Help Your Marketer Help You

I sometimes wonder if I’m speaking in gibberish when I’m communicating with clients. Here’s the reality. Most times, I have to ask a lot of questions, and ask for a lot of things. Colors, Fonts, Logos. I need a logo with a clear background.

Then I start asking gnarly questions- like getting into almost every marketing account you have- You know, so our team can connect stuff. And I may need bits and pieces of copy that you were hoping that my team and I would “magically conjur” — hint- we usually have to get it from you- or you have to pay the $ to have it written- it’s not free.

We can’t magically conjur all of the info about your brand, unless you work with us to get it.

If we are designing a website, an ad campaign, or a funnel, we need a LOT of info, and it’s a whole thing. It is a partnership, because we need access to what may seem like your entire life, and we need insight into how your brain works.

We also can’t work with unspoken assumptions. Don’t just assume that we are going to do things, and automagically figure them out.

We are humans.

Please, read your proposals carefully. Don’t assume that things are included that are not mentioned. Assume that if something is not specifically included- that it is not included.

Ask a lot of questions. Seriously. If we don’t ask you- WE might be the ones making ASSumptions, and you know what happens when you assume. We might THINK we comprehend, which is why we create rough drafts.

Sometimes we get it right, because we comprehended and were able to execute exactly what you wanted, but sometimes, I’ll be honest, we are WAY off the mark.

The thing about being human is that we use language to communicate, and it does not really translate well to graphic, or video representation of that language. Sometimes, we interpret it correctly. Most times. Until we don’t.

So, focus on reading, communicating, and over-communicating. Make sure that we totally understand exactly what you want, and how you want it. Please know that we 100% have the best of intentions, and are 100% human, living human lives. We WANT to get it right for you. Help us to help you. Tell us exactly what you want, and how you want it. Make it so that we can be very successful as a team.

Want to guarantee that this won’t work? Don’t give us the info we request, take forever to do everything, and drag your heels. For a website that can extend the time it takes from a couple of weeks out to a year or more. That’s my own private version of hell.

And lastly, be kind. We aren’t mind-readers. We are humans. We are trying our best, and want to please you. We are experts at what we do, so when we say something about your idea not working, maybe, just maybe listen. WHo knows, we might be right.

Help us to help you, and it will be amazing. Throw us stuff and dont’ help out? And it’ll be a hot mess.