IT marketing is a tough world to be in. You have to deal with aggressive competition and fluctuating market trends every single day. You go up against dominating companies who are greater in number and in resources. It is much like the galaxy where Princess Leia Organa grew up in. She was one the leaders of the fledgling Rebel Alliance who was determined to undermine the Empire and its Death Star. Life was not easy for her. She was captured by Darth Vader, lost her home planet, enslaved by Jabba the Hutt, etc. But these things did not stop Leia from fighting for what she believed in and she broke the princess stereotype in the process.
MSPs can pick up a lot of marketing tips from Princess Leia. Facing large corporations and industry giants is a big challenge for any business but for someone like Leia, it would be possible.
Do not be afraid to ask for help
“Help me Obi-wan Kenobi, you’re my only hope.”
Leia maybe a confident and fearless leader but she is not afraid to ask for help. When your business is in a large and competitive market, you could feel overwhelmed by the marketing efforts of other companies. The key here is to know how to get the most power and take advantage of the cunning of your few but strong employees. Get also the help of other departments who can give their expert opinions in forming strategies and plans. Do your research and learn from the success and mistakes of industry leaders. Help is always available to those who seek it.
Do not underestimate your budget
“Aren’t you a little short for a storm trooper?”
Now, compared to your competitors, your budget for your IT marketing campaigns might be too small-scale to garner any sales at all. However, a big budget is not equal to success either. So, no matter how small your marketing budget is, it can be used in effective ways if you just your smarts. There are cheap and even free digital media platforms that you could use to expand your reach and touch base with your target market.
Think and act quickly
“Someone has to save our skins. Into the garbage chute, fly boy.”
Princess Leia and her rescuers had nowhere to go as they were in a cross-fire with storm troopers. She took the reins of her own rescue mission and told everyone to go into the garbage chute for escape. In marketing your IT business, you need to be a quick thinker like Leia. You need to use the resources you have to your advantage. Bigger MSP companies often cannot get personal with clients. They often rely on their big name and cheap prices to get customers. This is something that you can do. Hence, put time and effort into building rapport with a prospect in order to level the playing field and leverage partners.
Be hopeful
“Hope.”
At the end of Rogue One movie, Leia refers to the contents of the data procured by the Rogue One squad as ‘hope’. It is easy to lose hope when things are not going your way in the business world. That is one big mistake you should never commit in marketing. Keep the morale of your team up and be open to learning and change. Hope also entails the future plans for your MSP company. You should have a plan for growth beforehand. It should be in anticipation rather than trying to catch up with it.
Do not back down from the IT marketing competition though they may be greater in number and in resources. Princess Leia never did in her struggle against the Galactic Empire, and she continues to do this as a general in the Resistance. If you truly believe in your cause, in this case, your company, and have a strong team and plan by your side you will always stand a chance.
