The missing ingredient in your marketing

Marketing today is harder than ever – for everyone. Consider your own inbox and social media feed to know it's true. Everyone wants your attention. Few are getting it.

You still have to show up – because a website and an active social media feed are a bare minimum to prove you're open for business. But on their own, these rarely attract new people.

If all you do is post and then wait for people to sign up, no one's coming.

These days, attracting the right referrals, patients or clients means new ways of reaching out –– directly.

Today I'm sharing with you a new method of marketing I've been deploying. I call it the "Nagging Mom Method."

Nagging is probably not the best terms because of its annoying connotations, but it works for me. I channel the same super power I've used with my kids for 20 years to send friendly reminders to my prospects and referral sources about how I can help them.

Here's what this looks like:

1. Email/direct message ideal prospects or referral sources with a few friendly messages introducing yourself and your services over the span of a week or two.

2. Ask to set up quick chat in your last few messages.

3. Make a note in your calendar to reach out again every few weeks.

4. Don't give up. Don't go away.

5. If someone you want to work with says they don't need you now, ask if it's okay to reach out again in a few months.

6. Keep at it.

If this sounds uncomfortable, that's because it is. But here's the thing. When you know what you do can help someone, and you know you're a good fit, you push past your embarrassment and ask again.

Despite all my nagging I've never had anyone tell me I'm annoying. More often, they thank me for my persistence because they really do need my help...eventually.

They only say yes at the exact time that's good for them. It's our job to be there at that moment.

I have clients today who I reached out to directly 12 (!) times until I got to yes. And that's on top of the content marketing I create.

Marketing still works great for building awareness. It's a little ping to remind people what you do and how you work. But getting to yes these days doesn't come as easily. Simply putting a "Schedule an appointment" button on your website doesn't do the job without more direct conversations and relationship building.

Give it a try and let me know how it works for you.

Cheers! ??

Wendy

Women's History Month

I had the privilege to interview three powerhouse OSU Medical Center physicians at the top of their field in honor of Women's History Month. Not only was the life-long Buckeye in me thrilled, but so much of what they shared resonated.

Besides their stories of overcoming challenges to rise in the ranks of academic medicine, all three said that being a woman makes them a?better?doctor. I feel the same way about my work.

Click here to read?Women in Medicine: How today's female physicians are forging a path for equity and representation for the next generation of women in medicine

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