Last summer, I became a mom.
This new role has brought with it a sense of responsibility that I never knew existed and a depth of love that I never thought possible. With every sleepless night and the countless diaper changes and feedings, I've learned - whether I like it or not - to become more selfless, flexible, compassionate, and efficient. As it turns out, what makes a good mom can also make a good marketer.
Here are 5 ways that motherhood has made me better at marketing so far:
It’s heightened my ability to anticipate needs
As a mom, I'm constantly thinking about what my baby needs and how I can best provide for her. Whether it's changing a diaper, feeding her, or just giving her a cuddle, I'm always trying to anticipate the needs that’ll arise next. This is especially true now, while she doesn’t have the ability to express herself with words. As a marketer, this same mindset has helped me better anticipate and meet the needs of target audiences.
By thinking about pain points and contemplating the audiences’ desires, I'm able to create marketing campaigns that resonate with them and ultimately drive more sales. I'm also better at tailoring my messaging to different segments of my audience because I better understand that not everyone has the same priorities.
It’s expanded my patience
As a new mom, I've had to learn to be patient and go with the flow. This is very hard for me. When my baby is fussy or won't stop crying, I can't just give up and walk away. I have to stay calm, be patient, and try different things until I find a solution that works.
This same patience and empathy has translated to my marketing career as well. Instead of getting frustrated when a campaign isn't performing as well as I'd hoped, I take a step back into that practiced mode of acceptance and, from there, try to understand what's not working and why.
It’s elevated my creativity
Babies have a way of forcing you to be creative. As a mom, I've had to think outside the box to come up with new and innovative ways to entertain, soothe, and care for my child. This same mindset has translated to my job, where I've learned to approach challenges with a more creative and innovative perspective. Whether it's coming up with a unique campaign idea, finding new ways to engage with clients, or trying out new technologies and platforms, being a mom has encouraged me to get comfortable being uncomfortable and better at taking risks.
It’s emphasized my understanding of quality over quantity
At home with my daughter, I quickly learned that it's not the quantity of things that matters, but the quality of the time and experiences. This lesson has translated well to my marketing career, where I've realized that it's not about churning out as much content as possible, but rather creating high-quality, meaningful content that truly resonates with my audience.
In today's fast-paced world, consumers are bombarded with endless amounts of content and advertisements; it's easy for them to feel overwhelmed and tune out. That's why it's more important than ever for marketers to focus on quality over quantity, creating content that not only grabs attention but also provides real value to the consumer. By prioritizing quality, marketers can build stronger connections with their audience, earn their trust, and ultimately drive better results for their business.
It’s strengthened my ability to prioritize and pivot
Babies are unpredictable and, as a new mom, I've learned to prioritize and pivot quickly. This same skillset has been invaluable in my career, where I've learned to be flexible and adapt quickly to changing market conditions and client needs.
Whether it's shifting messaging to address a new trend, reallocating resources to focus on a high-priority campaign, or adjusting our tactics to better align with target audiences, being able to prioritize and pivot quickly has allowed me to stay agile and responsive.
Becoming a mother has impressed upon me that marketing that drives results needs a robust foundation. One that includes patience, diligence, flexibility, and creativity.
Are you ready to build your marketing strategy with a strong foundation? Drop us a line.