lost when it comes to really marketing their enterprise for
maximum profit. You see, they're all going about it the wrong way
around. They see someone else who seems successful, and they copy it.
They see big company advertising and brand building campaigns, and they
try to copy that too. In a nutshell, most are marketing blind. They've
no real clue what they are doing.
However, with the information
you now possess, you'll at least be going in with one eye open! Even if
you master one or two direct response business building tips or
strategies, that's more than enough to clout your competitors silly.
Imagine though, once you're able to add one extra strategy or a
money-making business building concept each and every month? Let me tell
you that you won't believe the difference in profit, excitement, and
control that you'll experience.
5. Using only Direct Response Advertising Methods
Traditional advertising is all about image, brand building and creating a warm and fuzzy feel to products and services.
It's not bad to do that. However, if you're a shoestring entrepreneur,
if you're just venturing out, if it's a choice between getting money in
the door, in your inbox, or in your post box today rather than hanging
on for a long term association you hope your prospects will make, then
Direct Response Advertising is the way to go. Anyway, what does 'direct
response' mean? It's simply asking the people you wish to influence for a
response to your advertising. It's that simple. And it's hard to
understand why all business owners aren't using this most obvious and
results-oriented form of advertising and marketing. Whether we're
talking about a response to a message from your website, business card,
brochure, email, salesletter, audio, video or podcast message, or
anything in between, asking for a response is what will lead to
dialogue, to influence, to communication, and to sales!
6. Understand that Applied Marketing has more merit than a shelf full of awards
Marketing
is active, progressive, and a momentum-based skill. It's no good if the
information, ideas, thoughts and strategies remain unemployed on your
desktop, on your shelf, or in the imaginings of your mind. Results-based
marketing is all about action. Wherever it is you pick up your
marketing instruction from [see no.4 above], it needs to flow from
thought to practical application. Whether a document, a video
presentation, attending a seminar, an article, a book, a recommended
resource, whatever it is, it then needs to be translated into a
practical, forward moving action plan for implementation.
7. Be locked in to a continual source of people, information, resources.
It's
comforting knowing there will come a time when you can say that you've
mastered a particular skill or have acquired a deep knowledge base about
something. And, when we're talking about marketing, it's even more of a
thrill to know that the acquired mastery of it can help turn on the
wealth taps in our own business. However, as with anything worthwhile in
life, mastery is an ongoing process. And, if the constant flow of
information, resources, people and the other elements that feed your
marketing mind dry up, you can bet that the profits you joyfully banked
at an earlier time will somewhat only trickle in. To be at the forefront
of your marketing game, you need to be constantly plugged in to the
knowledge base that will keep you on track, motivated, and in the money!
Discover how to engage and excite new customers into taking
action and spending money with you by using these simple free marketing
tips from Nick James, The Internet Business Coach
http://Nick-James.com
