I’m a marketer, and I hate the way marketers talk. The abysmal reality is that marketing is easy. It’s not complicated, it’s not scary, and it doesn’t have to be 100% manual (in fact, automation is the best way to make sure your marketing is consistent).
When people think of “marketing,” they usually get images of sleepless nights trying to come up with new ideas for ad campaigns and waiting for analytics reports to come in so we can decide whether or not our campaign worked.
The good news about marketing? It doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be quite simple and you don’t even need a huge budget to see results from your campaigns!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Consistency is key in marketing success. |
| Simplicity and reliability contribute to effective campaigns. |
| Overcoming fear of complexity can lead to better strategies. |
| Embrace a mindset of steadiness and reliability. |
| Focus on straightforward approaches for impactful results. |
Answering The Phone
Answering the phone is one of the most important things you can do to make sure your clients get the best service possible.
Your customers are calling for a reason, and they want to hear from an actual person who can help them with whatever it is that brought them to your website in the first place.
When someone calls, be friendly! Ask how you can help them and if they have any questions about what you offer or services that might be beneficial to them.
If they are interested in scheduling an appointment with you, ask if they would like to sign up for your newsletter so that way every time there’s a new promotion coming up or some exciting news happening at your company, they’ll receive an email letting them know about it right away!
If you’re new to marketing, don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. Our comprehensive guide on Marketing 101: A Guide to Marketing Ideas, Tips, and Tricks will walk you through the fundamentals and help you get started on the right track.
Answering Emails Quickly
Responding to emails quickly and promptly is key. You want to be consistent, reliable, and simple. Responding within 24 hours is a great rule of thumb for all of your email correspondence.
The best way to do this is by setting up an auto-response message that states you will respond within 24 hours of receiving their email.
This shows that you are taking the time to read their message and can help reduce the number of bounces (people who send emails but never receive one back).
If someone has sent you an email with questions or concerns, it’s important that you respond with helpful information rather than just a quick “yes” or “no” answer.
If they ask you if they can purchase more than five copies at once, don’t just tell them no; instead explain why five copies would be better for them and provide other options if possible.
Always Being Present During A Project
Being present is a timeless way of being, but it’s especially important when you’re working with clients. Being present means being in the moment with your client and actively listening to what they have to say.
It also means checking in with yourself knowing what you want the outcome of this meeting or project to be and asking yourself if you’ve achieved that goal.
Here are some ways that being present can help make sure your marketing campaigns go smoothly:
- You’ll know how much time should be spent on each task
- You’ll know if there are any roadblocks along the way that need addressing immediately
- You’ll be able to ask questions directly related to their needs without worrying about sounding silly or stupid
As a creative professional, direct marketing can be a powerful tool in your arsenal. Discover how to implement effective strategies with our insightful guide on A Guide to Direct Marketing for Creative Professionals.
Showing Up On Time For Meetings
Being on time for meetings is a sign of respect. If you’re late, it shows that you don’t respect other people’s time and that they are not important enough to you.
However, if you show up early or exactly on time, it shows that you value their presence and want them there (and even if they are late).
Being on time shows others that you respect yourself enough to maintain a schedule and keep commitments. It also gives them the impression that your business does as well and will be reliable for future engagements.
Respect Deadlines
Deadlines are important. They keep you accountable and ensure that your work is completed on time.
If you miss a deadline, not only will it affect the timeline of your project or piece of content, but it also affects your reputation with your client and others who may be involved. Be sure to respect all deadlines and stick to them!
What happens if I miss my deadline?
If you’re late with something (like a meeting or phone call), how does that make the other person feel?
I bet they get frustrated because they didn’t know what was going on with their schedule until it was too late for them to do anything about it. Don’t give others this kind of stress be on time!
Share Your Latest Work With Friends And Family
The next step is to share your work with friends and family. You may think this is a little premature, but you’ll be surprised how excited they are when you do show it off.
Your mom will brag about it to her friends and family members on social media, which will in turn get more people interested in what you do.
Your network plays a huge role in getting the word out about your work. Share with them as well! They must know who you are and what you do so that they can refer others who may need your services.
Send Links To Your Clients So They Can Carry You In Their Pocket
You have an email list. Use it. Create regular email campaigns, even if they’re just collections of what you’ve worked on recently or interesting content so that people will hear your voice when they think about your business rather than someone else’s.
This is also a great time to share links and resources with anyone interested in learning more about design, marketing, and entrepreneurship a good way to build a network of colleagues who can help each other succeed!
When it comes down to it though, listen to what your clients want from you (and how much), then give it to them exactly as requested without fail every single time without complaint (or at least not until after the job is done).
