Does the idea of marketing make you groan? It does for a lot of people, but it really shouldn’t be that way. For one, we don’t want to spend any time doing things we hate and we hope the same for you. But more importantly, if you hate marketing your business, your customers can tell. They aren’t going to stick around if you aren’t having any fun yourself. So for everyone’s sake, let’s figure out how to enjoy marketing your small business.

Reframe Selling & Marketing As Serving

When we think about selling and marketing, even as a marketer, we often find ourselves cringing. The idea that we’re trying to convince people to buy something gives us capitalistic ick. However! That’s not what we’re doing here. You’re helping people relax, have fun, make friends, stay healthy, and so much more by supporting their hobbies. This is the customer-focused mindset that we champion. 

We all choose to spend our discretionary income on things that make us happy. We’re going to spend that money at a brewery, boxing gym, ceramics studio, or board game cafe. So why shouldn’t it be yours?

By reframing your marketing to the customer’s POV, you can see yourself as serving them in their dopamine hunt.

Cut the Crappy Tasks

There are likely some aspects of marketing you enjoy and others you dislike. First, make a list of all your marketing tasks. Then ask yourself what tasks absolutely must be done and what could be eliminated. There are many factors at play here to consider. Maybe your most successful customer retention marketing strategy is the one you dread the most. Probably don’t cut that one. However, ask around on your team if anyone has an interest in the things you don’t like doing; maybe they’d love to tackle that tactic. 

When you cut or delegate the marketing tactics you don’t love, you’ll find you have more time, energy, and excitement for the rest of it.

Brainstorm Big Hairy Ideas

At least once a year, get all of your stakeholders together for a big brainstorming session. This can include employees, key trusted customers, investors or advisors, even friends and family. Gather everyone with treats and invite them to share their wildest ideas to raise awareness for your business, and to retain customers. Every idea is valid and should be written down.

You’ll of course get some ideas that are way out of budget, but you also may get some genius ideas to add to your list for this year. 

Show Your True Colors

Sharing what you’re passionate about with your customers will not only help them better connect with your brand, but should also be a ton of fun for you. If you love red blends, talk about your process. If you are Spiderman fanatic, share that and we’re sure you’ll find others too. If you own an indoor climbing gym but really love outdoor climbing too, share that and create a new belay buddy finding system.

You probably need to talk about trending new products in your store or popular class offerings, but feel free to also talk about fun stuff that doesn’t always earn the most revenue because if you show how passionate about it, you just might change that.

Make It A Practice

We highly recommend keeping a simple list with all your shower ideas, car ride ideas, insomnia ideas, suggestion box ideas. Make a home for any and all ideas; then when you are lacking creativity later, you’ve got a jumping off point and aren’t starting your marketing planning from a blank page. 

Jess does this with travel ideas too. Whenever she hears about a cool new speakeasy, a stellar hike, or a unique fitness studio, she marks it on her Google Maps. Then when she’s looking for fun things to do in new destinations or someone asks for recommendations, she’s already got a bank of ideas. 

We hope these five ideas help you enjoy your marketing a little bit more. If you try these and still find you don’t want to spend time marketing your business, we can help. Our store has lots of comprehensive guides and email templates. Plus, we can do all the strategy and implementation for you if you’d rather. 

You got this friend!