3 Things Golf Has Taught Me About Internet Marketing

Golf and business go together like bread and butter. The gentlemen’s (and women’s) game is the perfect complement to the intense world of marketing - it’s relaxed, out in the fresh air, and just strategic enough to tickle a person’s brain.

It’s also the perfect way to let off some steam after work and pick up some valuable lessons along the way. Here’s what I learned about internet marketing from playing golf.

#1 - Use A Variety of Tools

The right golf clubs matter. You can’t play a round without them, but it’s also important that you have the right one for the situation. If you rocked up at the tee with only a putter, you’d quickly find your game going nowhere.

When it comes to internet marketing, you can’t stick to only one form of it. Just like you can putt your way to the green if you really have to, only doing one type of online marketing will probably yield results - but very slowly and frustratingly.

In order to see success, you should, at the very least, be:

• Producing website content (blog posts, videos, podcasts, etc)
• Sharing valuable stuff on social media.
• Using email marketing.
• Interacting with clients.

Takeaway: Don’t limit your chances by only sticking to one form of marketing.

#2 - Don’t Stop If You Miss the Mark

No golfer ever forfeited the entire hole because he hit a bad shot off the tee, or gave up after the fourth hole because they were having a bad day.

Your first marketing campaign may not be wildly successful. It could be a learning curve, and you may come up against sneaky winds, hidden bunkers, and sloping greens that roll your golf ball away from the goal.

But every shot brings you closer to the hole. Whether it takes three shots or nine shots, keep going. You’ll reach the goal, and each subsequent campaign will get easier.

Takeaway: Every step, no matter how small, is one closer to your goal.

#3 - Practice Makes… Better

If you don’t get a bit of practice in between rounds on the course, your handicap won’t improve. Consistency is the most important element here - you can’t play golf once every six months and expect to get better at it.

Marketing yourself or your business online takes constant, consistent work. You get out what you put it. Just like any sport, if you play sporadically, you can’t expect great results.

You’re not likely to see change overnight, but keeping at it is essential - whether your golfing or marketing.

Takeaway: Be consistent with your marketing efforts, and results will come.

Conclusion

Next time you’re on the course, take the opportunity to consider what business lessons you could be taking from your round of golf!

Internet marketing can be just as challenging, but if you do it right, use the right tools, and push through when things get tough, you’ll find that the results speak for themselves.