The Launchguide Weekly
6th Edition - 11.19.23
Welcome to The Launchguide Weekly - helping businesses scale! ?Let’s get into it.
The Launchguide Weekly works to provide the latest news, tips, hacks and updates to your marketing. ?Our vision is simple - provide solid information that you can choose to use to level up your business or compare with your current provider. ?We’ll be sharing Featured Articles, Spotlights, Product and Service reviews, new technology, AI updates, Shout Outs, Brand of the Month fun tools and re-sharing industry and industry-adjacent breaking news. ?
COMING SOON
***Launchguide Radio***
Expected project completion 12.15.23. Email us back here with which of these names you like best, or reply with any other you’d like us to consider!
Launchguide Free Radio Project
Launchguide Uncensored
Lamplighter Radio
The Fifth Estate
Fifth Estate Radio
The Uncensored Dispatch
Expect to experience interruptions in broadcast while we're building but you can tune in to take a sneak listen below:
Website Pending Completion
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- The Launchguide Team ???
A Day in the Life
There are a lot of “hot takes” in marketing.
Here’s one:?
Don’t “do” anything you can pay someone else to do for you.
And. . .
I completely, wholeheartedly and vehemently disagree with it.
. . .DEPENDING on where the business is at.
. . .
It’s true – You do get what you pay for.
If you “pay nothing” and DIY something, you might regret the result you “purchased” lol.
But here’s the simple truth - you’re probably not that good at ALL of the things (sorry!? I have to be the one to tell you.? Please ask for feedback from a small amount of people you trust that aren’t able to influence each other’s opinions when you ask ?? again, sorry to be the one to break it to you).
And here’s the simple co-relating problem – If you DO everything in your business you can’t run the damn business.?
However. . .while scaling a business, you also need to mind EVERY got damn penny. . . ?
So how do you reconcile these seemingly simultaneously-conflicting viewpoints?
Let’s examine.
. . .
Example 1
When we were just starting Launchguide we took on a client, who had either a personal problem, a block or a self-limiting belief. . .
I guess you could look at it from either of those angles.?
So what it was, is that a role model in her industry and in the same general geography, that she looked up to. . .had told her:
“Don’t “Do” Anything and Hire for Everything.”?
It stuck. ?
She unfortunately believed it as though it were a fundamental truth of The Universe. ?
The logic was essentially that her time was/should have been (?) too valuable to be seen to waste any of it on growing the business, much less marketing it in any way.?
I think under the desired set circumstances, and DEFINITELY once any business passes a certain threshold, this logic is sound – the Owner can’t afford to do many of the menial tasks.? At all.?Hire for anything you possibly can in this scenario.
But also, in this case, it didn’t let the business owner herself connect with people who needed her.? By insulating herself from would-be clients, she never empathized.?
She never understood their base needs, never knew the most pressing pain points, or learned what really drove people to take out her services.?
She mistakenly believed owning a sustainable business was a simple as putting up the proverbial shingle, and that her customers would somehow find her.
In this case, the business model was proven but the local landscape was flooded with a cacophony of options and really just super-saturated.? Doing more would have reduced her “burn rate,” added lifeline to the business timetable & flattened power curve so she could have saved her way into profits.? Connecting with the end-user would have helped her endear herself to the patient/client as well garnered trust in the high-trust arena (aesthetics) she chose to go into.
. . .
Example 2
We have a fantastic former client that we stay in touch with, here and there, that is a vintner, or winemaker.? She owns a tasting room in the Greater Puget Sound area.?
Between she and her husband, they’ve DIY’d almost essentially EVERYTHING.?They cultivated the grapes.? Pressed them.? Bottled ‘em.? Marketed the wine and even developed their entire sales strategy. ?Shucks they DIY’d their website and loyalty program!
And what’s more in her case - not only is she able to manage the ads, the promos and the social posting, the wine club, the tasting room, the menu, the inventory. . .she’s actually really, really good at it, and naturally thoughtful and creative and deadly consistent so it all just fits like a glove.
In this case, the business model was proven, they had made an excellent geography & location-based decision (location, location, location anyone?), the product was of sufficiently high-quality to have sold itself and scale didn’t depend on the owners’ time, at least at this point on their growth curve.?
. . .
