What do marketing professionals do?
Do we concentrate all our efforts into branding, advertising, promotions, and the like? Many see marketing that way but the experts know these are only specific segments of marketing.
Marketing is an analytical strategy that positions you to create demand for your services or products. This positioning depends upon critical thinking of the following:
- Target Market: people who we want to take an active interest in our stuff – and no, we do not waste resources in targeting everyone. A successful company cannot be the lowest priced, highest quality business that has something for everyone. Rather, marketing professionals need to research who our most relevant customers are, where they are, what they want, and how they perceive and approach us.
- Competition: the folks who hinder you from connecting with your target market. The more you know about your competitors, their objectives, and how they react to customers’ needs, the better equipped you are in positioning yourself and your products in a different (hopefully more attractive) light.
- Yourself: identifying your strengths and abilities to fulfill your vision. This isn’t necessarily about having the biggest budget and all the resources in the world at your disposal, but ultimately about the company’s strengths, weaknesses, culture and determination to meet the company’s goals.
By analyzing these key factors, only then can you implement an effective marketing strategy and execute the necessary tactics (advertising, branding, etc.).
What I love about my career is that marketing isn’t just for business – you can apply this analytical strategy to personal goals, ministries, and even hobbies.
In the end, marketing is all about understanding who you want to impact, pinpointing your biggest obstacles, and determining how capable and willing you are to achieve your vision.