Adrienne Zoble’s Marketing Myth #36: I know social marketing is important, but we simply don’t have the time to do it.

Adrienne Zoble's Marketing Myth #36:

I know social marketing is important,
but we simply don't have the time to do it.

Hello, :

This lament is becoming louder and more frequent among small and growing companies. Butting heads with staffs as lean as possible, social marketing has no choice but to take a back seat.

Think about this, though: it's usually not no time; and it's usually not no money. The issue is usually one of priority. When you don't know the benefits of purchasing goods or services or, in this case, spending time on social marketing, it's all too easy to say you don't have the time (money isn't an issue here; social marketing is free).

So let's establish a priority for participating in social marketing as one of the strategies in your Marketing Plan (You don't have a Marketing Plan? Well, that's another issue; you might wish to check out our 10-Minute Marketing Plan Program). I know: you can't spare the people to keep up with the postings, but consider these options.

Perhaps you could begin an intern program for a high school student.
Lots of young people are very familiar with the ins and outs of social marketing.

Another possibility is drawing upon a technology guru familiar with social marketing and establishing a part-time job. Once you begin to see some results from his or her work, you can increase the hours.

And there's a third alternative. People who are experts in social marketing are forming companies to offer their services on a fee basis for a few hours a week and are clear about what their services include.

Then, bring in your marketing consultant to help your hire understand the marketing activities and needs within your company, not to mention the overall marketing objectives and perspectives, and you just might have a winning combination.

Will you have to spend some time on social marketing? Of course. Your time, however, won't be spent at the computer but in communicating with your intern, part-timer or sub-contractor what your company is all about. You'll probably need a half-hour meeting per week to update this person on networking activities, new clients (if they may be revealed), company events, recent staff additions. The more information you provide, the more fodder your social marketing guru will have for postings and blogs.

See? It's relatively easy to join the millions who are staying in touch and doing business through social marketing. You just have to have the priority to figure out how to get it done, while getting yourself off the hook.

P.S. If you want the names of fantastic social marketing experts, just call me at 970/282-1150. We have some people here in Fort Collins, CO who are absolutely terrific; and this work can be accomplished from anywhere.

___________________________________

Visit Adrienne Zoble at www.azobleassoc.com. She has several e-books that you'll find invaluable for growing your business, including her latest, "Thriving in Difficult Times or Getting your Phone to Ring Again."

Her 15-month 2010 Schmoozing Calendar will be out next month, providing ideas for productive ways to build/maintain relationships and form alliances, so you can sell more in less time. We're taking orders now: $27.30 per cardstock, bound copies, including shipping; $16.95 per downloadable version.

Also out next month will be an updated version of Adrienne's popular "Do-able Marketing Plan" workbook. And, of course her "10-Minute Marketing Plan" Program is still her most popular learning tool.

Here's our special offer:

Purchase both the Schmoozing Calendar and the "Do-able Marketing Plan" workbook for a total of $83.00, and we'll pay for the shipping! That's a savings of $11.75!

Perhaps your organization or company is looking for a dynamic, tell-it-like-it-is speaker; or you need an article/column for your publication or newsletter.

Adrienne Zoble will help you sell more in less time, even in this
challenging economy.

___________________________________

Adrienne Zoble Associates, Inc.               azoble@azobleassoc.com
1060 Sailors Reef                                         www.azobleassoc.com
Fort Collins, Colorado 80525     970/282-1150

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