Lessons From My Dad
Me and my amazing Dad!
That’s me and my Dad.
He died a few weeks ago and I’ve been in Scotland with family.
Although he was a retired surgeon, he was fascinated by business and how technology was changing everything. He read the newsletter every week and I would often get the odd inquiring reply or word of encouragement.
To publish or not to publish
I haven’t published for three weeks because frankly, I didn’t feel like writing. I’m sure there’s some social media guru out there who would tell me that this was a mistake, that the only way to retain readership and clients is to publish regularly, to keep them conditioned, Pavlovian style.
Of course, the answer to publishing when you don’t feel like writing is to either recycle something old or to end up half-assing it and producing something that is less than great.
There is something deeply wrong to me about that.
Be Honorable
One word stood out when people talked about my dad - Honor.
One of the lessons I take from him is that if we’re going to be honorable in our lives and honorable in our businesses, then let’s be honorable in our marketing. Let’s not pretend to be something we’re not or present ourselves as bigger than we actually are. Let’s not dress up our language in hyperbole and superlatives in the hope we’ll trick someone into buying from us.
The maturation of social media means that the truth about your business practices will come out - eventually. If there’s a discrepancy between what you offer and what you deliver it’s going to hurt you in the long run.
Be Professional
This is not to say you have to be too honest!!! Remember that all of this digital marketing is about growing your business, selling product and winning clients - when people come into contact with your marketing content it should be a positive experience for them.
What I am saying is - if you don’t feel like publishing today because you don’t have it in you to produce something great, then that’s OK, your readership will appreciate your respect for their time.
Written while listening to: These things Shall Be by music2work2