The takeaways from the 2016 race to the White House are abundant. Each campaign holds a lesson or two or three for marketers and small businesses alike (see our previous posts on presidential candidates’ logos and speaking off-the-cuff). The latest, courtesy of former Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee’s performance during the first Democratic debate, reveals a common trait between the presidential hopeful and a small business without a commitment to marketing: Excuses!
Chafee’s excuses have become digital fodder – view them below and weep if Chafee’s your candidate.
https://twitter.com/EricGuster/status/654116610580549632
It’s not easy being a political candidate nor is it easy running a small business. You can ill-afford to sit on the fence with excuses for not marketing your product or service.
In an article featured on bplans.com, author Carolyn Higgins lists the top three excuses heard from small business owners.
“I don’t have the budget” I know times are tough; we’re all feeling it. But that’s no excuse for neglecting the long-term health of your company.
“It’s too expensive” There are so many free and almost free ways to promote your business that this excuse just doesn’t cut it anymore.
“I don’t have time” I get it, you have a lot going on; customers to tend to, phones to answer, bills to pay – I get it. But one question always comes to mind: Is this really what you envisioned when you started your business? Seriously – wouldn’t it be nice to pay someone else to do all that? My guess is your answer would be a very tired “yes.” Then you need to find the time. Isn’t your business worth investing in? Just like budgeting your money, you need to find a way to budget your time.
Read Top 3 Excuses for Not Marketing a Small Business on bplans.com.
In an article featured on allbusiness.com, author Mike Wood puts it this way:
Marketing is an activity that every business needs to engage in. The world is not full of people who can guess who you are or what you have to offer. As such, it is imperative that you get your message out in front of the right people. Failure to do marketing is a big factor in companies going out of business.
Spending money on marketing is just as important as spending money on inventory or any other item for your business.
I get many companies telling me they do not have time for marketing or that they cannot afford it—the two most common marketing excuses. These are excuses that can be overcome with a little bit of education on how to best market your product or service; after all, there’s no other way to grow your business unless you are able to develop an effective marketing campaign.
Read There Is No Excuse for Not Marketing on allbusiness.com.
Relying on the concept of “build it and they will come” won’t cut it. Marketing is a must. No excuses.
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Title Photo Credit: / Foter / CC BY-NC
Post update: On 10/23/15, Lincoln Chafee withdrew from the Democratic 2016 race.