You're swamped dealing with the hotel logistics, F&B specs, event inventory... oh, and you have to promote the event as well! Marketing is a difficult enough task when it's your only job, it may seem a bit overwhelming to brainstorm on a campaign amidst your already hectic schedule. However, there are some quick and easy ways to integrate brainstorming about marketing ideas into your workday by simply making some minor adjustments.
(1) Make the Most of Your Commute! According to findings by Consumer Reports , "The average American is exposed to 247 commercial messages each day." What does this mean? You almost can't avoid seeing advertisements. What else does this mean? You almost can't avoid seeing advertisements-precisely! Your marketing research time just got cut in half because ads are being brought to you constantly. Take a moment to focus on the ads that you see on your way to work. Then, make a mental note to reflect on them again during lunch. Without making a concerted effort, was there a particular ad that really "stuck" and you were able to recall hours later? Chances are they are doing something right, and there's a lesson to be learned there!
Bottom line, by simply taking notice of the ads around you on your, say, 40-minute commute, those are 40 well-invested minutes that help set your mind in "marketing mode", even before you get to your desk!
(2) Calendar Alert! Commit to reading just 10 minutes a day on marketing strategies. This could be as you sip your mid-morning coffee, or during that 10-minute "lull" between afternoon meetings. The key is to be consistent, maybe even going as far as setting a calendar alert on your computer as a reminder to set that time aside. Sign up for free newsletters from marketing sources, such as www.MarketingProfs.com, or set up Google alerts for the specific marketing topic you feel you need to learn more about. And since most newsletters are meant to be read in less than one minute, think of how much you'll accomplish in ten!
(3) File Your "FAVES"! Your boss has just asked you to re-design your email newsletter, and you have NO idea where to start. Well, you actually don't have to go very far to get inspired. Start by looking through your personal Inbox! If you have ever made an online purchase, chances are you have been subscribed to their newsletter. Which ones do you look forward to receiving again and again? Start a "FAVES" folder in your personal inbox of newsletters you receive that you find appealing. Think about why you didn't click "unsubscribe", and what motivated you to continue reading. Before you know it, you'll have racked up more "FAVES" than you realized, and more ideas by the minute!
Bottom line, while making time to brainstorm on a campaign does require investing time, it's not a completely insurmountable task. Whether it's looking out your car window or checking your Inbox, you don't have to go very far to get inspired. And when you start adding up the chunks of 10 minutes here and there, you'll have soon invested hours of planning, and have a boatload of ideas to draw from.
Molly A. Martinez, Ph.D.
Executive Director, Ticket Summit [www.ticketsummit.org]
|
