They say that Football is more than just a game. It’s a lesson in teamwork, discipline, perseverance, goal-setting, and even time management. But we can draw on even more lessons from America’s favorite past-time. Here are a few football lessons that relate to inbound marketing, so you can score a few more touchdowns with your 2019 strategy.
Sharpen field awareness
“First of all, players need to be aware of the immediate space around them. According to the position of the ball, their own teammates, and their opponents, where should they be? Should they be moving into a space to receive a pass? Should they be drawing defenders away from their teammate who has the ball to create open space for them?” —15 Key Skills to Achieve Success in Football
The same goes for marketing. It’s critical to be aware of the specific needs of your audience — along with what platforms they use and the best method for reaching them. In inbound marketing, this strategy is known as buyer persona(s), which cover customer demographics, behavior patterns, motivations, and goals. The more detailed you are, the better.
Don’t run with the ball until you’ve caught it
“How often have you heard a football commentator say, “He couldn’t hang onto the football because he started running with it before he had control”? One of the keys to being a successful receiver is that you need to be totally focused on catching the ball before you start running with it.” —10 Life Lessons That Football Can Teach You
Don’t spend money on people who don’t care about your business. Clean up your marketing efforts so you are only bringing in the people who will eventually make a score, or in other words, turn from a lead into a customer. For example, instead of blasting noise in all directions, use the inbound strategy to attract customers that genuinely want or need your product or service.
If at first you don’t succeed, try again
“Only one team can win the Super Bowl every year and that means everybody else has to deal with defeat. Do they quit? No, they figure out what went wrong, try to fix it, and try again the next year.” –11 Things You Learn from Football to Make Life Better
We couldn’t agree with this more, especially about figuring out went wrong. In marketing, you can A/B test your way to the goal line. There’s no more reliable way to improve web pages, emails, and ads than by trial and error. It can be used to test everything from website copy to sales emails to search ads. Eliminating the less-effective elements can position you for better results the next time around.
Find your competitive edge
“It’s hard for a football team to be successful if they have a one-dimensional attack. If your team has a great passing game but your running game is useless, it’s going to be very difficult for you to win consistently. If, on the other hand, you keep them on their toes by mixing things up, you give them more to think about.” —10 Life Lessons That Football Can Teach You
It’s nearly impossible for a business to stay ahead if they’re using an outdated marketing strategy. You need to create a competitive edge to stand out from the clutter and keep your audience interested. Be the first to try something new and make it “about something.” Also, don’t focus all of your efforts on social media when you can also be reaching across radio, email or even print.
Create raving fans
This one almost goes with-out saying. Create a strategy that is centered on customer loyalty, with marketing tactics designed to inspire a stranger to become a customer, and a customer to become a loyal fan. It’s not just about being different, it’s about providing so much value that your customers can’t help but tell others about it—with genuine enthusiasm and excitement.
