|
Christian-Preneurs: Top 3 Marketing Mistakes |
By:
April L. Gregory, CPMC |
|
|
Christian-Preneurs: Top 3 Marketing Mistakes
by April L. Gregory, CPMC
Even though the marketing world is difficult, it is even more treacherous for Christian-Prenuers. They have a difficult time with brand development, obtaining a systematic approach to business, and balancing their support all because they work from a different set of principles. As a Christian-Prenuer myself, and as a marketing consultant, I see these mistakes and I have listed below the symptoms and the solutions.
Let's start with problem number one: No Brand Identity/ USP Symptoms: 1. People do not understand what you do 2. You have a hard time identifying your ideal client 3. You think "everyone" is a potential client, patient or member 4. You cannot find the right words to create that brochure, website or sell sheet
A brand is more than a logo with matching stationary. It is, "a tapestry of feelings, words, associations and images that pops into the minds of your customers when they hear your name," as defined by Debra Valle, Brand Strategist. Some small business owners do not see the value in purposefully creating a brand. Your first job as an entrepreneur consultant or career professional looking for a new job is to clearly understand what you or your company stands for. From there you need to create a top notch service offering that consistently delivers on what you have promised. It is also absolutely necessary that you craft your brand message and image to reflect your stated values. I know we all want to hurry to the marketplace to sell our goods. However, if the branding process is skipped over, you will have a harder time connecting with your ideal customer. You will be talking but they will not hear you in the crowded marketplace.
Problem number two is that your efforts are fragmented or that you have no systematic process in place. The symptoms of this are: 1. Every other week you have a new marketing idea 2. You are frustrated with your results 3. You are working hard but not getting the client flow you deserve.
Like most of you out there, when I first started my business I knew that I had a lot of work to do, but I had no idea where to start. During the past years, I researched, developed, and implemented processes that helped me create systems that made balancing my time and resources easier. The author E-Myth, Michael Gerber, says, "Most businesses fail because they do not have systems. Systems allow the business to work without the business." Obviously, a properly implemented system is grossly beneficial.
Problem number three occurs when Christian-Preneurs have too little or too much counsel. Too little counsel may be happening if: 1. You are a do it yourselfer with everything 2. You feel overwhelmed with every decision 3. You take too long to get things done and too much counsel may be occuring if: 1. You are always vacillating between opposing advisors 2. You have Analysis Paralysis; there are so many options you cannot choose 3. The core of you is lost in the opinions of others.
The ideal is to find an even balance of counsel. Too much creates dependece and blocks originality. On the other hand, too little counsel is dangerous because receiving the wrong information usually leads to the wrong decision making. In the current times, it is very easy to become a loner. Proverbs 11:14 says, "Where no counsel [is], the people fall: but in the multitude of counselors [there is] safety."
April Gregory, Founder of both AGI-International School of Marketing and AG Consulting, is a Coach-Consultant of AG Consulting Group, a Certified Professional Marketing Consultant and Certified Spiritual Coach. To contact April and learn more about her and her services visit www.april-gregory.com. You can get a unique content version of this article.
|
|
Article Source: http://www.statssheet.com/articles/article53899.html |
|
|
|
|
|
