Absolutely Terrifying Marketing

Growing up in the backwoods of Missouri, I was taught from a young age to never show fear, especially in the presence of animals. So I learned to conceal my fear, as best as I could to survive, both in the woods and around people. However, I still was filled with fear during certain activities. Although I loved to climb trees and jump of cliffs, I was scared of heights, and would sometimes get the ‘shaky leg’! I also would get petrified before going on roller coasters, but yet I did it anyway! Public speaking is another nemesis of mine, which is not great when you are in the public relations and marketing field. So I have had to learn to put on my big boy pants and go out and just do it (I can throw in more motivational cliches if you like 😉 ).

The Manta is terrifying, but fun!

Overcoming our Fears

What gives me courage is knowledge that  many of the most successful athletes, actors, business men and women, and other leaders we look up to confess that they have had to, or still do, deal with their own personal fears.  Being scared or terrified is nothing unique or even a negative personality trait. It is simply how we deal with circumstances we are either unfamiliar with, or have not prepared for well enough.  Although scared of heights, I went parasailing a couple years ago, and had a blast!

Bradley G. Tayloe

Even after 15 years of being in sales and marketing, I still get nervous in front of crowds, especially when I have not done it for awhile. So I have joined a couple of networking groups here in Sarasota to not only discuss the services my marketing company offers, but to help me become more comfortable speaking in front of others.

One of my first mentors, Mr. Bill Gouldd, taught me: “Fake it till you make it!” At first I thought, as did some others in the organization, that “Faking it till you make it” meant buying expensive clothes, cars, homes, toys, and pretending as if you had reached a certain level of success so others would think “wow, they did it and so can I”.  I understand now that what he was teaching us is that “Fake it till you make it” means to ‘fake’ the attitude of success, that one should have a 110% FAITH that you will be successful in what it is you are pursuing. Confidence breeds success, and success breeds more success.

Terrifying Marketing

Yes, that is my wife and I way up there 🙂 Beautiful view of the Gulf and storm clouds!

Developing marketing strategies and using new marketing tools can also be as downright terrifying as flying several hundred feet above the Gulf of Mexico! We get comfortable in using familiar techniques that have let us have a certain amount of success, and then focus on other areas of our business. With new social networking sites, Internet marketing, video production, email marketing, ever changing search engine optimization (SEO) standards, and countless other changes with what is the best way to market your business, it is overwhelming for many small business owners and non-profit organizations to have a complete understanding of current best marketing practices. These constant marketing changes also make it more of a challenge to put a comprehensive marketing strategy together.  As we have mentioned in other blogs, using a consultant is a great way to gain knowledge and put forth a plan of action to better serve not just your business, but your customers and prospects as well.  Knowledge is power, and being filled with knowledge can help us overcome our fears.

If you have concerns about how to best market your company, make the right decision and contact a marketing consultant today. We are happy to offer a free consultation at Tayloe Marketing and Consulting:

Click Here for Free Consultation!