Showing posts with label marketing. Show all posts
Nobody likes a bully… especially small business marketers. If you’ve ever felt like the little guy taking punches from a heavyweight champion, you know what I’m talking about. Big business has donned its gloves, and is waiting to put small business down for the count.
I’ve got good news! Sometimes the little guy wins. Heck, it isn’t easy and sometimes it’s a close call, but little guys do win and when they do… victory is sweet!
What can you do when you’re being threatened by the bully down the street?
1. Take a careful look at the Competition
Every business has its strengths and weaknesses. You need to be aware of both… your competitors strong points, and the places where room for improvement is quite obvious.
2. Be Flexible
Don’t expect your competitor to broadcast his next move so that you can be prepared to block it. You’ve got to think a step ahead, and be ready to outsmart his next maneuver.
3. Use a little Judo
You don’t have to be big and brawny to successfully use Judo. Why? It’s an art that uses your opponent’s momentum to trip him up. So what if you don’t have thousands of dollars to invest in a campaign. When you’re competition has invested his tens of thousands in one, you’ll be able to make a quick about turn and counteract quickly with a smaller campaign of your own. He’ll either forfeit his investment or continue through, but loose steam.
I’m going to let you in on a little secret about your competitors that might encourage you. Although big businesses often have a wide variety of products filling their shelves, they often don’t have depth.
Think about it this way. You may run to your local department store and find everything ranging from make-up to camping equipment. The problem with that? …chances are they don’t have an extremely wide assortment of their products.
This means that if you’re an avid outdoorsman, you probably wouldn’t be satisfied choosing between two cheap brands of tents when there is an amazing variety on the market. An outdoor related store could get one over on the big department store by offering the widest variety of fewer products in a focused field.
Another asset about being the small guy, is that it’s easier to make a quick turn. Hey, how many managers do you have to get okays from to make a quick decision? Think of the weeks it takes for a local department store to send a request from a customer for a certain product to the regional or national management? Yeah, too long!
As a small business, you can have a new product on your shelves within a week. If I were a customer wanting a new tent, I’d prefer to not wait until summer was half over to get it.
There are a lot of benefits to being the small guy. Don’t take bullying lying down. You have what it takes to get the best end of the stick and come out a winner.
If you have never gone to an online marketing seminar, you're missing out.
I know what you're thinking...
"Seminars are expensive."
That's true. They are. Some of 'em cost over $5,000. Even the lower-priced parties are around $2,000.
"It's a pain in the butt to attend."
Again, that's fair. In order to go, you have to get on a plane and fly somewhere. And you have to take time from your work and family to do it.
But, there are at least 3 reasons that attending seminars should be on your priority list (even if you DON'T plan to do a major product launch).
1. You Are Surrounded By Like-minded People.
Scoff if you want. But, I'm telling you, there's huge POWER in being around folks who are driven to the same goal as you are.
To this day, my friends and family don't really get what I do. They nod their heads and smile, but I can tell their eyes are glazing over.
Well, picture being at a party with a few hundred people who not only know what you do... they do it, too! You'll be amazed at how inspiring that can be.
2. You Meet People Who Inspire And Drive You.
I know it sounds flighty. But, when you're downing drinks with someone and sharing strategies back and forth about what's working, your mind ignites.
You find yourself wishing you'd brought your laptop so you can start taking action that moment!
And here's something better... you exchange phone numbers (yep, remember that thing you used to use before becoming a recluse?) and follow up with each other.
That's accountability, baby and it can drive you to major success.
3. You Remove Yourself From The Daily Routine.
Ever wake up and have trouble getting your engine started? (I'm not talking about your car here.) And if you ever DO get the thing to turn over, you can't seem to get any speed?
It happens to me all the time. I'll wake up and the day will pass without my having done one truly productive thing! It stinks.
I'll tell you why it happens to me...
I get bored of my routine! Now, don't get me wrong. Routines are good. In fact, they're CRITICAL to your success. Humans need routine.
But, it's JUST as important to get OUT of your routine. And going to a seminar does that for you. It makes you leave your boring daily routine behind.
Going to a seminar can give your brain (and motivation) the jump-start it needs.
Last Thoughts
I'm not trying to sell you on a seminar here. I'm only trying to get you to think about going to one.
There are a lot of benefits to going. Benefits that aren't always clear until you're there, in the hallways, in the bars, at lunch... talking with folks who are doing EXACTLY what you are doing.
It's empowering. It's inspiring. And chances are, one you attend a seminar, you'll be excited to go to another.
