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What Marketing and Running Have in Common

Guest post by: Jessica Swanson

Article Overview: Insights into the importance of marketing for your small business success.

What Marketing and Running Have in Common

Many of you might not know this about me, but I love running. Now, I’m not a marathon runner – not even close. I’m just one of those people who love to run because it makes me feel good and it’s the perfect antidote for sitting at my computer for eight straight hours a day.

As I was running yesterday, I had a sudden epiphany.

Marketing and running have a lot in common. Actually, learning the art of marketing and learning how to run have a lot in common. Here’s what I mean:

1. At first it’s hard.

I picked up running at the age of 41 - after I’d gained those few extra pounds. I knew absolutely nothing about running. In fact, I hadn’t ever really exercised my entire life.

On my first run I ran one block, and hated every single minute of it.

Honestly, I’m not even sure why I ran the next day; but, somehow I put on my running shoes and ran two blocks the following day. To make matters even worse, somewhere in that first week I pushed myself too hard and actually threw up all over my front lawn. Fun times.

Marketing is not that different. It’s a brand new skill; something that you’ve never done before. I distinctly remember the very first time that I was trying to figure out how to upload my Wordpress blog through my Filezilla account. It was hard, discouraging and frustrating. And yes, many times it actually made me feel like throwing up.

2. It gets easier.

Obviously, if I had continued to huff and puff on every run, I would have given up within two weeks’ time. But, magically, my body adapted and it got easier. I found my stride and actually started to enjoy myself.

And, marketing got easier as well. I figured out how to set up my blog; I learned how to market on Facebook and Twitter; I discovered how to write a sales page in thirty minutes flat.

It’s funny now to look back and see where I started out – both in running and marketing.

3. Practice makes perfect.

Obviously, I hate an overused cliché as much as the next person. But, it’s true that “practice makes perfect” in both running and marketing.

I try to run every other day, rain or shine. (I’m not so crazy about the snow.)

I’m even more disciplined when it comes to marketing. For the past five years, I’ve engaged in some form of marketing every single day.

I’ve come a long, long way in the past five years and it’s mostly due to the fact that I “practice my craft” day in and day out – rain or shine.

4. It’s all about results.

Running brings me real, tangible results. I feel better; I sleep better; I keep those extra pounds at bay.

And yes, marketing brings me genuine results as well. My small business gets more exposure; I generate more leads; I make more sales.

But, the results only happen if I keep practicing. It’s all about consistency, determination and tenacity. That’s the magic formula.

5. The underlying fuel.

Running is energy for my body. It brings me the strength and momentum to get through another day.

Marketing is the energy and power behind my small business. It pushes my business into the spotlight where my prospects can find out about the solutions that I have to offer.

Now, even if you don’t like to run, you need to understand that marketing is one of the most important aspects of your overall small business success.

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Article Tags: Jessica Swanson, shoestring marketing, small business marketing



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