How do you slice up your “Marketing Pie”

What is this marketing pie and can I eat it?

The “marketing pie” is a term used by business coaches the world over to describe the elements of your marketing strategy. “Slices” of the pie include Content Marketing (like blogging), email newsletters, media, online advertising, social media, YouTube videos, webinars, print advertising, networking events, groups and even more old school mediums like TV and radio commercials, billboards, and bench ads.

It’s considered foolish to focus on a single slice because your clients don’t just watch YouTube or only read printed materials. There are hundreds of coaches and programs dedicated to helping you dissect the pie and apply it to your business.

What does my own pie look like?

You might be thinking that you don’t really have a lot of marketing going on but most people will find 6-10 marketing activities that they’re doing right now. Your segments don’t have to be elaborate and can range from simple to complex. A free ebook download can go on your pie just as easily as a workshop or event.

The marketing pie doesn’t include programs and products but might include free offers that lead to sales. Understanding what marketing you’re doing now is an important first step because you’ll want to know if a) it’s working and b) if you need to do more or different marketing.

Should my pie change or is it good?

Some people will try to convince you that you need to do all the marketing, but for most of us that’s just not realistic. For one, it takes a lot of attention to make sure that things are done well. Also, when you’re using the right mix of marketing something great happens: you get more clients. And those clients need to be served.

Here’s the thing, consistency is more important than being in all places at all times.

As you look at your marketing pie consider if you’re getting results from each segment. If Twitter isn’t bringing you clients or leads, then stop spending so much time there or develop a new strategy.

Which brings me to an important question, are you so busy “doing marketing” that you have no idea what marketing is working? Tracking the effectiveness sounds boring until you understand that it’s going to save you a lot of wasted time, energy and money.

Quick Question: Would you pay me $1000 to bring you new clients if you’d already paid me $2000 and I had brought you none? I’m guessing no… but that’s exactly what businesses with underperforming ads do every month. Would you go to the local grocery store three times a day looking for fresh squeezed orange juice only to find apple juice and milk and then return three more times tomorrow? No? Then why are you updating your Facebook page so frequently when there are no clients hanging out there?

When you look at your marketing pie and consider how you’re investing your time, it helps to have all the facts.

(This is one area we manage with our clients, so they understand where their leads are coming from!)

Action Step: Download this file to complete your own marketing pie and take some time in the week ahead to assess if this marketing is working the way you want.