Thoughts on Marketing

Old Years Resolutions

[Originally published as The Marketing Mix newsletter on Substack]

We start the year off with good intentions.

Maybe it’s to lose weight (isn’t it always?), or to sleep more. To waste less time in meetings; or be more strategic with investments.

By the end of January, though, most of those have fallen by the wayside and we’re back on the hamster wheel, trying to just keep up.

That’s why I like to set my intentions on February 1st. I think they have more chance to actually stick – you’ve blown out the cobwebs, and you’re ready to make things happen.

“OK Steve. You’re so smart. What are your ‘February Resolutions’?”

Good question! I share a few of them below…

Does your team need a Marketing Mentor?

But first…In a very unscientific poll on Linkedin, I asked “What’s the biggest challenge for a marketer in a small business”? The number one answer was ‘no time to build a strategy,’ followed by ‘too many balls to juggle.’

If your marketing team is small or inexperienced, one way to boost their output is to bring in a marketing mentor. I’ve done this for a number of companies – spending an hour or two each week providing guidance, coaching and a layer of experience. Interested? Let’s chat.

My 2024 intentions

Keep up with AI

– Let’s start with the easy one 😏. AI has moved beyond the curiosity phase, it’s time to embed it in our processes. I already use AI-featured tools, but the evolution of the ChatGPT app store could really kick AI up to the next level this year. Lots to learn…

Do more “in-person”

– Remote working has its limitations. There’s nothing like sitting down with someone face-to-face and digging into the details – so I’m going to make a point of more in-person client meetings. And also continue the “Marketing Mixer” dinners that I kicked off at the end of last year.

The inaugural “Marketing Mixer” dinner

Avoid the LinkedIn noise

– I find the current tendency to post hot takes, “unpopular opinions,” and hero stories very tiring. I’ve started to cull people from my LI network to clean up the feed. But really, can we just go back to posting “normal” material?! Not everyone needs to be a LinkedIn influencer. [Others seem to agree, in this recent LI convo]

Drink of the Week

For any of you following Dry January, I apologize for putting this temptation in front of you. But in cold weather, a smoky cocktail is just the ticket.

Last week, I had a mezcal cocktail called “Bees at the Barbecue.” I think other bars might call it a modified Bee Sting. Either way, it went great with the Mexican food we were eating. And don’t worry if you don’t like spice – the Chile liqueur is balanced by the honey.

I don’t have the recipe, so here’s my best guess:

  • 2 oz mezcal
  • 1/2 oz Ancho Reyes chile liqueur
  • 3/4 oz honey syrup
  • 3/4 oz lemon juice

Shake with ice🧊 and enjoy.

Cheers!

Steve

Cheers!

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Cheers!

Steve