As a coach or consultant with expertise outside of the world of business, you may have some misconceptions about marketing. You might think that only tech-savvy people can create successful marketing campaigns, or that you need to spend a lot of money to see any results. But the truth is, marketing is within your reach – and it doesn’t have to break the bank. In this post, we’ll dispel five of the biggest myths about marketing for coaches, consultants and experts. So read on to learn more, and see how you can get started today!
Marketing is only for big businesses
One of the biggest myths we’ve come across is that marketing is only for big businesses. This couldn’t be further from the truth! Marketing is essential for any business, big or small. After all, what good is a product or service if no one knows about it? While big businesses may have larger marketing budgets, small businesses can still effectively market their products and services on a budget that aligns better with their stage of business.
Like with all things of value, the trade off is always between time & energy, skill and finance. You need to decide which resource you are willing to apply and invest in, and consider the tension between having a job done fast, cheaply or well. Fortunately every scenario can be covered. A decision just has to be made.
There are a variety of free or low-cost marketing tools and techniques available, which can cover all the core aspects of digital marketing such as social media marketing, web and search engine optimization, email marketing and content marketing.
In reality, marketing is just as important for small businesses. Small businesses need to market themselves in order to attract customers and build brand awareness. Marketing can be a bit overwhelming for non-techies, but luckily there are plenty of resources available to help. There are many different marketing channels, and the best way to figure out which ones to use is to experiment and see what works best for your business. There are also a variety of marketing tools available, so you can automate some of the more tedious tasks.
Even a small business can benefit from developing a marketing strategy and implementing some basic marketing tactics. By doing so, a small business can reach new customers, build brand awareness, and ultimately boost sales. In other words, marketing is not just for big businesses -it’s for all businesses that want to succeed.
Marketing is sleazy and dishonest
Marketing is often seen as a necessary evil by those who don’t understand it, because they think all marketing is about tricking people into buying things they don’t need. This myth likely stems from the fact that many have had poor experiences of being sold to, with many viewing the sales process as being pushy and manipulative (it’s not but that’s for another blog!). Marketing is simply about understanding what people want and need, and then creating a plan to reach them with your product or service so you can be a solution to a real and invasive problem. It’s not about deception or manipulation; it’s about connecting with people in a way that is helpful and beneficial for both parties. Rather like evangelism, it should be a win-win for everybody where one good thing is powerfully shared so many can benefit.
The process of marketing can help people to understand what they need or want, and then provides them with the information they need to make an informed decision. When done correctly, marketing can be an incredibly powerful tool for good. So don’t buy into the myth that marketing is inherently bad – it’s not!
Marketing is expensive
Sure, there are some marketing campaigns that come with a hefty price tag and bigger companies often have more cash to throw at their campaigns. But the overall net result of good marketing, is that there is always a return on investment – which means the process of marketing should ideally cover the cost of marketing.
As with all things there are risks, and this is where the real anxieties lie! But not all marketing is expensive. The truth is, marketing can be very affordable, and there are many ways to market your products or services and reach your target audiences on a tight budget. For example, social media marketing and conversion event marketing are great ways to reach a large audience without breaking the bank, if done simply and strategically.
Here the focus is really on content marketing and creating value upfront – leaning on the principle that by creating high-quality content, you can attract attention and build trust with potential customers.
Another cost-effective marketing strategy is email marketing. By reaching out directly to potential customers, you can create a personal connection and increase the chances of making a sale.
Finally, virtual event and challenge marketing is another great way to reach a large audience without spending a lot of money. By harnessing the power of running an event like an online challenge, you can connect with potential customers and build a community and relationships that will last using a very basic tech setup.
The danger really comes when businesses want to run before they can walk, inappropriately stretching their resources without properly assessing any risks.
So, don’t let the myth that marketing is expensive dissuade you from pursuing it. With a little creativity, you can find cost-effective ways to reach your target market and powerfully grow your business, step by step.
Marketing is a waste of time
Marketing is an essential part of any business, and it’s something that should be given careful thought and attention. Of course it takes some time and effort and there will be some poorly designed or executed marketing campaigns that won’t see a return on investment, whether that’s financial or in terms of reach and impact. But that doesn’t mean that marketing as a whole is a bad idea. In fact, when done correctly, marketing is an essential part of growing a business.
The key is to focus on creating campaigns that are targeted and relevant to your audience, that align with your goals and stage of business. When you put in the effort to reach the right people with the right message in the right way, you’ll be surprised at how effective marketing can be. There are a number of different marketing strategies that can be used, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. The key is to find the right mix of strategies for your particular business. A good marketing plan will take into account your target market, your budget, and your objectives, as well as your style of working.
It’s important to remember that marketing is an ongoing process, not something that you do once and then forget about. In short, marketing is absolutely essential for any business that wants to succeed. If you’re not actively working to promote your business, you’re likely to see a decline in clients and cashflow which can be the warning signs of impending doom.
You need to be a techie to do marketing
This myth is perpetuated by the fact that many modern-day marketing tools and platforms are tech-based, and require some level of technical expertise to use. But marketing is about understanding people, not technology. To be successful with your marketing activity, you need to understand what motivates people, what interests them, and what drives their purchasing decisions. Once you have this understanding, you can use technology to reach them where they are and deliver your message in a way that resonates with them. So don’t let the myth that you need to be a techie stop you from marketing your business. However, if the tech you need is perfect for the way you want to deliver your message and you really cannot get on board with it, then we highly recommend outsourcing this element to someone who can. You do not need to waste your valuable time and sanity learning tech when there are experts out there who can help you immediately.
Conclusion
I hope this article has helped to clear up some of the misconceptions many (often non-techie or business-savvy) coaches, consultants and experts may have about digital marketing. If you still have any questions, or if you’d like to discuss your specific marketing needs in more detail, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our team would be happy to help!
