Think Twice about the How to Use Traditional Marketing

Guest Contributor:  Michael Hartzell

How long before you think twice about the marketing method you are using?  When everyone does it, can you be unique? 

At what point did mail (via mail box and letter) become more about advertising and kitty litter boxes vs. communication?

At what point did the phone ring so often with a sales call that the blessing of an answering machine as appreciated.

At what point did the fax machine running out of paper from advertisers become motivation to have “the secret fax machine number”?

At what point did the email inbox become an obstacle course to lasso the valuable communications?

At what point will the social media become so encumbered with advertisers that the Facebook inbox will be another “junk pile”?

At what point will the incoming text messages from advertisers outnumber the personal text messages?

When everyone blogging for business, when is it time to stop?

Here is a statistic from eMarketer.    http://www.emarketer.com/Article.aspx?R=1007871

When will blogging become a weak tool?

You already know the answer but I will pause and remind you.

The Five Essentials to Business Success refers to “Unique Personal Invitation”.  Any of the above methods of communication can be used to support business growth.  To have them work in tandem to create a synergy is best.  Letters and postcards in the mail, texting, fax, email, door hangers, blogging and even newspaper will still work.  (TV and Radio are now available on a local level to the business owner).  Of course there is a rumor that Inbound Marketing is taking over.  On the contrary, Inbound Marketing is simply one more tool in the arsenal.  It is meant for those who are already searching for a business.  The game may be more hopeful as Inbound Marketing attracts those who are already searching for a specific product or service.

For the entrepreneur there will always be someone:  smarter, faster and richer with more skill & will.  With personalization, it becomes about service and meeting the specific needs of the customer.  Using the various marketing tools to send this message and have the others share a testimonial in a time where anything can be shared will make the difference between advertising and sending the message:  “We Serve”. 

The message is simply:  Success is possible with the traditional tools but it is time to break it down and use them in new and innovative ways.

(c) 2010  Michael Hartzell – Inbound Marketing Certified Professional, entrepreneur, writer, speaker, restaurant marketing coach.   Co-Author of “The Reality of ROI & Social Media Marketing”.   Member of the American Marketing Association.  Read more at:   www.michaelhartzell.com/blog or www.michaelhartzell.com/restaurant-marketing