{"id":80216,"date":"2024-09-11T11:48:39","date_gmt":"2024-09-11T15:48:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/diymarketers.com\/?p=80216"},"modified":"2024-09-11T11:50:04","modified_gmt":"2024-09-11T15:50:04","slug":"marketing-frustration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/diymarketers.com\/marketing-frustration\/","title":{"rendered":"What’s Behind Your Marketing Frustration?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Marketing frustration is real; it’s normal and pervasive. Ultimately, when you’re frustrated by marketing that means you’ve somehow lost focus — even if you think you haven’t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overwhelm, means you’ve got too many balls in the air. Frustration means<\/a> that some of those balls are falling down around you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I get it; marketing can be expensive, the results can be hard to measure, and it takes a lot of iterations to get it right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Think SLOW Marketing: Overcoming Marketing Frustration<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

So, instead of constantly going from one marketing idea to the next, commit to focus; I like to call it SLOW marketing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Give yourself the time to think, process, make choices and implement those choices in your digital marketing efforts, see the impacts and data for those choices, so that you can make appropriate changes when you want to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Think of it this way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understanding the Challenges<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Inbound marketing teams face a multitude of challenges that can hinder their progress and cause frustration. Despite the fun, fast-paced, and rewarding nature of inbound marketing, common pain points voiced by inbound marketers include lack of team cohesiveness, constant change in direction, push for outbound marketing<\/a>, disconnects between sales and marketing teams, and unrealistic deadlines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inbound marketing involves multiple moving parts, including web development, content creation, and research. Effective execution requires everyone to be on the same page and working cohesively towards the same goal. A clearly documented standard operating procedure (SOP) can help avoid confusion and streamline efficiency. Identifying inefficiencies and optimizing each individual\u2019s workload based on their interests, strengths, and expertise can improve cohesiveness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inbound marketing plans take time to develop before they can come to fruition. Too much change too quickly can stifle progress and burn out the team before any results are achieved. Establishing challenging, but achievable, goals and identifying the resources needed to reach them can help. Sticking to the plan and investing in it to give it time to develop is crucial. Tweaking components of the plan for better performance is acceptable, but the overall direction of marketing efforts shouldn\u2019t change too often.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inbound marketing is a different approach than traditional marketing. It attracts prospects through non-invasive messages and content that they want to receive. When an organization<\/a> pushes for outbound marketing, it can be confusing and cause frustration. Ensuring that the entire organization knows the difference between inbound and outbound<\/a> strategies is essential. Deciding which strategy works best for the organization and getting complete buy-in from staff is vital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sales and marketing teams struggle to work together when they are siloed from each other. Sales teams are pressured to hit sales goals, while marketing teams are pressured to hit lead goals. Making sure there are consistent definitions around what constitutes a marketing qualified lead can help. Closed-loop marketing can help determine valuable lead sources and justify the value of leads. Creating a holistic approach to the sales and marketing process and reducing disputes about the quality and origin of leads can improve collaboration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unrealistic deadlines are met at the expense of quality and effectiveness. Content takes time to put together and needs to be developed according to the target buyer persona\u2019s interests. Considering the quality of content when assigning deadlines is crucial. If more content or campaigns are needed to get the results you want, consider an inbound marketing agency as an extension of your team. Assigning deadlines that allow for proper planning and execution while balancing the rest of the workload is essential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you try to catch everything – you’ll catch nothing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\"marketing\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I was at a management workshop years ago and the exercise we did changed the way I understood focus forever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The facilitator called for a volunteer and I was picked. I go to the front of the room and the facilitator said, I\u2019m going to throw these balls in the air and I want you to catch them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How many did I catch?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

None of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then he said, I\u2019m going to throw these balls into the air, and I want you to catch the red one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He threw the balls in the air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I caught the red one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s when I realized that overwhelm was having too many balls, ideas, projects, etc. that I was trying to work on at the same time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That doesn\u2019t work. Trying to juggle too many tasks at once can cause you to waste time and lose focus on what truly matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stay in the step you’re in — and marketing is all about steps<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\"climbing\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Side view of young businesswoman climbing stairs to success on concrete wall background. Leadership and career development concept<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One coach I worked with always says \u201cStay in the step you\u2019re in.\u201d I absolutely love this phrase and have adopted it for myself in all aspects of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every process has steps. And if you want to get the desired result, you have to complete each step, in order.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marketing is much the same way. The key to successful marketing is choosing before doing, just as in any other aspect of business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get ready to make choices and stick with them<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\"choices\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

No one tells you this. But the way these marketing millionaires got to where they are isn\u2019t just because they were naturally good at something. They got to where they are because they decided to make choices. They committed to the choices they made and rode them out through several selling cycles so that they could optimize and improve. In some cases, hiring a marketing specialist can help manage these choices and ensure they align with broader strategic goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is all about FOCUS! Making a choice to commit to something. Then choosing the actions you will take and then taking those actions, learning from the data, making improvements, and moving on to the next step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use and follow the marketing process to keep you focused<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\"marketing\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Marketing departments have a process. Follow it in order. Stay in the step you\u2019re in. Make choices before you go on to the next step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve talked about the marketing process<\/a> before, but today, you\u2019re going to see exactly where to focus so that you know when you can move on to the next step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Market Research – Focus on answers to these questions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\"make\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Young pensive businesswoman and ideas coming out of her head<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The purpose of market research to provide you data, information, and insight so that you can make go-no-go decisions.<\/strong> Like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n