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Create Regular Email Campaigns, Even If They’re Just Collections Of What You’ve Worked On Recently
Weliveinabox.com is a great example of an email list that keeps its subscribers updated on the latest developments in their industry. They do this by sending out regular newsletters, which include features on new work, events, and services as well as tips and advice.
As a freelancer, you’ll also want to send out regular newsletters to let people know what you’ve been up to recently, whether that’s with your latest project or just a collection of pieces from your portfolio.
Share Interesting Content So That People Will Hear Your Voice When They Think About Your Business
Your customers want to hear from you. But this isn’t a surprise, right? They want to hear about the products and services you offer, but even more than that, they want to know what makes your business different.
They want content that is relevant to them in some way. They’re looking for tips they can use in their own lives or maybe something entertaining enough to make them laugh out loud on the train ride home.
If you’re not providing any of these things if the best you’ve got is “buy our thing!” you might as well be silent altogether.
To get started with sharing interesting content online, check out this article by HubSpot:
Listen To What People Want From You, And Then Give It To Them
Listening is a skill, and it takes time to develop. The good news is that listening isn’t hard; you just have to be present and open.
You can practice listening in many different ways:
- Listen when someone speaks with you; keep eye contact and don’t let your mind wander off into something else (like your phone).
- Listen when people ask for help or advice; try not to jump ahead of their question or assume what they’re even asking about.
You may think they want advice on something but they might want information on another topic entirely – so let them finish before jumping in!
- Listen when people tell stories; take notes so that you remember key details, but also listen closely so that you can ask follow-up questions if necessary.
Be Helpful. Be Kind. Be Generous And Compassionate.
Help others in any way that you can and always be generous with your time and resources. It’s amazing how many people are willing to help a good cause, but how few people take advantage of this fact.
When someone does something nice for me, I try my best to thank them publicly on social media or through some other medium so that everyone knows what a great guy/gal this other person is!
Make Things Look Amazing All The Time.
As the owner of a content marketing agency, I’m always on the lookout for ways to improve our content. And one idea that keeps coming up is that every business needs to be making sure they’re doing everything they can to make their content look amazing and easy to digest.
The truth is, this isn’t just about making something look good it’s also about being able to assist your reader with understanding what you’re saying. If you can do both of those things, then you’ve got yourself a winner!
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Think About How Conversations Work, But In Marketing Form.
Once you understand how conversations work, it’s easier to use that as a guide in marketing. The two main principles are:
Be conversational. Use language that fits into the flow of everyday conversation don’t make your content feel like a lecture or presentation. Make sure that it sounds like someone is talking to you, not at you.
Don’t go overboard with this approach. If someone has a conversation with an actual human being.
They’re going to use more casual language than if they were reading a speech from an expert on some topic (unless the expert happens to be very good at making themselves sound casual).
Be aware of this when using conversational language in social media posts; don’t overdo it or people will think something’s off!
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Conclusion
Now that you understand a bit more about what marketing is and how it works, I hope you feel inspired to give it a go. The most important thing to remember is that marketing is just talking to people, so be friendly and helpful when you do.
As long as you’re listening to your customers’ needs and being honest and open with them, they’ll keep coming back for more information.
And if they love what they hear from you, they’ll tell everyone around them. So let’s make sure that we’re the ones who are doing the talking!
Further Reading
Why Marketing Can Be Challenging: Explore the intricacies of marketing and understand the hurdles that professionals often face in this dynamic field.
Pros and Cons of Social Media Marketing: Delve into the advantages and disadvantages of leveraging social media for your marketing efforts, and make informed decisions for your strategy.
Navigating Change in Marketing: Learn how to succeed in marketing by adapting to constant change and embracing new strategies in a dynamic industry.
FAQs
How can I overcome challenges in marketing?
Navigating the challenges in marketing requires a combination of strategic planning, creativity, and adaptability. Identifying your target audience, staying updated with industry trends, and continuously refining your strategies can help you overcome these challenges effectively.
What are the benefits of social media marketing?
Social media marketing offers a broad reach, engagement opportunities, and a platform to showcase your brand’s personality. However, it’s essential to carefully manage your online presence to maintain a positive image and build meaningful connections.
How can marketers adapt to constant changes in the industry?
To succeed in marketing amid constant change, marketers should embrace a growth mindset. Stay curious, continuously learn, and be open to adopting new technologies and strategies that align with evolving consumer behaviors.
What role does creativity play in marketing success?
Creativity is a cornerstone of marketing success. It enables you to stand out in a crowded market, connect with your audience emotionally, and devise innovative campaigns that resonate with consumers and drive engagement.
How do I stay relevant in an ever-changing marketing landscape?
Staying relevant in marketing requires a commitment to lifelong learning. Keep up with industry trends, attend workshops, read reputable marketing resources, and seek inspiration from both within and outside the field to maintain your edge.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.