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Becoming a Lifelong Learner (& Marketer)

One of the most important things I’ve learned in my time as a business owner is that you should NEVER stop learning.

One of the most important things I’ve learned in my time as a business owner is that you should NEVER stop learning.

Who all has a bad taste in their mouth after hearing that? I don’t blame you! We spend all these years in school from a young age – we deserve a break! Right?… Well – kind of!

Now that you’ve tackled years in the school system and built your own business, learning is on your own terms. No more hours in the library. Gone are the days of grabbing a poptart and rushing to your 8 a.m. classes. You get to take control of when you learn and where. You really never have to step foot in a classroom again. Instead, it’s time for you to pinpoint what you need to make your business (and yourself!) better.

I’ll give you a jumping off point:

marketing.

I know you might be thinking “Of course she said marketing. She runs a marketing agency!” or “Eh. I’m not so sure. My business is already making money. Do I really need to put money into marketing?”What

Here me out…

1. You’re reading this blog post for a reason. Few people engage with content they don’t see value in. So that in of itself should be a sign.

2. Yes, you need to market your company! If you are already marketing your business and it is making money, you’re ahead of the game! BUT it’s worth refining your marketing to make sure you’re making the most bang for your buck (and not actually losing money!). Marketing will allow you to reach new, lifelong customers that take your business to the next level. It’s worth exploring no matter your starting point.

The bottom line is, marketing will turn into revenue and will allow you to see your business from a fresh perspective. But just like you don’t jump right into surgery or teaching a class of 4th graders on your first day, you shouldn’t expect yourself to be running ads and writing emails today. First, you need to start with the basics.

So what are the basics? (Hint: it’s more than signing up for instagram!)

Start by identifying…

✓ Goals

✓ Your Ideal Customer

✓ Your Message/Solution

✓ Your Brand Basics
    ○ Logo
    ○ Colors
    ○ Voice

I could spend pages, probably even a book, diving deep into each of these basics, and this list certainly isn’t comprehensive. But these are great jumping off points for you to consider as you introduce or refresh marketing in your business.

A woman wearing glasses is sitting at a desk and writing in a notebook, while utilizing business marketing tips.

Goals

When looking at goals as you start marketing, be sure to specify your business goals. You might have broader professional goals, personal goals, or family goals, but right now, keep your eye on your business.

✓ What is your revenue goal?

✓ Which customer base do you want to reach more of?

✓ How do you want to expand?

Pick your top three goals (or even better, one overarching goal!), and keep them in mind as you work through other aspects of your marketing plan. Make decisions with these in mind!

Ideal Customer

As you define your marketing strategy, you need to establish who you are talking to. Children respond differently than high school students respond differently than adults. Fitness fanatics won’t always engage with the same content as moviegoers. Establishing your audience gives you a direction for your voice and brand. You’re likely to get more attention by speaking to less people.

A man and woman sitting on a couch while discussing business marketing tips.
A woman sitting at a table with a laptop, engrossed in her work, possibly utilizing some valuable business marketing tips.

Message

Now that you know who your audience is, what are you saying to them? What problem are you solving for them? This isn’t the same as establishing your voice. Identifying your message is more about defining what you want to convey.

Message Examples:

  • Doing your taxes should be easy! Especially when it’s in the hands of the experts.
  • Taking care of yourself is important for a healthy, happy, long life.
  • Sonic drinks quench your thirst and unique tastes in the summer heat. (Am I drinking one while writing this? Maybe.)

Brand Basics

There are a lot of details that go into building a brand. Really, it’s a conversation that should live outside of a paragraph in a blogpost (and it does!). But it’s important to note that your brand should reflect you and your business. If you’re an accountant ready to take on someone’s tax work, you probably don’t want a lot of bright colors, a groovy logo, or slang in your content. You want to be seen as responsible and reliable!

Your brand is the first thing someone sees when looking for someone to solve their problem. Keep in mind the colors, language, and aesthetics that have connotations already attached to them, and use them wisely.

Even though this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to marketing, this information might already be overwhelming. That is not a reflection of you and your abilities! It is a lot to take in on your own. Which brings me to my final point (for now).

A notebook with a cup of coffee and a pen on a white table, perfect for jotting down business marketing tips.

Play to your strengths.

No one expects you to do it all. Nor should you! One of the best things you can do for yourself is delegate your work to the pros.

Trust me, I know how difficult it is to not only learn something new, but then to also do it well. That’s why I let Steven take the lead on our business finances! Do I still have a say in where our money goes? Oh absolutely! But at the end of the day, it just isn’t something that interests me. And he is WAY better at it than me. So of course he should take the lead there! I take on other big things in our business.

When you play to your strengths and rope in other people to join your team or give you advice, you are ONLY doing yourself a favor. Rome wasn’t built in a day, nor was it built by one person.

So this is your sign to take a breath, take in this new information, and remember you’re not in it alone.

When you make marketing AND yourself a priority, you’ll start to see a return on investment like never before. So, grab a poptart (who ever really gave those up anyway?) and start learning. The best time to start is today!

If you decide you need some guidance,

I'm here for you!

I’m always happy to be a sounding board and build new connections. And my team is ready to help you market your business to a tee.

Branding Mini Shoots

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