Example 3
I have a friend that owns and runs a Consultancy.? They have a site and a fantastic online presence & image + branding, and the main company content marketing method is the Podcast.?
That podcast is hosted, recorded, edited and produced - all done by the friend.? But here’s the thing.? He’s not just the owner of the company, in his case.? He’s also the On-Air talent.? He’s currently the BEST in the company at doing these tasks, and inside of their relationships, relatively, at doing almost everything related to the pod.? I’m sure it’s just a passion.? I suspect it’s all a part of his dedication to quality, cost-effectiveness and letting the lifelong-learner inside come out.?
And you know what?? It’s all really, really good! ?
The key point is that his efforts currently allow for the ability to scale the business, and either take profits or roll them back into the company.
In this case, the business model is proven, and while accessible in reach and price to almost any buyer/consumer, it still makes sense for the owner in question to manage as much as they are, given their relative performance edge and that based on their business-model, he’s able to endear a high amount of trust to earn new business from.
?. . .
I used to think that you had to delegate everything.?
. . .And when your bases are totally covered, it’s mostly true.?
But are there some projects, activities or tasks that it actually makes sense for the owner to do??
Yeah gosh it just really depends.
My business is different than most. . .I enjoy the opportunity to create and produce and be the Creative Director on my own team, which allows me both to contribute/produce but also lead.?
In so doing, we not only arrive at a higher order or magnitude of aesthetic, we also create brand symmetry, align within our brand values and keep our brand promise, since it all stems from one viewpoint. ?If inconsistent is at least consistently inconsistent LOL.
Should you do everything or nothing?? Yeah see, like I said, it just depends.
So here’s my take:
Do what you possibly can, now.
Try your best.
As you go on, do yourself, that which you are eminently qualified to do, relatively better than your next less affordable option, and draw energy from.
From a logical perspective, you should put your energy and effort into the actions that you can scale the easiest.?
From a practical perspective, do what you need to, and be objective about how you can help your team (if you have one).
Do what you can in the High yield, low resistance flow state.?
Otherwise???
Your customers, your team, your shareholders, your investors. . .they need you to lead.?
So be the leader they need.
. . .
Here are the major takeaways from the topic:
Really analyze the business model you’re in, or considering.? Can you easily see how the revenue after taxes pays your mortgage, feeds your family and helps you retire on time?? If not, I mean damn you really need to give it a think. . .is this a hobby or what. . .business is super cutthroat and enduring, and requires you to make a LOT of really shitty decisions so please please make sure that if you’re going to go through all of it, that the numbers make sense.
Like any investment – you should be able to answer a few really REALLY important questions before making the capital outlay.? Here’s the ones I ask myself, whether the investment is Common Stock, Real Estate, a Subscription to a Master Class, making a hire or joining a new Networking Group – 1) How do I get my money back?? 2) How do I 2x my money?? 3) How do I 5x it?? 4) Can I 10x it?
If I can’t see my way through the first 3 of these I NEVER do it, will never do the deal, etc.?
Do absolutely everything you possibly can.? All of it.? At least at the start.
And then start to farm out task after task that you are able to, keeping the revenue after taxes needing to pay your mortgage, feed your family and allow you to retire.? So many great things start happen at this point:
1) You empathize and understand the hires you make to replace you, what they’ll go through and can speak to the process, what works and doesn’t.
2) You ensure that you eliminate flaws or strategic risk in your business, since you can either step in and perform these actions if needed but MOST importantly, you can ensure the next employee taking on those duties is adequately trained, even if not by you.
领英推荐
3) Everything in marketing OTHER THAN the owner telling their story is a distant second-place ranking to the owner telling their story.
So jump in wherever you can and be the CSO; become the Chief Storytelling Officer already.
- Matt Holmes
Featured Science Site of the Week #1
American Scientist
Award-winning magazine, illustrated bi-monthly pub on science,?engineering, and?technology
Featured Science Site of the Week #2
Smithsonian Magazine
When not mired in generational controversy, the Smithsonian is the leader in US archival history and anthropology.
Featured Science Site of the Week #3
Gizmodo
Its as iconic as it is American in its nature and roots. ?Science, Space, AI and Global news. . .its all original AF.
