Training, Not Trying: Discipline of Marketing

A few years back...

A friend of mine decided he wanted to do a triathlon.  Most days he got busy, but when he could remember, he would get out there and swim, bike or run. He watched many videos about swimming techniques but didn't actually swim much. Then the day of the triathlon came, and he said he had tried to prepare.  The event went way different than expected.  He barely made it out of the water, and halfway on the bike ride, event staff picked him up because he was taking too long and wouldn't make the cutoff time.  He didn't get the chance to finish.  What happened?

The problem was he tried, but he did not train.  

Marketing is the same way: it's not a game of trying and hoping for the best.

Marketing is training: discipline that requires goals, tracking, expertise and ongoing dedication. 

1. The Pitfall of "Trying": Trying can result in failure.  If you try, you don't know if you will succeed or fail, and there is a lack of commitment. 
2. Embracing the Training Journey: Training is an ongoing journey that involves a goal, time, energy and constant tracking and evaluation of what's working and what's not.  A failure is not an end-all, rather it's a stepping stone to adjust your plan to achieve your goal.
3. The Power of Practice: Ongoing practice is key to improvement. In marketing, this means implementing marketing campaigns, analyzing results and critically evaluating what works and what doesn't.
4. Embracing Growth: Training involves embracing a growth mindset.  How do you know you're growing or something is working if you don't track it?  As you track your marketing, you grow to achieve more impactful outcomes.

So, what if instead of trying, my friend had trained? What if he hired an experienced coach to create a plan, practiced regularly, tracked his journey, and made adjustments as needed along the way?  Well, I'm happy to tell you he learned his lesson and did just that! He hired a triathlon coach, put in the proper practice, and completed his next triathlon proudly!

Marketing is not a simple game of chance or trying.  It's a journey that requires ongoing training and dedication.  By approaching your marketing as a journey of growth, you can build a strong foundation, engage in consistent practice, refine your skills and achieve meaningful success that goes beyond mere attempts.