Having Experience Still Matters
How Do I Know…
I have been in the marketing industry for 15 years. Working for brands like Kimberly-Clark, Costco, Goodyear, Panasonic and BIKE Athletic. I’ve had the pleasure of working for national agencies as well as small, boutique firms. My career was built on education, experience and integrity. Do I know it all? I do not. I am thrilled to continue to learn new things and be challenged by the industry all the time. This blog isn’t about my experience, it is about you protecting your brand.
I Can’t Believe What I Just Read…
Some of the things I see on social media in regards to “marketing” are confusing and definitely make me say, WHAT? I can’t tell you the number of business owners that contact me after they realize they’ve spent a lot of money with a “marketing expert” that had no experience, was completely self-taught in every way and ultimately, couldn’t deliver on what they promised.
Business (and life!) Is About More Than Followers And Likes…
While their investment did have a return in the form of temporary increased engagement, a few new clients and a considerable increase in content marketing efforts, it is not enough and certainly not a marketing plan that is strategic or sustainable. Business is about more than likes, followers and views.
Strategy Matters…
A strategic marketing plan is just that, a plan. A long-term plan. Not a temporary fix or a suggestion built on opinion or something that follows the latest trend. A marketing strategy is developed with multiple deliverables based on analytics and consumer trends and is something that will be executed across multiple channels. Tactics are integrated, so they all work together, have the same tone and always relate back to the brand mission. The plan may include graphic design elements, digital marketing, email creation, social media content development, website updates, photoshoots, SEO, public relations, and much more.
Work With A Professional You Can Challenge…
An experienced marketing professional will look at your goals, pain points, past marketing plan and also research what is happening in your industry. Then, they will present opportunities that not only build brand awareness, but also loyalty and growth. All while aligning to your brand mission and engaging your target audience. An experienced marketer will know how to work within your budget(small or large) and will also know how and when to evolve tactics as your customer footprint grows and changes.
It Doesn’t Have To Be Me…
I beg you, do your research, get proposals from multiple marketing professionals, call a candidate's references, ask for examples of their work and for them to share analytics and ROI on those examples, and make sure whoever you go with can meet, no exceed your expectations. There are some amazing marketers out there! Experience DOES matter. There is just no way around it…
I have linked some recent articles that I found interesting.
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/when-business-offer-or-coaching-program-scam
https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/356113