marketing What Does ReadySetMIWI Mean?

ReadySetMIWI?!?! What does that even mean?

You might even get tired head while trying to figure it out. But you can't count those brain calories as being burned on your Apple watch, can you?

Before we jump in - say this out loud: Ready, Set, Mee-Wee

Now that we've covered how to say the name, continue reading...

When naming your company, you might hear suggestions like:

• Make your name simple
• Make it clear what you offer

"If you confuse, you lose," as Donald Miller says.

What are some other suggestions to follow when naming your business?

• Avoid hard-to-spell names
• Don't pick a name that could be limiting as your business grows
• Use a name that conveys some meaning

That's it. A name that conveys some meaning. Bingo!

Ready and Set are straight forward.

Think "Get Ready. Get Set."

Go is the obvious finish to that set of words.

But that's kind of the point.

Businesses often jump straight to the "ings" of marketing.

Think of these "ings" as activities or tactics.

• Write a marketing plan
• Build a website
• Post on social media
• Write a blog post
• Send an email
• Run an ad
• Create a campaign

You get the idea.

Rarely did the the "go" have a supporting foundation in a solid strategy.

These activities are often random acts of marketing.

The last thing you want to do in marketing is to:

• Throw spaghetti at the wall to see what sticks
• Chase shiny object tactics that someone else used
• Check a box
• Stick to status quo (Just Say No!)

That's where the MIWI acronym comes into play.

What are some reasons for a marketing activity?

That's easy, right?

• To get a desired response
• To achieve a business goal
• To generate revenue to create positive outcomes and impacts
• To move the business forward
• To pay your employees

And that desired response makes it, the time and resources invested in the activity, worth it.

MIWI is short for "Make It Worth It."

What does success look like for each person you serve?

• What does success look like for your employees?
• What does success look like for your business?
• What does success look like for your customer / client / donor / volunteer, etc.?
• What does success look like for your strategic partner?

To make your marketing efforts worth it, you need to:

1. Have clear business goals established
2. Develop a marketing strategy before you even think of the tactics
3. Understand and choose your ideal client
4. Solve their problems vs providing them your solutions
5. Craft the visual elements of your brand
6. Use content as the voice of your strategy
7. Guide your ideal customer / donor / volunteer through a journey via the Marketing Hourglass

You Need a Marketing System

Chasing the latest trending marketing tactics will only get you so far.

And that "so far" often ends in frustration.

Frustration from:

• Wasted money
• Wasted time
• Wasted resources
• Frustrated prospects

The Elements of a Marketing System

1. A website that builds trust
2. A content platform
3. Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
4. Social Media Engagement (SEM)
5. Reputation Management
6. Email Marketing
7. Pay-Per-Click Advertising (PPC)
8. An Online Community / Audience

The Outcomes from Using a Marketing System

• Happy Customers
• Happy Employees
• Happy Donors
• Happy Volunteers
• Happy Beneficiaries
• Happy Business Leaders (Like You)
• Healthier Families
• Healthier Communities
• A Stronger Economy
• ... and more!

Are you ready to make your marketing efforts worth it?

Before jumping into the "ings" of marketing, make sure you have a solid marketing strategy that helps you understand your market.

Your strategy will help you define the positive outcomes and impacts you can help generate for those you serve.

And it will help you have the clarity in a marketing plan built for success – success for your business and success for those you serve.

Need some help? How can ReadySetMIWI help?