Resolution #3: Enjoy Life

This past year was a doozy.  The reduced income, unemployment, foreclosures, bankrupcy, and other economic maladies affected a lot of people.  Stress levels went up, and many people spent the year worrying if they were going to make it.

If 2009 has taught us anything, it should be that life is too short to worry about temporary setbacks, and that we should focus on the things that make us happy.  Of course, we need to work hard and be smart, but things will turn around as they always do.

When it comes to marketing, building a brand, and running a business, I think this lesson is especially important.  At its best, marketing should be fun.  It’s all about trying new things, building relationships, and helping people.  What could be better than that?  The more you look at marketing as a fun, creative endeavor, the more successful you’ll be.

Resolution #2: Get Organized

Perhaps it’s no coincidence that on the heels of the chaotic Christmas season, people want to get organized.  They’ve acquired a lot of stuff in the last 12 months, and they want to purge what they don’t need, and organize what they keep.

Is your marketing disorganized?  Does it have a lot of pieces and parts that might be duplicating efforts?  Do some literature pieces have a different look and feel than others?

If you answered yes to any of those questions, it’s probably time to organize your brand.  Start by stripping it down to its essence.  What makes you different or better than your competition?  Why should your customers care?  How do you need to reach your customers?  With those questions answered, you can start to see what your marketing needs are, and which pieces you should toss, which pieces you should keep, and how you should organize them so they are all working together.

Like organizing your closet, it’s an arduous process.  But at the end of it, you’ll have a lean, effective, strategic marketing plan that represents your brand well.

So here is the first of three ideas:

Resolution #1: Quit Bad Habits

Aside from losing weight, quitting smoking, drinking or other nasty habits is the most common New Year’s Resolution.  We all want to leave behind those things we do that may be doing us harm.

The same goes for your branding.  There are probably several marketing “habits” that you have that are harming your brand.  Maybe even killing it.  Perhaps you’re using a tired, old ad campaign from the 90s, or advertising in the same magazine or on the same radio station you have beeen for years.  Or maybe your Web site is hopelessly outdated.

This is the time to take stock of your marketing efforts and be honest with yourself about what is working and what isn’t.  And if it isn’t working, then it’s time to quit.  Cold turkey.