What’s Your 2010 Strategy? Using Your Strengths to Become a Better Marketer

In thinking about a 2010 strategy and re-reading my post about analyzing the strengths of your opportunities, I realized that is only half the picture.

You are your best asset for growing in your marketing. Much is made of personal development in marketing, but take it a step further. Take a day and make it a day just for you and your thoughts. Turn off the computer, skip the emails, forget the webinars. Be alone with a pen and paper and think. No distractions – just you and your creative mind. It might seem uncomfortable at first, but you mind will slowly flower your own creative genius. You don’t need to go anywhere special, just make sure you are alone and nothing interrupts you – your mind, in silence, will speak to you.

And this, in turn, will give you a clear vision and new ideas that you can turn into massive action – for your benefit and that of the people you are trying to serve.

Ask yourself what you bring to the table. Look at what is available and unique to you – your talents, your time, the people you know, your products and any of the tools of marketing at your disposal. Keep digging for more and write them down. The length of the list of your strengths and your opportunities’ strengths may surprise you, and you may stumble upon a gem that is not focused on by others that you can implement in your work.

After you have done that – look at the market of people you seek to reach. Look at the world from their perspective. What are their dreams, what are they seeking, what do they lack and what would fulfill them? How can you help them in their lives? Put down whatever comes to mind – however bizarre; for now you are just using your creativity and imagination.

Then later – look at the two lists you’ve developed and see where there are relationships between them. Where do they cross-over and where can the pluses of your opportunities serve the needs of your prospective clientele.

You’ll be surprised at what you find – and your marketing will benefit. So will you, as someone trying to provide solutions, not simply sell.
The old cliche about “human being” vs. “human doing” still has it’s place. Amazing what still, quiet time can produce.