What A B*!!!!

Do I have your attention now? Good, lol. I just returned from Pubcon 2019 in South Florida. My head is swimming, to say the least. There were a ton of fantastic sessions and I literally came away with pages of notes. I will definitely be writing about some of the tactical/executional strategies that I picked up during the conference. However, marketing is as much about mindset as it is about execution. So, I want to share three overarching principles that really jumped out at me during Pubcon. Use them to frame your approach to digital marketing in the future and I really believe that you will be a better marketing professional. Most importantly, I believe that you will provide the highest level of service possible to your company and/or your clients.

1. Be Water, My Friend!

Let go of your preconceived notions. Digital marketing platforms are constantly changing and evolving. The tactics that worked a year ago might not work today. Audiences are changing so the messaging that worked a year ago might not be impactful today. We should constantly be testing new ideas and new approaches. Don't get married to Google Ads, Bing, and Facebook (let's call them the big three). Obviously, these are massive platforms with massive reach. However, these are not the ONLY platforms. Date other platforms. As we all know, the "big three" continue to be more and more satured with advertisers. And, we all know that increased saturation equals increased costs. There are a boatload of viable platforms that you can test. Look for efficiency. Look for return on investment. Diversify your marketing mix! Be flexible. Be fluid. Be water, my friend.

2. Be Humble - This one might be a little tricky for some of us. Let me start by saying that I have over 13 years of experience in digital marketing. I have worked in-house and at agencies (currently, agency side). Many people consider me an expert at what I do. Many people consider me a thought leader. I have mentored digital marketers. Guess what? I don't know every thing. If you want to be an innovative, cutting-edge digital marketer, then CHECK YOUR EGO AT THE DOOR. And, yes I used caps on purpose. Let me do it one more time to drive my point home. CHECK YOUR EGO AT THE DOOR. I had the opportunity to connect with, and learn from, amazing people. The door is open to continue to broaden my knowledge because my network has grown. I will have the benefit of additional information, experience, and perspective. This will help me to grow as a digital marketer and will improve the service that I can deliver to clients. King Solomon put it this way. "A rope made of three cords is hard to break" (Ecclesiastes 4:12). We are better together than we are apart. Don't be myopic. Broaden your circle. Keep your mind open. Be humble.

3. Be Relentless - This one is simple. Never, ever settle. Do not let your successes lull you to sleep. Comfort can lead to apathy. Apathy can lead to staleness. Staleness can lead to extinction. Your past should be your teacher. Nothing more. Nothing less. Always be learning. Always be testing. Look for ways to be better. Look for ways to make gains, even if the wins are small. Be relentless until you figure it out. Every platform has it peculiarities. Test, test, and test until you learn how to use platforms to benefit your clients or business. Don't get lulled to sleep. While you are celebrating yesterday's victories, someone else is crafting the strategy that will drive the industry tomorrow. Don't play a game of "catch up". Lead from the front. Be relentless. Be better.

Final note: If you missed Pubcon South Florida, I would highly recommend considering Pubcon Las Vegas. Here's the link, https://www.pubcon.com/las-vegas-2019. Now, go forth. Be water. Be humble, Be relentless. Be great!