Reading Challenge Update/My Views of Marketing Have Totally Changed

Reading challenge update: 25/35.

At the beginning of the year, I set a goal to reach 35 books. Now, my approach to goal-setting is much different, and my perspective has totally changed. But, I wanted to finish the challenge anyway as an act of character and display of consistency. Sadly, at things aren’t looking hopeful at this point. I'm still going to try my hardest until January 1st comes, but I don't think I'm going to make it.

But I also don’t think that’s completely bad. I want to stick to my word, but at the same time, I have bigger priorities. One of the phrases I heard in church that will stay with me forever is this: "Sometimes good distracts us from what is best".

Trying to reach my goal might be good (even if I no longer agree with that approach), but growth is best. Growth is the real goal. That's not an excuse, but it's proof that new year's resolutions aren't as powerful as habits.

However, I started a new book today called "The 1-Page Marketing Plan: Get New Customers, Make More Money, And Stand out From The Crowd".

I've only read the introduction, and it's already amazing. For someone without much experience in marketing, this book is completely transforming my views about marketing. Again, I've only read the introduction, but it's already re-shaping how I view marketing plans.

I don't want to give away too much, but I'll give you a quick example.

"Some people think marketing is advertising or branding or some other vague concept. While all these are associated with marketing, they are not one and the same."

Marketing is planning. I can't speak from personal experience, but I didn't realize I had the wrong understanding of what marketing is.

The book uses an analogy of a circus:

"If the circus is coming to town and you paint a sign saying 'Circus Coming to the Showground Saturday', that's advertising."

Simple enough.

"If you put the sign on the back of an elephant and walk it into town, that's promotion."

"If the elephant walks through the mayor's flower bed and the local newspaper writes a story about it, that's publicity."

(If you grew up watching "I Love Lucy", you probably have a good understanding of how publicity works.)

"And if you get the mayor to laugh about it, that's public relations."

"If the town's citizens go to the circus, you show them the many entertainment booths, explain how much fun they'll have spending money at the booths, answer their questions and, ultimately, they spend a lot at the circus, that's sales."

"And if you planned the whole thing, that's marketing."

Wait, what?

When I first read that I was a bit surprised. All of those fall under the category of "marketing", but I didn’t realize it's more than that. It's about strategy - not necessarily advertising, promoting, or selling individually. Each of those are aspects that play a role in the marketing strategy.

The rest of the book is going to explain what kind of strategy should be taken. I’m excited to read more, and see how I do!