Provide Value in Your Marketing

Marketing. That word evokes all kinds of reactions among folks. Do you feel a little prickly at the mention or are you nodding that, yep, it's all marketing and that's swell.

Marketing is simply the process of communicating value.

Communicating.

Value.


No matter what you do, we all are marketers. Hearing people say that used to bug me, and I imagine some of you are put off too. But really, it is all swell.

Communicating value is important and noble. Yes, I said noble. (Defined as having or showing fine personal qualities or high moral principles and ideals.)

Maybe you are a massage therapist. Wonderful. Love you, need you, adore you. If you do not market, I do not know you exist. You need to communicate with me so I can show my love, need, and adoration. That comes in the way of me making an appointment, getting to be a regular with you, becoming your biggest fan, a big tipper and a big referrer. So please market to me!

Part two is value. You have to provide value. You provide value in your service and in your marketing. You can give me tips why I need a regular massage. You can share the benefits of body work. You can tell me cool things to make my life better. Don't assume everyone knows the power of a massage. Some still think it's a luxury or they feel weird about it. Allay their nerves with your sincere marketing.

Marketing is about being top of mind. When someone decides they are ready for a massage, they will think of you because you have been regularly communicating value - your value in the service you provide and value in general, like a great recipe for smoothies.

I was marketing before I even knew anything about marketing or had any real services to offer. I started my e-newsletter in 2008 to keep in touch with folks who had attended my workshops. It was my way of communicating value even when the only value I gave was information and inspiration each week. It was, and is, my joy.

Now, I have plenty of services to offer (editing, writing, publishing assistance) in a variety of formats (Power Hour Calls, group programs, 1-to-1 private coaching) and when you are ready, I will be top of mind. (I also can give a great "recipe" for a Limoncello smoothie. It's my husband's concoction. Prince Charming is an alchemist. Throw some vanilla ice cream and fresh strawberries in the blender or smoothie machine. Add some Limoncello (don't make it too strong; and this is not a dessert for kids). Mix it up, pour in dessert glasses and freeze for a few hours. Delicious!)

I give value every week, in some way!

If you need to understand the value of having a book, in acronym form, becoming an author helps you EXCEL MORE. Exposure. X Factor. Credibility. Excitement. Leverage. That leads to more opportunities. More speaking engagements. More clients. More money. More fun.

You get instant respect when you become an author. There are ways to create a book almost instantly as well. You have the content. We can turn it into a book lickety split. A beautiful, high quality book that makes you giddy.

And when you have that book that makes you proud, you will want to tell people about it. That's marketing. See? It's all swell. It's sharing good news. Communicating to your peeps about the value your book provides is what I can help with too.

Communication is the cornerstone of our human existence. Don't shy away from it. You have something of value. You have a service or a gadget or expertise or skills, and when you communicate it to those who need your service, gadget, expertise or skills, you give them the value they are needing.