Ads can do more than attract consumers – they can have valuable lessons too
Just like anything else, advertisements are subjective by nature. The advertisement that makes no sense to you might be perfect for the right audience. Just like with social media campaigns, entrepreneurs can learn a whole lot from advertisements as well. A 30-second commercial has the power to make a small business owner rethink his perspective on his target market, core principles, and so much more.
So the next time anyone gives you a hard time about not switching channels when the commercials come on, tell them that you're watching the advertisements to grow your business and boost your profits. After all, here are five things all entrepreneurs can learn from ads:
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Take a different approach
Are brands being absurd in their attempt to be funny and make their audience laugh? If all your competitors are trying too hard to trump each other at the same thing, it is best for you to leave them to their cat fight and take a whole different approach. As an entrepreneur, you'll be surprised to find out that when you take a novel route, you'll not only amaze and get the attention of your target market, but you'll also learn a whole lot about marketing in the process.
Connect with your customers
Marketers don't simply make an advertisement with the intention of shoving their product in their audience's face. They understand that an advertisement will be more effective if they are able to make their customers connect with the brand on a deeper level. The same goes for entrepreneurs as well. If you want your business to be a raging success, you should first attempt to build a base with your customers.
Always rely on your USP
Take any advertisement and you'll see that every brand harps on and highlights their Unique Selling Point (USP) more than anything else. As an entrepreneur who is trying to make his/her mark in the business world, you need to recognize and rely on your USP too. Do a little soul-searching and find out what you have to offer that nobody else has, and build your career on that.
Be timely
Advertisements are all about being timely. There's a reason why so many coffee ads occupy the morning slot and why alcohol brands choose to be aired during the evening when office-goers are wrapping their work up. As an entrepreneur, you not only need to be up-to-date about what's happening in your industry at all times, but you also need to able to recognize the right opportunity and seize it before anyone else.
Repeat what works
Take any famous advertisement and you'll see that its marketers reiterated and repeated their success formula till it was ingrained in everyone's psyche. As an entrepreneur, if a certain strategy or move works in your favour, don't be afraid to rehash and use it again to earn more brownie points on the same concept once again.
Just like so much else around you, advertisements too can be great teachers when it comes to imparting lessons on entrepreneurship. Observe them keenly to become a better entrepreneur and grow your business.
