Do you need a bit of inspiration for your marketing strategy? If you’re hitting a rut or getting bored with the same old ideas, it may help to take a step back.
Waaaay back, that is. This Monday Morning Coffee is about getting perspective with some well-known Americans. These aren’t new names; they are historical figures celebrated for their courage, wisdom and leadership.
Today, they’re being celebrated for what they bring to marketing. It’s not that any of them spoke about marketing, in particular, but their genius can be applied to your marketing strategy to bring new energy and life to your efforts.
Abraham Lincoln
Abe Lincoln is best remembered for seeing the nation through the Civil War, for the Emancipation Proclamation and for his public speaking talents. You might picture him in a snazzy top hat.
Lincoln was also known for his commitment to preparation. He once said, “Give me six hours to chop down a tree, and I will spend the first four hours sharpening the axe.”
How does this apply to marketing? Don’t just wing it. You need solid data behind your activities and a comprehensive strategy that pulls it all together into a cohesive approach to growing your brand. You may feel as if you’re taking a long time to get ready to do marketing, but jumping in without a solid strategy can waste resources.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. is a name synonymous with the Civil Rights Movement and his ideas for bringing about change through peaceful means continue to inspire change today.
His best-known speech, delivered during the March on Washington in 1963 on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, showcases a brilliant message, one that people still quote. The “I Have a Dream” speech can offer inspiration to your marketing strategy.
MLK wasn’t simply sharing a few thoughts that occurred to him; he was deeply committed to the vision he presented in his speech. He laid out a message of what the country could be, at its best.
Your company wasn’t begun on a whim, either. You had a vision of what you wanted to offer your customers and how it could make their lives better. It may not be on the level of all humanity living in harmony, but your vision for your company deserves a well-composed message, one that communicates what makes your brand unique and valuable.
Eleanor Roosevelt
Involved in social welfare, women’s issues and civil rights, Eleanor Roosevelt reimagined the role of the First Lady and transformed it forever. She participated in radio broadcasts and penned a syndicated daily column.
Your marketing doesn’t have to follow the pattern of anyone who came before you. While you will want to be aware of what your competitors are doing, you shouldn’t follow their lead. A good marketing team can help you examine your target audience, evaluate your brand message and create a strategy tailored to your unique message.
Marketing trends change, and they can change quickly, but there are some broader values we see in brilliant historical leaders that apply to all of life, including marketing. To talk more about the kinds of ways you can think about marketing, contact us at SJC.