Momism Marketing Rule 1: Don’t jump off the bridge.

There are thousands of books published on marketing strategies and theories, many of them extremely valuable (e.g., anything by Seth Godin). But I have discovered that some of the most basic marketing practices follow the advice that my mother — and just about anyone’s mom out there — has doled out to me. I’ve read some of the complicated terms and acronyms assigned to some simple principles, and now I want to offer up a set of my own.

Welcome to Momism Marketing.

Rule #1: “Don’t jump off the bridge just because everybody else is doing it.”

In fact, if everyone else is making the leap, aren’t you smarter to stay behind and stand out from the crowd? What do you gain by following mindlessly? You’re just one in a flock of sheep and, having lived in Vermont for 18 years, I can tell you that sheep are dumb.

I recently had a discussion with a client who was trying to determine where to place his print advertising. He told me that his competitor ran ads in a few publications and a slew of phone directories and he thought he should do the same. I asked him if he thought his competitor was a better businessperson than he.

His response was a resounding “NO!”

Is your competitor more successful? Does he get more customers and make more sales? Is he more innovative? Does he have his finger on the pulse of the industry?

To each question, he gave me the same response as the first one.

Then I asked him the Momism question: If your competitor jumped off a bridge, would you do it, too?

Had I tied on a June Cleaver apron, put one hand on my hip, and wagged my index finger at him, I don’t think my message could have been any clearer. Mom knows best.

So, before you mimic your competition, consider the value of their opinions and business sense. For all you know, they are frantically trying to stay afloat and just clinging to these decisions like a drowning person gasping for air. Weigh your choices against the return on your investment and how they match the pursuit of your goals. Think for yourself.

Now pull up a chair and have a chocolate chip cookie, still warm from the oven. But wash your hands first.

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2 Responsesto “Momism Marketing Rule 1: Don’t jump off the bridge.”

1. Corey Blake says:

   August 12, 2009 at 7:38 pm

   You are brilliant! Sue Publicover, Marketing Therapist, Marketing Mama.
2. Chair Tied says:

   December 30, 2009 at 9:54 am

   Sometimes (rarely) you come across a blog or site that is what it says it is, and this is one of those. I love your site and will be back for more. It’s bookmarked! Jennie Potts