What Fireflies Taught Me About Communications and Marketing

Have you ever witnessed a firefly show? I grew up in the Midwest. It's an understatement to say I am fascinated by fireflies. It is much more accurate to claim that I am obsessed.

Fireflies are cool for many reasons. I've studied their habits informally for many years; from behavior patterns to the energy-efficient light they give off. That light is now being studied formally at UC Berkeley to see if they can recreate it.  

It is the firefly's incandescence that mesmerizes us. That subtle, consistent blinking light is the way this little bug communicates with other fireflies. If you've had the pleasure of witnessing them, it is a beautiful, subtle, dance of survival. They NEED to attract other fireflies to mate and proliferate. This communication is delivered with precision and then a whole community of fireflies will blink their light in unison, as if proclaiming..."I've got your back, I'm here for you, and you are not alone!" It's quite inspiring. I realized when I was forming my business almost 11 years ago, that fireflies shaped my philosophy on communication and marketing, hence the namesake Firefly Strategies. 

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The Firefly Principles:

Consistent communication - Fireflies communicate every night, consistently. Around the same time every night, they have a certain number of blinks per minute that change depending on various circumstances. Like these luminous creatures, you must communicate with your potential clients and investors. For non-profits, this would instead be your donors and key players in your organization. These people are your community and you MUST communicate with your community.

Consistency is what helps others build rapport with you and keeps you at top of mind. WHAT you are communicating helps too, for instance, share important news and resources, general communications, and check in to see how they are. These communications are not about the sell, but rather about building relationships with future supporters and appreciating those who support you. 

Build community - Fireflies know consistent communication builds and strengthens community for firefly procreation. They not only communicate, but they also tailor their communications (the rate at which the light blinks) to attract just the right mate. I'm sure you can see how this applies to your business or organization. How do you create more buyers and supporters? First, you've got to know your target market. Then, you must tailor the communications to that market. This is the simple recipe for attracting more interest from prospective clients and supporters; the way to create a community or tribe for your work, message, or product. 

Make it authentic - 100% of the light that is created by the firefly is purely light. Naturally, this tiny bug wastes no energy creating light. No heat is produced when conjuring their glow, and if it were, they would burn. This is a natural state of being for this bug.

​Communicate in a way that is authentic for you and your business. Don't mimic what others are doing. People LOVE authentic because it comes out with effortless beauty. Always examine what you are putting out there, as it should represent the true nature of your mission.

Please share your experience with me! What has inspired your philosophy for living? Whether that is a person, place, thing or even a tiny bug, I'd love to know. And let me know if these three Firefly principles resonate with you. Leave a comment for me below.​

To your Illumination,