I don’t want to be a product of my environment; I want my environment to be a product of me.
I’m finding it hard to believe we’re already ¼ of the way through the year. Yet here we are. But you know what? It was a productive first quarter, I:
- Made twice-baked potatoes.
- Watched The Departed. My favorite movie of all time, which also happens to be – objectively – one of the best ever made.
- Went to the Henry Doorly Zoo. Also, objectively, one of the best.
- Bought a robot vacuum.
- Got rid of live TV at home.
- Hit a new squat PR at 365lbs 3RM. 3RM because 1RM is for competitive lifters or wieners. Going for 400lbs in Q2.
- Played more board games with my oldest son than I think I’ve played in my previous 31 years on this planet. Honestly? Loving every minute of it even if the rules I thought I understood are (apparently) never right.
Huh. None of that’s work-related is it? And that was one hell of a non-sequitur. Just kidding. Well, not really. I did do all those things and that was a hell of a non-sequitur, but those aren’t the only things we did. Now, on to the non-non-sequitur which I think just makes it a sequitor……
Remember how we created a new mould for membership-based Jet Card programs with our “country club of the skies” approach in Q4 2023? Well, we really turned up the marketing for it this quarter and things were/are going well. So, of course, it was subsequently, unceremoniously, and immediately mimicked by a competitor. My feelings are nothing short of conflicted as mimicry is validating and irritates the shit out of me simultaneously. Unfortunately (or fortunately?), I don’t need the validation, so it just leaves me irritated. You know who you are and I want you to know I see it.
In a similar vein, we continue to break the mould with our outbound efforts. I’ve long been a big believer that good marketing and relationship building is all about “time in” and “timing”. You gotta get the reps in to be in front of the right people at the right time because – if you’re addressing the right market – being top of mind is being top of wallet. But most operators are sssuuuuuppeerr boring with their marketing, don’t do much (if any) true outbound, and drown you in what advertising they do. We’re not boring and I have no problem casually letting emails rip like it’s my job. So, we do. We let ‘em rip and with a little attitude. You know why? Because it is my job and I’m the guy who does his job.
All this to say, we’re 40% of the way to our budgeted goals in sales and marketing as Q1 draws to a close. Not a bad Q1 but I want to have a great Q2. So, if you’ve gotten outreach for those copycat nerd’s membership-based program that wants to walk, talk, and (tries to) act like mine but isn’t, forward it to me and I’ll give you half off the initiation fee for the program that inspired it.
Hell, if you already work with another provider or have that specific marketing, I’ll waive the initiation fee entirely.
Adieu,
Mark
| mrodgers@silverhawkaviation.com |