10 Things I Wish I Knew About Marketing When I Was A New Graduate
When you're a new graduate, everything is new and exciting. But it's also overwhelming and terrifying. Marketing is no exception.
4 years ago, I graduated as a qualified nutritionist. I knew very little about marketing, and even less about marketing my own business.
But over the years I learned, and grew, and now marketing practitioners is my jam.
So what do I wish I had known as a new graduate?
What things would have made the journey easier?
I came up with 10 lessons that I want to share with you, so you don't have to take the long way.
10 Marketing Tips I Would Give Myself As a New Graduate
You can build your audience before you graduate
This might not be as useful for a new graduate, but if you're a smart student, get started now!
It is true that you can't offer practitioner services outside of what your college states. So please obey whatever their code of conduct states!
But you can start to share general information that relates to your area of interest. You can start talking to people who are already working in that area.
In fact, I was building relationships with other practitioners as early as 2013 - the start of my second year. The first practitioner I connected with sent me clients as soon as I graduated. He is also now a marketing and content client himself!
A niche makes everything marketing-related easier
I've mentioned the need for a niche about a hundred times - here's a summary of my usual ramblings.
But niching isn't just great for figuring out your ideal clients. It makes it a lot easier to market to them. It also has the added benefit of repelling those that you don't want!
Remember - a niche doesn't have to be forever. So start with one, and see how it pans out.
You can DIY a lot of your marketing necessities, but investing is worthwhile in the long run
Proof that I wasn’t always gifted at copywriting or marketing!
This is something that I learned the hard way. I started out with a DIY website, flyers - you name it.
Once you know what you want your brand to look and feel like, please invest in an expert or two. A graphic designer, web designer and photographer are a few key ones to consider for a professional brand that feels good for you.
The same goes for your copy - if you're not naturally gifted with words, seek help. If you're on a budget, that might mean getting some help with DIYing your own or editing what you have drafted.
Want a simple and more affordable website that is still beautiful? My girl Shonelle over at Tech for Pracs offers a one-page website package. Head here to check it out.
Social media is helpful, but isn't the be-all and end-all
Don't get me wrong. I think social media is a great tool for marketing your business. I'd even go as far as saying that you need a Facebook page because most people will search for businesses through Facebook.
But you don't need to make it your sole marketing strategy. Nor do you need to master every form of social media or share on 10 different platforms every day to succeed.
You are your own brand from day 1
It seems weird, but it's true. Assuming that you are running your own small business, you are the face of your brand. The way that you dress, speak and interact online is showing people what to expect from you.
That doesn't mean that you need to freak out! But you might want to choose brand colours that are your favourite to wear, as an example. If you outsource any marketing, content or social media, you need to make sure that the other person understands your 'voice'.
Don't sell - offer
I often hear from practitioners that hate to sell their services. This is an easy fix with a switch of words - and a switch of mindset.
Selling implies that you are pushing your services on people who may not want them. But offering is sharing your services, and allowing people to take them up if they wish to.
So whenever you go to create a new service or write some promotional copy, switch into 'offer' mode.
Speak your ideal client's language
It's easy to slip into mumbo-jumbo, I mean, 'academic speak'. But your ideal clients will generally have no idea what you're on about.
As a practitioner, your job isn't to know everything - it's being able to personalise and translate the complex world of your modality.
So please - keep it simple. Keep your written content simple, your videos simple, and even the words you use with your prospective clients face to face.
Remember what is in it for them
To be completely honest, humans are kinda selfish. They don't want to book your services because they want you to have a nice income or support your family.
What do they want? For you to fix their problem (or perceived problem).
They want you to fix their energy levels. Their weight concerns. Their hormone fluctuations or their pain. Whatever it is that you help with.
Remember that often, what we know as their problem may not be the problem they see. So make sure you ask anyone who might be your ideal client what their main health concerns are.
You don't have to do what worked for other people
This goes for marketing strategies, niche, how you deliver your services... you name it.
Know someone who has seen massive success with $500 of Facebook ads every month? If that's out of reach for you, you can find other ways to market.
Have a friend who sold out countless online courses? Doesn't mean you should create an online course.But it also doesn't mean that you can't do those things - as per my next point.
Experimenting isn't just allowed - it's encouraged
You won't always get it right first go. Nor do you need to. The more you experiment, the more you learn about what your ideal clients respond to, and what they don't.
Even experienced people do this - I will often try a few different versions of copy for my new services to see what resonates the most.
Bonus tip: Marketing, like health, is a journey
Ahh, what a nice way to sum it up. We continue to learn, grow and evolve in our marketing and our business. So have faith in the long run!
If you're a new graduate who needs marketing support, I'm here to help.
Book a 1:1 marketing session here, and we can put together a plan to get you started.