Featured Business
LeMay Collections at Marymount
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Company Website:
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Marketing Minute
It’s your Launchguide Weekly Marketing Minute!
Avoiding the Perils: Top 5 Pitfalls of Bad Marketing Strategies
Dear Esteemed Readers,
In the world of marketing, the choice between DIY efforts and outsourcing can be a pivotal decision for businesses, especially for emergent or established ventures. Let's delve into the top five benefits and drawbacks of DIY-ing your marketing as a business owner.
The Top 5 Benefits of DIY Marketing:
The Top 5 Drawbacks of DIY Marketing:
For emergent or established businesses, deciding whether to DIY marketing or outsource it requires a careful evaluation of these benefits and drawbacks. While DIY offers control, cost savings, and authenticity, it also demands significant time, expertise, and resources.
Consider leveraging the strengths of both approaches—DIY for an intimate understanding of your brand and outsourced expertise for specialized strategies or during periods of expansion.
Striking a balance between DIY efforts and professional guidance can pave the way for a well-rounded marketing strategy that aligns with your business goals and resources.
Success begins with a single choice.
- The Launchguide Team ???
Product Review
Today’s Featured Product Review is over:
Smashing Logo!
Smashinglogo -
The Logo Maker built for 1000+ industries and over 20 million users
Step 1 - Choose a?Logo Name
You can always change it later.
Step 2 - Choose 1-3?Industry Keywords
Don't worry if the keyword or industry that you have on your mind isn’t available - you can add it anyway!
Step 3 - Choose up to 3?Virtual Designers
Every designer has a special style. No worries, you can switch between these designers at any time if you want to try something different.
Step 4 - Choose up to 5?Brand Attributes
Which attributes would you use to describe you and your business? Deciding on a few meaningful attributes is essential to characterize your brand, your overall messaging and tone of voice.
Step 5 - Choose up to 12?Colors
In order to emphasize the message of your business, you can choose your preferred brand colors from a wide range of over 300 premium pantone colors.
Step 6 - Choose up to 4?Icons
If you prefer a more simple and typographic logo, just skip this step. You can also add an icon later.
And you’re on your way! ?Smashinglogo let’s you pay for one-time use, unlimited use, and also offers an unlimited-revisions option (most costly but most cost-effective as well!). ?
Download JUST the specific file you need or ALL of those damn files lol you’ll ever possibly need. ?It’s all good either way.
?Expeditious Logo Creation. ?Same day, save your sanity.
Smashinglogo! And that is your Featured Product of the week! - Launchguide Team ??
Sponsored Post
Products or services that are purchased through Launchguide results in a benefit to the Launchguide.
LOOKING TO ESTABLISH A STRONG ONLINE & BRAND PRESENCE?
Organic Search
Ask us about SEO, Listings, Reviews, Backlinks, Blogging, Guest-Blogging, Articles and more. ?We'll help you pagerank organically and you’ll own every factor of production.
Paid Search
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Content Marketing
What’s better than clicks to your site or landing page to drive your sales process? We’ll take care of the arrows and guides that point your audience and followers where you want ‘em to go.
WRAP
As always, we’re looking to pay it forward and back and help businesses succeed while avoiding common mistakes - weekly we’ll be providing the latest news, tips, hacks and updates to your marketing.
Our vision is simple - share the most useful and valuable information we come across, test, study, research and vet so you don’t have to. ??As you’ve come to discover, we’ll be sharing Featured Articles, Spotlights, Product and Service reviews, new technology, AI updates, Shout Outs, Brand of the Week and/or Month fun tools and re-sharing industry and industry-adjacent breaking news. ?
Did you notice any typos or inaccuracies? ?We’re committed to error-free reporting and look forward to hearing back on anything you caught that you think we should fix or address. ?
COMING SOON
***Launchguide Radio***
In case you missed it above; expected project completion 12.15.23.
Expect to experience interruptions in broadcast while we're building but you can tune in to take a sneak listen below:
Stay subscribed to keep up and be in-the-know, or click Unsubscribe below. ?
- The Launchguide Team ???
In the meantime, follow us to Social for 10% off of any core service offering that we’re featuring at Launchguide.io, or read on about our core offerings to helping your business launch online. ?Tune back in this time next week for the latest.
- The Launchguide Weekly.