On August 8, 2010, I started to blog about marketing. My first post was about vacuuming and how an ordinary activity can have an emotional connection.
Since that date, I have written 865 posts mostly focused on marketing topics. Almost a half a million words later, I continue to write every day. I work every Saturday and Sunday for the coming week on two to three blog posts on topics that pique my interest.
When I started, I had several goals:
- To become a better writer
- To have a platform to share my ideas without requiring anyone’s permission
- To help me think, learn and study marketing by profiling companies, brands, and business doing remarkable things.
At first, I worried about the metrics almost every day. How many new subscribers signed up? What are my page views and examining every single vanity metric so I could measure myself against others? But the metrics had nothing to do with my goals, so I left them behind. Instead, I stayed focused on my original objectives and breathed into my curiosity.
I kept comparing myself to other marketing bloggers until I realized, that if I focus on my voice, my views and my ideas, no one can be me.
The more I use my authentic self, beliefs, and curiosity in my writing, the happier I will be. And if people read it – wonderful. If they unsubscribe, then I wish them well and hope they find someone whose ideas can be helpful.
Curiosity
Marketers tend to be very curious people. We like to ask why questions. In an attempt to understand trends, patterns, and disruption, we marketers dig a little deeper.
Most marketing professionals who I admire, understand how marketing has shifted not just from analog to digital or from cable to streaming – but in more significant ways. Marketing requires a core, fundamental framework that says that everything we do as a company (business, product, service or brand), must pass through a filter. That filter eliminates activities and messages that are off brand. A curious marketer realizes that a business, brand, product or service must first – serve a community with common needs.
Constraints are required to create great brands and superior marketing. Without them, you would always be trying to please everyone but not making anyone fall in love with your work.
The Year Ahead
I continue to be the curious, inquisitive type of person who trusts my intuition. If data can help me understand a pattern, I can begin to test new ideas, approaches, and strategies.
Many people measure success based on money in the bank. And, yes that is an important consideration. For me, I feel blessed and grateful for being curious about product launches, inventive marketing messaging and brand strategies that help business flourishes.
As 2017 ends and we turn the page to 2018, I have but one small piece of advice.
Have a curious and happy new year.
Wishing you joy, happiness, and curiosity in 2018. Text me to connect, set up time to talk or just to say hello at 919 720 0995 or email me at jeffslater@themarketingsage.com
Photo by Chris Benson on Unsplash
