Black hat vs. white hat. Correct vs. wrong. Good vs. evil?
There are so many ways to compare types of marketers and SEOs, but for this post, we’re going with Homer Simpson vs. Ned Flanders.
The two famous cartoon characters are about as opposite as you can get while still being the same species.
Let’s take Homer’s obvious and incredible obesity… He’s fat and lazy and generally gets winded after more than 30 seconds of “exercise”.
On the other hand we have his neighbor Ned Flanders.
Ned is fit, active and…Jeez the artists didn’t skimp on the pectorals did they?!
Homer represents a reactive marketer - someone without a plan or any type of forethought. This type of marketer approaches communication like the cartoon character approaches parenting: one way or another it will all figure itself out.
A Homer-marketer (HM for short) struggles to present a clear message with strong calls to action. For the HM, the messages become jumbled and it confuses the target audience and ultimately drives them away.
A Ned Flanders-marketer (NFM for short) is proactive though. They map out strategies beforehand and are prepared should crisis strike. They plan for all conceivable outcomes of their communications program and are ready to present a strong response regardless of the end result.
Audiences are presented with clear, concise messages with strong calls to action and a simple explanation of what is being offered.
Confusion is the enemy of a NFM, and that’s why they come to the table prepared (think Ned Flanders’ bomb shelter).
Moving on, let’s tackle the role of alcohol in the TV show. Homer is (likely) a burgeoning alcoholic. Flanders abstains.
An HM isn’t confident in the messages they put out there and allows depression and/or emotion to affect business marketing decisions. Homer himself makes a large number of decisions while at his favorite bar, and he’s doing it while under the wrong mindset.
On the other hand, Ned Flanders completely abstains from alcohol (aside from his 1 wine spritzer and his trip with Homer to Las Vegas). He keeps a level head and approaches life like a marketer should approach communication: with enthusiasm!
When a marketer approaches their business and their audience with gusto, it helps sell the message. I have yet to meet someone who can remain über positive and make a solid pitch while drinking.
Then of course there’s the whole thing with trust. Is it easier to trust an HM who struggles with confidence in their own message, or a NFM who enthusiastically engages in conversations?
And how about the difference between approaches towards parenting?
Homer very infamously strangles his son Bart whenever the boy does something wrong or Homer become frustrated.
Flanders however is very doting towards his two kids, and sometimes even to Bart. He may be a bit over-bearing with his religious beliefs, but there’s never any fear of abuse.
Abuse….not a good strategy to employ when you’re trying to market a product or service.
Brow-beating your clients into submission won’t leave you with happy customers. Explain your point of view, but also LISTEN to what the client is telling you.
A NFM would use tools like social media to listen and participate in conversations about the industry they’re in and the services they offer. A HM would rather shout their message from the pulpit, regardless of audience feedback.
And finally let’s look at devotion. I’ll grant that Homer is remarkably devoted to his wife Marge. But he slacks off at work, he slacks off with household chores, and he often slacks off as a parent (though he usually pulls it together at the very end).
Ned Flanders is a quite the opposite. He’s a devout Christian and devoted church-goer, runs his own store, and routinely trims the hedges the separate his yard from Homer’s.
When it comes to marketing and SEO, remaining diligent is incredibly important. Slack off, and you might miss the changes the come about like Google Caffeine.
If you’re trying to gain new clients, or keep happy the ones that you have, you’re definitely going to want to remain active and keep expanding your knowledge and resources.
Stay devoted to your business and your clients, and you’ll see the success you’re really looking for as a marketer. Basically, be Ned Flanders, and you’ll get results!
And for the record:
By: Zack S.
