You work hard, and you’re really good at what you do.
You’ve always been smart. One of the best.
But don’t take a left down easy street yet.
Be sure to check this list to make sure you’re not making these mistakes that a lot of marketers unknowingly make.
Or you may be getting the boot instead of the atta-boy.
1. You’ve buried your zing.
Your sparkle is gone. You’ve gotten bland and boring, and blend in with everyone else who does what you do.
As a matter of fact, your customers hardly even notice you’re still there.
Wake up! Infuse your personality back into your brand.
Your personality is what connects you with your your customers. And in the long run, increase sales.
2. Your vision is blurred.
You’ve lost clarity, and don’t know who you are as a business anymore.
You’ve wandered off course without realizing it.
If you don’t know where you’re going, how do you know which path to follow?
Focus and get back on track by creating a crystal clear vision of what you want to create in your business and WHY.
When you create a vision with incredible clarity, your customers become excited to be a part of the big picture.
3. You don’t know who you’re serving.
If you don’t know who your target audience is, how do you know what they need?
Or where they are?
Or who you’re talking to?
If you don’t know who you’re marketing to, you’re just shooting in the dark. After a while you’re sure to hit something, but not without spending lots of time, money and energy to do it.
Irresistible brands can describe who their audience is in detail. They know them as if they were a best friend. And they’ve built trust and loyalty because of it.
Figure out who your ideal customer is and what drives them.
4. Your ears are plugged.
You’ve gotten so self-focused, you can’t even hear your customers screaming, “Can you help me with my problem?”
You have to become acutely aware of what your audience wants.
Strong brands have perfected the art of listening. They know WHO their customers are and WHAT they need.
Just ask them, and listen.
Once you hear what they need, you can give them exactly what they want.
And leave them absolutely delighted.
5. You try to do all things for all people.
If you’re trying to please everyone, you’re pleasing no one. You can’t do all things for all people.
While you’ve been trying, you’ve become a generalist instead of a specialist.You may be “fine” at a lot of things, but you aren’t an expert in any one area.
If your child had a serious heart problem, would you take her to a pediatrician, or would you find the best heart surgeon you could? Nuff said.
People chase after the experts.
Focus on what you’re really great at, and become the expert in your niche.
6. You’re not different.
You’re just like everybody else who does what you do. You blend in. You’re generic, vague, and uninteresting.
To jump ahead in this economy, you have to be different.
Really, really different.
The new rule: When everybody zigs, zag.-Marty Neumeier
Differentiation will kick start the engine to your high performance brand.
And it gets you on the fast track to having more people buy more stuff for more years at a higher price.7. You’re a coward.
7. You’re afraid to be yourself, and to take a stand. After all, you might offend someone. So you stay neutral.
You don’t want to exclude any potential customers.
Or do you?
By being neutral you end up not getting anyone excited about what you do. Nobody buys from a boring brand.
Give your audience something to agree or disagree with. That’s how they decide to be your customer, or not.
You’ll magnetically attract those who share your view, and you create stronger connections with them.
Be a bold, brave brand and stand for something.
What other brand mistakes can you add to this list?
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