Because I spend my days preaching the gospel of inbound marketing, I feel that it would be hypocritical to not actually live by its ideals. For the most part, I already turn to Google the instant I start looking to purchase anything. Whether it’s a new hat or a plumber services, I do my research through the web and my personal networks.
The thing about shopping in this manner is that it really, really works. After I saw someone wearing a baseball cap with a Punisher logo, I wondered if there were other comic book inspired hats. A simple search engine query of “comic book baseball hat” landed me a number of results and prices.
When I needed a plumber or a landscaper, simply appending my city (Manchester, NH) to my searches returned to me a list of possible contractors. In both cases, I visited their sites at night, filled out a form, and converted myself into a lead, and turned into a client the next day.
So, it is my commitment to continue being a consumer/purchaser that rewards companies that embrace inbound marketing.
To this extent, I promise:
1. My list of possible vendors will initially be composed through search engine queries.
2. That I will reach out to my networks via social media, email, phone calls, and text to ask for suggestions or reviews of companies on my list.
3. To cross reference my list of vendors and my network’s review with any additional information available on line, such as user generated reviews, professional reviews, and independent blogs.
4. That I will leave accurate reviews, raves, and rants that will help other searchers in the future. I will do my best to temper any strong emotions, and not use social media simply as a means to strong-arm companies unnecessarily.
5. My activities of search & selection will be my preferred method of buying, but understand that smart marketers will sometimes grab my attention with traditional advertising using remarkable “push” content that may sway my final decision.
So, these 5 points shall be the basis of my Inbound Marketer’s Manifesto.
Any suggestions on how an inbound marketer should drink their own champagne?
{ 2 comments }
Love this! Just think if every business that you bought from in turn bought from you, the chain reaction that would occur. From a customer service perspective wouldn't that increase the like-ability and length of the relationship ten-fold?
It would be great! I understand when some companies are required to explore several options, but you should at least give a nod to the organizations where you already have a relationship.
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