Want to know the secret sauce for successful marketing? It may not be what you think. Marketing is a smorgasbord, a toolbox, a pie chart of ingredients…from a great website, content marketing, and PR, to strategic planning, branding, media outreach, email, newsletters, social media, video, SEO, networking, speaking, and then some. You can choose a-la-carte or buffet with all of those, but the REAL secret sauce may be what lies underneath; the TRUST gained over time through the age-old practice of BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS. In a way, the roots of marketing are intrinsic to what makes us human and it’s a package deal, just like we are. What’s the secret sauce? I call it the 12 B’s, but it starts with YOU.
1. BE GENUINE
From the heart matters. Being nice matters. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. ‘Nuf said.
2. BE SMART
This is where the rubber meets the road. Don’t skimp. Surround yourself with intelligent people who will tell you the truth.
3. BE HELPFUL
Share your resources. Share your wisdom. Be willing to jump in and help a friend, colleague, family member, or even a competitor. I call that last one the “Miracle on 34th Street business philosophy”, and if you’re too young to know what that means, or you’d like a refresher, click HERE.
4. BE CURRENT
Stay up on the current trends, keep track of your industry, be relevant and meaningful in your content marketing and content creation.
5. BE ENGAGED
It’s a social world. We know that. Hopefully you’ve hired good people to run your social campaigns, but here’s the inside scoop. YOU are the owner of your company/brand/store/produce/service. Even if you’re paying someone to do your social media, you should be keeping an eye on it and engaging from time to time.
6. BE RIGHT
Hey, why not? Just don’t let it go to your head. But when something works, it might bear repeating.
7. BE WRONG
Ok, not on purpose, but this is how you learn. Some dude named Albert said it best, “Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.” ~ Albert Einstein
8. BE BUZZY
Want people to talk about you? Do good stuff. Make great products. Write great content (or hire a writer to do it for you). Hit the target. Do interesting and unique things and be authentic about it. Understand that sometimes buzz needs to happen organically, but you can nudge it along with videos, ads, guerilla marketing, and even asking a favor once in a while.*
Buzz happens when you start getting talked about, and so on and so on and so on. It can also be more powerful than a pricey ad campaign. Consider the analogy of a massive ship (the pricey ad campaign) vs. a small motorboat (buzzy word of mouth). Which one can turn on a dime? Exactly. The small boat could be the pivotal (pun intended) point to create your buzz. Go internal; what do YOU think is buzzy and why? What have YOU started talking about lately? Did you tell your friends and colleagues about it? See? Be an awesome buzzy little motorboat, and maybe, just maybe you’ll get to ride the wave.
9. BE INVOLVED
Giving back is a key aspect to being a good business citizen/company. Whether you’re a solopreneur or have a staff of dozens or more, when you give back, it shows that you care about causes and community. Volunteer, donate, teach, sponsor, or mentor. No matter who you are, you have the opportunity to make an impact, so why not!
10. BE TRUSTWORTHY
Yeah well, that’s a no brainer. Show up. If you want respect in your field, put respect out there first. Show others who you are and why they should care. Earn your keep and they’ll keep coming back.
11. BE REPUTABLE
Your word is your reputation. Your actions are your reputation. Your quality is your reputation. If you promise something, deliver. Period.
12. “BE ALERT. AMERICA NEEDS MORE LERTS.”
Ok, that one I didn’t write, but I saw it on a bumper sticker years ago and it makes me laugh. Who knew I’d be able to include it in an article someday!
So what do YOU think? How many of the 12 B’s can you take to the bank already, and which ones speak to you the most? I encourage you to go forth and see how these underlying fundamental points become the foundation to build YOUR marketing house. Let me know how it goes in the comments below. Would love to hear from you.
*Oh yeah, and if you don’t mind, please share this article in your socialverse. Much obliged.
(Blog Content © LisaBeth Weber. All rights reserved. Please contact LisaBeth for information.)
LisaBeth Weber is a Creative Communicator, Copywriter, Consultant, and Connector, who uses her skills in creativity and business to get the message out for her clients, from freelance writing, copywriting, and content marketing to social media, public relations, and public speaking. Her creative background as a professional musician and artist brings a unique perspective, skill set, and approach to her work, to the benefit of her clientele.
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