Sparkplugging has a contest going that asks, what was the best marketing advice you received when you started your business?
For me the answer came like a bolt from the blue when I was having lunch with Christy Erbeck, a marketing consultant I barely knew. At one point in the conversation, she said,
“You know, Brad. You should really start blogging.”
Turned out she knew more about me than I knew about myself. She quickly recognized that blogging was right up my alley, a perfect fit for my skills and interests. I can think of several reasons why her advice was so good.
Do what you love. Without passion, you simply cannot put in the time and energy it takes to become successful. Entrepreneurs have no one to lean on and no place to hide.
Do what you’re good at. We each have our own unique talents. (Sometimes, like in my case, it takes another person to point them out.) Somewhere, somehow, what you love to do and what you do well intersect. That point of intersection is the heart of your value proposition.
Stake out a claim to new territory. Christy and I had this conversation about three years ago, when business blogging was more of a mystery than a specialty. Because I believed in business blogging, I was convinced it would take hold and become a viable market. If you can get into a market early and establish yourself as an authority, you have something any marketer craves – a head start.
You learn by doing. Christy didn’t say study blogging or research blogging or consider blogging. She said start blogging. Well, that’s what I did – that very afternoon, as a matter of fact. In marketing, it’s easy to get balled up in strategic and tactical planning. Not that those things are bad, but if you want to excel in something, do it. It took me months – years, maybe – to learn what I can teach clients in forty-five minutes about business blogging. Had I spent that time doing nothing but research, my advice wouldn’t be worth squat. Entrepreneurs have to do and learn at the same time.
What’s the best marketing advice to come your way when you were starting out? Sparkplugging’s contest runs until October 24. Hope you find time to join in!
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Well said, Brad! Sound, practical, and accomplishable! (Is that a word? It is now!)
Don’cha just love good practical advice you go right out and do?
Robert Hruzeks last blog post..If People Were Capital
Robert, Yes, I do like to do. I’ve said it before here – “ready, fire, aim” can be a valid marketing strategy.
Brad Shorrs last blog post..The Best Marketing Advice that Came My Way
Brad, this is one bit of advice I’m very glad you followed!
Joanna Youngs last blog post..Responsible Writing: by Jon Swanson
Joanna, It sure has been fun – thanks to folks like you and the guy in the black hat up there.
Brad Shorrs last blog post..The Best Marketing Advice that Came My Way
Brad,
there’s one sentence in your post I like very much: you learn by doing. Don’t read about it, don’t consider it, just do it. We Germans have a lot to learn from you guys over the ocean there. Especially if we are academic people – we definitely do not believe in “just doing it”. My own experience shows me, that you are absolutely right, and I am glad, that I just did it – writing my blog in English for example. So I think that’s one of your posts which covers a theme in such ways that not only marketing people can profit from it! Thanks for sharing!
Ulla Hennigs last blog post..Autumn Sky
Ulla, Thanks for sharing your story. I must have taken real courage to write in English, but see? It paid off! If you’re not afraid to make a mistake you accomplish just about anything.
Brad Shorrs last blog post..What Do You Want Me to Write About?
Hi Brad – I guess it was probably,concentrate 90% of your efforts on marketing. But as you say, you’ve got to choose the things you love doing too. I can remember torturing myself and wasting time because a well meaning friend said i had to do telesales to make money. It was bad advice, as I hated doing it and it definitely wasn’t the best marketing advice I’ve had.
Cath Lawsons last blog post..YOU Have Never Been More Powerful
Cath, Selling when you’re not into it is very difficult, very draining. Sorry you had to go through that experience, but I’ll bet you never repeat that mistake.
Brad Shorrs last blog post..What Do You Want Me to Write About?
Brad,
Whilst I am not a sales and marketing professional, the advice which I read about ten years ago is probably the best general sales and marketing advice ever given:
“If you want to persuade John Brown to buy, first, you must see through John Brown’s eyes.”
Andrews last blog post..Socially Responsible Investing part 9: Does ethical investing compromise investment performance?
Andrew, So true, yet so seldom executed.
Brad Shorrs last blog post..Bloggers – Can You Help the Poor with Two Cents a Word?
That really sounds like great marketing advice! Doing what you love is extremely important. If you’re doing something that’s ok, or a pain, or you don’t entirely believe in, things will go from bad to worse no matter how hard you try.
Alina Popescus last blog post..A Book a Week: Simon Kernick – Relentless
Alina, We’ve probably all been there. Unfortunately that advice can be hard to follow in bad economic times because you have to put food on the table.
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