[Marketing] Is your perspective of marketing holding you back?

I was trying to explain to the Vickery children on the way to school recently why I don't think it's appropriate for them to continually eat sweet stuff, even if Nanny does offer it to them ALL. THE. TIME. (Anyone else have this situation!?)

My reasoning:

• You'll get a poorly tummy
• Sugar is harmful to the inside of your body
• Your teeth will get damaged
• It impacts your behaviour and you get told off.

Their reasoning:

• But it tastes good
• My friends always have it
• Nanny gave it to me
• But "HE" had some (referring to twin brother!)
• But it is Halloween... Easter... Christmas... Monday! Insert whatever day it is because there's always an excuse!

So do they listen to my perspective?

Well hopefully it will sink in eventually, but in the main...

NO.

They are in the moment, and if sugary foods are offered, they will accept them. And if they are on display at the shop, they will want them, and ask for them.

For them, they are right and I am wrong.

But are either of us right or wrong, or is it a matter of perspective and balance, and understanding both parties and their thoughts and angles on a given subject?

I'll keep striving to educate my children, but they can have the best of both worlds, if we look at both angles, and come to a compromise.

Where am I going with Friday Thought?

All to often, as business owners, we believe that our perspective is the RIGHT ONE. I know I do - often.

Think about it...?you are the only one in your head, who sees things completely from your angle. You are the only person who has your experience, and the only one with your memories.

Because of this, it is easy to trust ourselves 100%; but often there are other angles to consider that would give us a much more rounded viewpoint and help us to make a more informed decision.

I've seen many examples of this in Marketing, when...

• Business owners spend a whole bunch of money on an expensive advert, and if they'd consulted a professional, they'd have known the reason it wouldn't work. They then have their fingers burnt.
• Some marketing activity is taking place within businesses, but it's NOT the right marketing activity that will get them results. They end up thinking that marketing "just doesn't work"; but quite simply, they don't know what they don't know - and they won't until they seek the right help.
• The person responsible for Marketing in a business perhaps does not understand the breadth of opportunity available to them, and therefore, sticks with the status quo, and doesn't maximise on leads and sales.

Does any of this resonate?

Seeking out some guidance from people 'in the know' is always a good idea if you are not achieving the results you really want to.

Get that extra perspective.

There's a couple of further points below, if you're keen to have a little of marketing perspective from me!

1. SOCIAL MEDIA

FROM MY PERSPECTIVE...

If you are not getting results from Social Media, then you are probably doing a lot less than even 40% of what you should be.

What if you could work out the other 40% and make it happen?

Find out more on how you can do that here.

2. BLACK FRIDAY:

FROM MY PERSPECTIVE...

If you are NOT doing a Black Friday campaign/offer, consider these stats in the image (they are in percentage terms based on this very question being asked on three different social media platforms) from some recent research I have conduced, and work out whether you should reconsider.

So when considering Black Friday, ask yourself:

• Where are my customers hanging out?
• Do these stats support NOT doing an offer, or should I consider it?
• Will there be extra sales opportunity for me?

There's no right or wrong answer here; just weighing up the opportunity and deciding yes, or no. There's reasons not to, for sure. But equally, what do you have to lose?

If you haven't already checked it out,?here's an article I wrote ?on different offers you can look at for Black Friday - and they don't need to be discounts!