I’m sharing them because they are universal, and apply to any company; it doesn’t matter if your company sells real estate or potato chips or environmental consulting services.
1. Stop thinking about social media marketing as a separate thing and start thinking about all-inclusive marketing. Let’s get over it and get on with it.
2. Be comfortable with ambiguity: things are going to keep changing faster than we can keep up with. That’s ok.
3. Remember that tactics are not strategy. 2009 was all about discovering new tools. It’s great that your YouTube video got a million views, but how did that help you meet your objectives?
4. Realize that you must converse with your fans, customers, and anyone else who reaches out to you. It’s a two-way conversation now. Plan accordingly.
5. Stand for something bigger than what you are trying to sell. Have a passion. Preach it. Be bigger than yourself. Don’t build a brand; build a movement.
6. Collaborate with suppliers and clients and competitors and customers and anyone else who can help. Throw your doors open.
7. Do something to help. The Not-For-Profit sector has been decimated. They make our communities and lives better. We need to actively integrate support into our corporate game plans.
8. Be a sponge. Find time to read more. Subscribe to newsletters and RSS feeds and blogs. Set aside time every day to stay on top of everything you can.
9. Sell the truth. Ensure transparency and honesty and fairness is at the core of everything your brand says and does.
10. Stay healthy, personally and professionally. Get rid of habits and activities that don’t contribute to your brand or your own well-being.
Here’s a bonus resolution, just because I’m feeling generous. It’s a kind of uber-resolution that applies to the previous ten listed herein, and to pretty much everything else that you need to accomplish or want to accomplish in the coming year.
It’s this: Start Small and Start Now.
Happy 2010, everyone.
