I often receive requests from clients saying something to the effect of, “So-and-so told me I should be (blank) so can you please change (blank) for me right away.”
Or “I watched a free webinar and they said to (blank) so I want that done, too.”
Typically, this “advice” is nothing more than nonsense, spewed by someone who does not factor in all of the different nuances each brand has, or it’s some sort of sales pitch for something my client really doesn’t need.
Over the years, I’ve seen this time and time again, and it’s still just as disheartening as it was when I started in this industry.
To be fair, knowing where to find the best business and marketing advice can be tough, and I’d be lying if I said I’d never been duped by this sort of thing.
But if you haven’t learned this lesson the hard way, as I have, then you can be easily fooled, and if it’s something related to your business, you can’t afford to let that happen.
Having dealt with this type of rabbit hole myself, I want to prevent you from having the same experience by offering advice on how you can ensure you’re getting the best business and marketing advice out there.
So, if you’re wondering how to find reliable business experts, and want to have peace of mind knowing you’re getting the best business marketing advice, then this article is for you.
Read: What ChatGPT Can Do to Benefit Your Business
Finding business tips and marketing advice that are both accurate and relevant to your business can feel like an impossible task.
But instead of trying to sift through all of this stuff yourself, you can enlist the help of AI language models, like ChatGPT, to do a lot of the heavy lifting for you.
With that in mind, this article explains what ChatGPT is, and explores several of the ways it can benefit your business.
How to Find the Best Business and Marketing Advice
If you’re looking for the best business and marketing advice, you probably want to make it big in your industry.
And if you don’t have much experience, you’re not going to have all the knowledge that’s required to build and market a business, and inevitably, you’re going to seek guidance.
But you’ve got to be careful about what you believe, and who you’re taking advice from, and this is especially true when it comes to anything related to your business.
With that in mind, here’s what you need to know to ensure you’re getting the best business and marketing advice:
Define Your Goals and Needs
You should begin by clearly defining your business goals and the specific areas where you need guidance.
This clarity will not only help you articulate your needs but also enable you to assess the advice you’re getting, or the people giving that advice, based on their expertise in those particular areas.
Whatever you do, make sure to prioritize advice from those who have a good reputation, a proven track record, and who specialize in the challenges you’re currently facing.
Check Credentials
In the worlds of marketing and business consulting, there are far too many “gurus” who’ve read a few books or done some research online, and then think they’re educated enough to be advising people on how to run their businesses.
At the same time, some are complete scam artists who may have only done enough research to sound like they know what they’re talking about to those who don’t.
Still, others are well-intentioned individuals who’ve been misled themselves and are genuinely unaware that they’re giving incorrect advice, as they don’t know what they don’t know.
In any case, if you want to determine the value and accuracy of the advice someone is giving, it’s important to check their credentials and evaluate their background thoroughly.
You can do this by examining their professional experience, past successes, reputation, and any certifications or memberships in relevant industry organizations.
You may also want to take some time to look at testimonials and reviews from previous clients who can provide insights into whether or not this is a person you should be taking advice from.
Seek Diverse Perspectives
If you’re searching for the best business and marketing advice, you shouldn’t shy away from contrasting opinions.
Instead, you should seek an array of different viewpoints so you can gain greater perspective and make up your own mind about what’s going to be best for your business.
Getting information from multiple sources will allow you to avoid confusing someone’s opinion for good advice, and it will help you learn about a variety of different approaches, so you can understand these things for yourself.
Assess Communication Skills
If you’re seeking advice from a mentor or brand consultant, effective communication is key.
So, before agreeing to work with anyone in this capacity, you should assess their communication skills; otherwise, you could be in for a rough ride.
That being said, before you continue to work with someone, you should make sure they communicate clearly and effectively, taking the time to ensure you understand their recommendations fully.
What’s more, they should always listen attentively to your concerns and tailor their advice to address your specific needs.
Evaluate Their Ethics
When you’re taking business or marketing advice from someone, their ethics (or lack thereof) should be one of the main things you consider.
Because if you want the best business marketing advice, that advice should be coming from someone who adheres to ethical guidelines and demonstrates integrity in their recommendations and actions.
With that in mind, if you’re looking for guidance from someone, you should make sure to look into their reputation, and if you find out that they’ve done anything questionable, you should probably avoid taking their advice.
Review Their Knowledge
If you want to make sure you’re getting sound marketing advice and business tips, the person who’s guiding you should have deep knowledge of your industry and stay up to date on emerging trends and best practices.
So, before taking someone’s advice on business or marketing, don’t forget to assess their familiarity with your industry, including things like relevant laws and regulations.
One of the best ways to do this is by reading articles they’ve published, particularly those in relevant industry publications.
Consider Cost vs. Value
Before buying into things like conferences, webinars, and weekend-long workshops, or deciding to work with a consultant, you’ve got to make sure that the advice that’s being offered is actually worth the price, both in terms of your time and money.
A lot of conferences or workshops, for instance, will charge you a nominal amount for admission, but you’ll get what you pay for, as they typically provide very little in return.
Many webinars, on the other hand, tend to be free, but they often run for an hour or more, and they may or may not provide anything of value, often being nothing more than a glorified sales pitch for their paid program.
That being said, while cost is a factor, you should prioritize the potential return on investment that the advice being provided can generate, and assess how that guidance can contribute to improvements in cost savings, revenue growth, or operational efficiency within your business.
Go With Your Gut
No matter what event you’re thinking about attending, or what guidance you’re thinking about taking, if something feels off or too good to be true, you should conduct further research because it probably is.
I can’t tell you how many times I changed my mind about something like this because it felt a bit off, only to be grateful I followed my instincts later on.
Having said that, if you’re working with a consultant, for example, compatibility is also incredibly important, as they should be someone you feel comfortable working with who respects your vision for your business and whom you trust to act in your best interests.
Do Your Own Research
No matter who’s giving you advice, or what sort of advice you’re looking for, ultimately, if you want to protect yourself and your business, you’re going to have to do your own research.
It doesn’t matter if it’s a friend, family member, co-worker, or someone who makes their living as a business consultant, if they’re advising you on how to run your business, you really should do your due diligence by looking into what they’re saying with a deeply discerning eye.
Otherwise, you could end up doing things that may not be in your best interests or the best interests of your business.
Are you still searching for the best business and marketing advice? Why not set up a free 30-minute consultation with me to find out how we can help?
To your business success,
Susan Friesen
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About the Author, Susan Friesen
Located in the lower mainland of B.C., Susan Friesen is a visionary brand strategist, entrepreneur, and founder of British Columbia’s premiere boutique web development and digital marketing agency, eVision Media.
With over 20 years of experience in the industry, she is an expert in helping businesses establish their online presence and create a strong brand identity.
Her passion for empowering entrepreneurs and small business owners to succeed in the digital world has earned her a reputation as a leading authority in the branding and marketing industry.
Visit www.BrandIdentitySteps.com and download your FREE guide: "Unlocking Customer Trust and Business Growth: Your 7-Step Guide to Defining a Compelling Brand Identity that Appeals to Your Perfect Clients".
