I’m finding that there’s a disconnect among people regarding marketing being equally as involved in on the ground and in the air type work. Most seem to think marketing ends where ground campaigns begin, but I beg to differ.
This idea stems from the concern that traditional marketing has been notorious for being a push medium. The ‘new’ marketing is all about pull – being an active participant in the trenches with your consumer/client. Social marketing has always been about this: understanding your target market and finding a creative way to change their behavior (or solve their problem). Funny how traditional marketing is just now beginning to play the game this way. To them I say, welcome to the team.
For those non profits who think marketing is not for them think about how you do your outreach. You have a problem to solve whether its getting parents to show up for a parent night or finding out how to reach your rural populations. These are problems that social marketers can help you solve – and better yet, show you how to find out the solution so that you may do so on your own in the future.
Excellent article! Just in time to introduce traditional marketers to the new social marketing world.
People should read this.