“Whoa! BANG!! Good shot!”
image credit: YoTut
There is nothing quite like bird hunting.
I’ve always enjoyed a good walk through the woods of Wisconsin on a cool autumn afternoon with my twelve gauge waiting to come upon a nervous ruffed grouse.
And while I’ve never been pheasant hunting in South Dakota I’ve heard my Dad and Uncle tell me stories from their many trips out to the prairies of South Dakota to share some laughs, beers, and a good walk through a prime field of birds.
My Uncle Jim always talked passionately about his memories of heading out West (for us in Wisconsin) with a couple good buddies for a week of fun and good times hunting for pheasants.
The passion so many hunters like you and I have for the sport we love parallels the passion successful businesses have for online marketing in today’s world.
Lots of hunting businesses are finding success in the online world by following some of the same offline strategies and passions they already have mastered.
Let’s take a look at how the passions of pheasant hunting and online marketing are similar…
Preparation
There are varying levels of success you can have with pheasant hunting depending on your preparation and dedication to the sport.
If you’re like me, you can take your shotgun out of the case for the first time in months, grab a few shells and head to the field.
This strategy is more about enjoyment and getting birds is usually a bonus.
This strategy works the same with online marketing – if you approach online marketing like a weekend bird hunter then you can expect similar results to my bird hunting experiences (some good stories, some good fun, and a few, but not many success stories).
It’s an old cliché, but there is a reason clichés occur…they hold some truth.
And when it comes to pheasant hunting and online marketing, it takes some preparation and dedication to understanding the various aspects of the task.
Pheasant hunting is fun and rewarding if you find enjoyment in the company of friends, the outdoors, and some exercise, but truly fulfilling satisfaction comes from conversion.
Think about your level of aspiration for your hunting business and plan to put forth the same level of effort into your online marketing efforts.
You’ll be rewarded with connections and conversions for your hunting business much the same as you will in the fields you walk each year.
Connections
Part of the fun and enjoyment from pheasant hunting is spending time with your buddies (human and K-9).
It’s always fun to get together with good company, jump in the trucks with a few good dogs and head to the field for a day of driving covered fields in hopes of kicking up some roosters. Sometimes the best part of the hunt is the laughter, shared stories, and memories created through the connections and interactions with people who share the same worldviews and interests.
Online marketing has the same characteristics of a good pheasant hunting trip with friends.
When you set out to market your hunting business online it’s best to take the view of making connections that are mutually valuable to those you encounter as well as yourself.
There are a lot of tools available on the Web that makes it easier to connect with hunters and many other great folks.
Social Media sites like Twitter, Facebook or hunting forums, blogs, etc. are all places where hunters congregate on the Web to share information, strategies, and ideas.
The biggest opportunity the Web presents for a hunting business owner is the endless amount of valuable interaction available.
You can connect with hunters (potential customers), other hunting business owners, non-hunting business owners, marketers, and other folks who are looking for valuable connection and interaction just as you are.
The best mindset to have when strategizing for your online marketing initiatives is to remember that mutually beneficial connections and interactions are the most important thing to focus on.
Just as pheasant hunting is about enjoying a pastime with friends and making memories that lead to a fulfilling life, online marketing is about connections and interactions that lead to new client avenues, valuable information and strengthened businesses.
Adjusting to Changing Conditions
Lots can happen out in the field and woods that forces a hunter to adjust and improvise strategy.
I enjoy bow hunting whitetails in the fall and the wind, temperature, crop placements, time of day, and much more all have varying effects on how I plan my hunt.
It takes a good hunter to have the ability to adapt to changing conditions.
When you’re taking initiative with your online marketing strategy you’re going to come across many changing occurrences.
Trends, tools, and habits change quickly on the Web. It’s important to be able to recognize how various changes affect you and your business. Adjust and leave previous logic behind in favor of new trends that may prove more beneficial.
Just as you make changes on the fly in the field when pheasant hunting, look for changes in the online marketing world and adjust when appropriate for your business.
Always Learning
The final point I’d like to make about online marketing is that it takes a mindset of continuous learning to be successful.
One of the things I always appreciated about my Dad was the fact that he always seemed to want to learn more about how to successfully hunt. He was always showing me new things that he’d read about or walking me through the field and woods looking at new areas for a possible hunt.
His mindset to continuously learn is something I try to emulate in my hunting life as well as my marketing life. I find the most exciting thing about the Web is that things change fast and there are endless possibilities when it comes to learning about new tools, techniques, and strategies.
Summary
Pheasant hunting and online marketing are surprisingly similar.
Both require some preparation, adjustment, and a mindset of continuous learning.
They both are fun as well!
The Web is a field full of opportunity and it’s yours for the taking if you’re ready to do some hunting.
The most important point to take away from this article is that your online marketing initiatives should always have the goal of making connections. Connections and interaction open the door to new learning opportunities as well as increase the reach of your marketing efforts.
Connections lead to a fuller life and ultimately a pull marketing platform for your business that is strong and powerful for converting customers for your hunting business.
Related articles on Hunting Connections
Offline Hunting Businesses Anonymous – 12-Step Program to Joining the Web
South Dakota – Truely A Hunter’s Paradise
For more online marketing resources see the archive of articles at Hunting Business Marketing.
Dayne is the founder and CEO of Hunting Business Marketing. For more information on how he can help you and your hunting business with your online marketing goals email him: DayneShuda@gmail.com