7 Practical Strategies for Marketing Professionals
Six months ago, I received an invitation to speak at a conference in Florida.
Like many things today, it became a virtual event because of Covid. My presentation focused on helping other marketing professionals become even more effective in their jobs. The attendees worked at different levels in their marketing capacities – some were in communications, some marketing and others in blurred, cross-functional roles.
The central theme of my talk was to discuss seven practical strategies to be more effective in marketing. The following is an overview of the themes from my speech.
7 Practical Strategies
- As Peter Drucker said, marketing is not a function; it is the whole business seen from the customer’s perspective. You may think you are creating a brand, but what matters is what customers feel and think about their engagement with you.
- Marketers need to be planners. If you are not blocking time on your calendar to think ahead weeks, months, and even years – you’ll be stuck in a reactive mode.
- Calendars are powerful tools. If used correctly and visible, you can help colleagues and those you serve, understand what is on your plate. It is a reality check that can help make you and others think realistically about work. Whether it is post-it notes on the wall or a digital version, do not underestimate how strategic use of a calendar can make you more productive.
- Brief’s rock! If you are not writing marketing briefs, you aren’t going to succeed. A brief allows you to have a shared agreement about a project. It can be a page that clearly articulates the who, what, and why of a request. A brief allows you to tell a customer clearly and succinctly about your plan of action.
More Practical Strategies
- If you are not proactively managing your workflow, you will drown. Get out ahead of work by going to people you support BEFORE they come to you at the last minute. Train them to know how long stuff takes. No, I can’t update the website with thirty-two pages of new content by tomorrow. The proactive manager is a leader in training staying tens steps ahead of everyone.
- Be clear; who does what. There is nothing more inefficient than a team or project without clear roles and responsibilities. RACI charts are your friends. Who is responsible, who is accountable, who consults, and who must be informed?
- The F Word. Are you focused on activities in support of your top three strategic initiatives? If not, you are not focused. Great teams bring discipline to projects. They cannot do everything – but they are all working toward the same three significant initiatives, almost 80% of the time.
Zoom Fatigue
I enjoy speaking engagements but never loved the hassle of travel. Meeting via Zoom is not perfect. The event host did a spectacular job of planning with empathy for the attendees. (HT to Sheila!)
Zoom fatigue is real. A well thought out conference makes all the difference in the world. We even had breakout sessions within Zoom so we could hold some workshops to break up the afternoon.
Do you have an upcoming marketing conference and need a speaker? Let’s get started.
Need a speaker for an event or conference?
I can help. Together we can craft a custom speech or workshop to achieve your goals. Set up a time chat with me about your marketing challenges using my calendar. Our initial conversation is free. You talk, I listen. Email me jeffslater@themarketingsage.com or call me. 919 720 0995.
Visit my website at www.themarketingsage.com Let’s explore working together today.
