Stop These 4 Marketing Practices

In our current economy, many old rules of marketing no longer apply. I’m constantly surprised to see businesses and organizations doing things the old way, but I don’t blame them as these outdated principles are still taught in college classrooms across the country.
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Today, I’m going to outline how to stand out in today’s economy. These are the top four things you should STOP doing in order to elevate your marketing efforts...

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STOP focusing SOLELY on features and benefits

For years we were taught to market the features and benefits of a product or service. However, thousands of others, just like you, are also promoting their features and benefits in the exact same way. To set yourself apart, know what makes you different from everyone else. Why would a client choose you over another business offering the same product or service? 

STOP trying to FIGURE it out all by yourself

All too often, entrepreneurs decide they have to do everything themselves. Maybe they don’t want to spend the money to hire someone to do the work or maybe they don’t want to share their secrets; no matter the reason, they’re only hurting their business by tackling everything on their own. There are so many resources available, online and off. You don’t have to know or do everything yourself.

So, ask yourself: what’s the true cost of doing this all by myself? How could my business grow if I enlisted the help of a few talented individuals? 

STOP doing it the way you've ALWAYS done it

Routine is the number one killer of marketing innovation. To solve your clients’ problems and provide the best solutions, you have to stop doing things the way you've always done them. “If it ain't broke, don’t fix it” isn’t always true. 

Instead of rehashing old ideas, reflect on how you can do things differently. Come up with new, more effective solutions or programs for your customers. Look for a fresh perspective. New messages and creative communications will set your brand apart.

STOP marketing as a REACTION

Chaos ensues when you operate without guidance. Reactionary marketing projects an image of desperation, leaving your audience feeling suspicious.

Take a look at the following questions to see if your marketing efforts need a little more structure:

• What are the marketing activities we've conducted over the last year?
• Do we know which activities worked?
• How can we measure our efforts? 

Following these steps will help you break from your old marketing habits. It’s time to establish more effective strategies that are better suited to today’s economy.

Need help implementing new rules? Or maybe you’re looking to reshape your marketing priorities? Reach out to Firefly Strategies at 505-216-6110 or email [email protected]. 
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To your illumination,