Shutting up is such a great strategy (who'da thunk it?)

I've written a lot on listening. In fact, my number one piece of advice to any marketer, be it for online or offline efforts...whether focused on BtoB or BtoC audiences...in entertainment, electronics, energy or other industries...has been, and will always be, this shiny gem:

Listen to your markets, it's amazing what they'll teach you (if you let them).

You see, listening guards against our number one issue as marketers (that issue would be 'myopia'). And while we don't have a pill to cure myopia, processes dedicated to listening help very, very much.

Then came social media.

But that practice didn't go away.

Nope, it just became that much easier because it gave us the ability to create new listening processes--and it gave us the opportunity on a silver platter. For free. Yep, all of this rich information and insights actively (and freely!) circulating around us, all of it just waiting for smart marketers to do what they do best: turning market information into actionable marketing strategies.

After all, the true value proposition of social media for companies is that it gives them the ability to identify new markets, new opportunities, potential risks and needed improvements.

So, having penned about the practice of leading by listening several times now, I went one further-- and created a downloadable PDF on why listening processes are needed, what to listen for, and why. It's helpful for my prospects, clients and colleagues. And since I'm sharing it with them, I want to share it with you (it's accessible here).

Hey, thanks for listening to me...and most especially, for listening to them.

Comments

[David Reich]

Listening is KEY to so many aspects of life -- well beyond marketing or business. Listening... and trying to understand what the other person, be it a customer, friend, or adversary, is really thinking can do wonders. It can help win business. It can help you convince someone to see things your way. It can help get you a better deal... or a deal at all.

Too often, we hear but we aren't listening.

Good post, CK.

[Daan Jansonius]

I only scanned through it, but looks like there is some great advice in there.

I've saved it and will read it more carefully later on.

Good work!

[gianandrea]

to listen and to share: the mantra for the blogger.
thanks for the precious advice.

[Mario Vellandi]

Sure there may be an admired art of listening, but right NOW there's a straightforward process of participating or even simpler reading. Not understanding the SM scene and its positive, negative, and competitive effects...then subsequently discounting it is one thing. A little education combined with customized strategy and tactics is in order. An realistic objective may be in sight, but the magic is in the process.
Go get 'em tiger! Rowwwrrrr! ;)

[Alex -S-]

I too scanned through the PDF - there's a lot of information in there that i can pass on to "the powers that be" to back up what i've been saying for some time now.

Thanks for the great download, the great blog and the entertaining vidcats

A+ !