Dear ,

Here’s to a very happy 2020 that brings you health,
happiness and love.

Greetings from a quiet, gray New York City where rain falls on drab streets. 

To end the decade, my husband and I chose to avoid the holiday season.

Instead we took a bucket list vacation to Taiwan, Vietnam and Cambodia (in case you missed the last newsletter!)

The natural beauty of Taroko Gorge National Park in Taiwan (Hat tip: Pam Didner), Hạ Long Bay in Vietnam, and Kulen Mountain Falls in Cambodia inspired us. And the 1,000s of photographs we snapped reflected our need to capture each moment and vista. 
 

The temples across these 3 countries underscored our human need to believe in a higher, spiritual power. In particular, I was struck by how the murals and decoration at Wat Phnom in Phnom Penh reminded me of St. Germain Des Prés in Paris that we visited last November. 

At Angkor Wat, I was amazed that the King’s wife persuaded him to peacefully accept both Buddhism and Hinduism. Further, the integration of these 2 religions in the ruins of this 12th century temple remains visible today as a lesson of peace. 

While traveling, I learned how truly universal we are as people, regardless of where we live and what we believe. 

More than the amazing sites we saw were the diverse people we met and talked to.
 

Before the new year creeps up on you, set aside some time to think!

Skip the devices—just you, paper and pen. 

I get that your work and personal schedules are overbooked. (Whose aren’t?)

But give yourself this special gift of an hour.

Close your eyes and take a breath. Do this until you feel relaxed (but don’t fall asleep!)

Now, write down the high points of 2019 as you rate them, not others or social media!

Include:

• Your work achievements, 
• Your personal accomplishments, and 
• Your family and community growth. 

Go one step further and explain what makes them important to you. Based on your feelings about these events, is there anyone that you should reach out to and thank for being in your life?

Then repeat this exercise for the low points of 2019. 

Ask yourself:

• What can I learn from these events or do better in the future?
• Is there anyone that I should reach out to and apologize for my behavior? and
• Is there anyone who helped you when things looked dark that you should thank?

As you go through this exercise, know that our memories play tricks on us. They tend to focus on the negative and forget the positive. 

By creating these lists, you give yourself a document that you can use to remember the best of 2019. 

What does this exercise have to do with marketing?

It reminds you that:
At its core, marketing is about people and how we’re connected. 

Even though, we’re about to start a new year and a new decade, remember: We can only live one day at a time. So we must be present in the present moment.

While we need plans for our lives and our marketing, know that life will continue to provide unexpected challenges and changes.

Actionable Marketing Tip:

• Create your 2020 marketing plan, if you haven’t done so yet. If you have, reassess it to ensure that it’s aligned with your post-holiday results. (Even though it’s too early to get final numbers!)

Plan your personal improvement for 2020! 

In my opinion, attending key marketing conferences is the best way to accomplish this.  

► Join me at Project Voice! I'll be at this must-attend event in Chattanooga.
Why? To get the latest on how to get found in a voice-first world.

 

► Attend Social Media Marketing World, either live or virtually. While I won’t be attending this fun and information packed event live, you should put this conference on your calendar if you use social media.

 

► Also, I am keynoting the Midwest Digital Marketing Conference in St. Louis (April 8th to 10th). This conference has a special place in my heart as it’s organized and run by my friend, Professor Perry Drake. Further, Agorapulse’s Mike Allton is part of the conference. (BTW—This reasonably priced conference was rated a Top 2019 Marketing Conference by Forbes!)

► Go to MAICON 2020. This is THE conference to attend to get up to speed on Marketing Artificial Intelligence. This event is on my must-attend list.

Use code:  ACTIONABLE100 to save $100 when you register.

 

If you’re running an event that you would like me to speak at, please let me know. (Just hit reply to reach me.)

Shout out to new readers – Welcome and thank you for joining our community.

I sincerely wish you and your family, friends and colleagues a time of joy. 

Happy New Year,
Heidi

 

PS: Do you have a friend or colleague who would benefit from reading the Actionable Marketing Guide newsletter? If so, please forward this email to them?

FEATURED ARTICLE: Voice Marketing Definition

Can your audience and prospects hear you?

With more than 1 in 4 Americans using voice-enabled devices, it's time to give your brand a voice.

 

FEATURED ARTICLE: 5 Reasons Why Your CMO Needs AI Now

Do you know why your CMO needs artificial intelligence NOW?

Because:
CMOs must show measurable financial results for the budget they invested! 

Wonder how AI relates to financial results?

I’m not surprised since the answer may not be obvious.

FEATURED ARTICLE: B2B Customers

Do you market to B2B customers?

If so, read and share this article with your colleagues.
It explains how the B2B purchase process has changed 

 

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The fine print:

• Unless noted otherwise, all photos are ©2019 by Heidi Cohen
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