I remember the day I got “dropped off” at college.
I was driving a beat up, barely functioning, 1980 Ford Mustang complete with bald tires and the dimmest headlights known to man (#deathtrap) following my Dad in the car ahead.
Dad knew the way and as long as I followed him I’d be fine.
No GPS of course. And no map.
All was well until Dad waved at me and I misinterpreted it (for some reason) as a TURN NOW wave.
So I did.
I took a hard right and took off down a sketchy road somewhere south of Vancouver, British Columbia.
What followed was… unfun.
It was dark (and as I mentioned my headlights were nearly useless). Raining (and my windshield wipers were useless in a Pacific Northwest rainstorm). And I was lost (and scared).
I eventually found a gas station. Got directions. Got lost again. Found another gas station. Got more directions. Got lost again. Found another gas station. Got more directions. Then finally made it to college.
It was a “learning” experience…
And it all came pouring back when I read this post the other day by one of my heroes Seth Godin.
“Sometimes, when we’re lost, we refuse a map, even when offered.Because the map reminds us that we made a mistake. That we were wrong.
But without a map, we’re not just wrong, we’re also still lost.
A map doesn’t automatically get you home, but it will probably make you less lost.
(When dealing with the unknown, it’s difficult to admit that there might not be a map. In those cases, a compass is essential, a way to remind yourself of your true north…)
– Seth Godin (http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2017/10/the-thing-about-maps.html)
Sometimes in marketing things aren’t going to go your way.
Your ad may not get clicks. Your landing page may not convert. Your emails may not get responses.
The worst thing you can do is keep driving full speed into the darkness. The best thing you can do is find yourself a compass.
For that I have 2 suggestions:
- The Free One (A free Facebook community useful for those on a budget: https://www.facebook.com/groups/modernmarketingcommunity/)
- The Fast One (Marketing mentorship, useful for those who need help now. Interested? Hit reply and let’s talk.)
Takeaway lesson?
Sometimes stuff doesn’t work. When it doesn’t… it’s ok to ask for help.
