Make sure your marketing mindset works for you

Posted by Jerry Smith · December 8, 2009 · Print This Article

Your state of mind can help or hinder you. It is rarely, if ever, neutral. That means that how you think about marketing, and in particular, how you think of yourself in regards to marketing, is very important.

Your mind can betray you in subtle ways. There is the big picture stuff of course – fearing presentations leading to avoidance behavior for example, but there is also the small scale betrayals that can sabotage your efforts.

Here are a few examples:

1. It’s just a very rough draft – frequently heard (or seen) when presenting a piece of written marketing material. Often followed by something that has been rather hastily prepared. The “rough draft” statement comes across as “don’t be too critical” and/or implies that this isn’t your best work, i.e. it is subject to further development. Saying that, even to yourself, will lead you to fail to give of your best – after all, it’s only a rough draft

2. I’m going to try/am just trying this tactic – are you going to try it, or are you going to do it? A mindset of try gives you permission to fail – “well, at least I tried”. Avoid going into anything with an attitude of giving it a try – as the famous quote from Star Wars (Master Yoda specifically) tells us: “Do, or do not. There is no try.”

3. Hopefully – hoping isn’t a strategy. Entering a marketing plan hoping it will work, at least stated in those terms, will lead to a lack of concrete activity to make it happen. It is OK to be hopeful, but put a lot of planning and strategy around it and ensure you are taking action, not just hoping on a wing and a prayer.

4. Self-deprecation – a little humor is fine. Poking fun at yourself can also be fine, but it isn’t very effective as a marketing tactic. Putting yourself down all the time is annoying to others and they will quickly see through it for what it is – fishing for compliments and attention, and search for confidence boosting reassurance. You don’t need to do it. You don’t have to appear self-serving and arrogant to be confident in yourself.

There are others of course, but the key point is that you have what it takes to be successful in marketing your business. Beware of these mindset tricks that can easily creep in – keep your mindset working for you!

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