What You Can Learn From Awkward Family Photos
We’ve all been there. From the ugly, homemade Christmas sweaters to the flamboyant glamour shot, there are thousands of examples of photographs that seemed a good idea at the time but are now a source of embarrassment rather than pride.
For evidence, look no further than the book Awkward Family Photos. (Warning: their website is very addictive.) In addition to the expected mullets, 80s perms and groovy matching wardrobes, we’ve discovered a deeper meaning. We were inspired by some of the most puzzling pictures to create a list of three things you can learn about marketing from Awkward Family Photos.
1. It’s okay to stand out in a crowd if you are really supposed to stand out in a crowd.
It’s okay to wear a prom dress to the company photo shoot…as long as you’re supposed to wear one. However, if your coworkers are all wearing blue jeans and white shirts, well, you’ve got a recipe for awkwardness.
The lesson: Harness your power as a group. The statement you make as a cohesive team is more powerful than one you make individually with puffy, white sleeves in a stunning prom dress. Make sure you’re on the same page regarding your goals and your strategy; otherwise, your disjointed team will produce awkward results.
2. Always Look at the bigger picture.
It’s easy to be so caught up in the day-to-day details of your project that you lose sight of larger issues. A perfect example is an outdoor wedding photographer who was totally oblivious to the large STOP sign in the background between the bride and groom.
The lesson: Creativity does not exist in a vacuum. Details are always important, but they should always neatly dovetail into the overarching goal for your company or nonprofit. This is where chasing shiny objects and trendy developments can come back to bite you.
3. Don’t put yourself in a position where the unexpected can happen.
Of course, the dog is a member of the family, and he certainly should be in the wedding photo with you. But no matter how loyal, some dogs just can’t take direction, and they believe that exchanging vows is a perfect time to roll around, expecting a belly rub.
The lesson: No one can truly anticipate the unexpected –that’s why it’s called the unexpected– but you can make sure you’re in a position where you have minimized the possibility of it happening. That’s why it’s even more important to pay attention to quantifiable results, patient privacy laws and industry disruptors.
There’s no reason your marketing strategy should be awkward
Many of these family photos didn’t intend to be awkward; someone just implemented an idea that seemed great at the time. However, when it comes to a strategic plan for your medical practice or business, you need more than just a good feeling to move forward. You need to:
- Understand your brand story
- Ensure that your website focuses on your unique value propositions
- Emphasize your dedication to meeting customers’ needs
- Work closely with your digital marketing team
For almost two decades, we’ve provided our clients with the best in digital marketing to help them meet their goals. We’re an award-winning website design agency in Wilmington that uses quantitative analysis, search engine optimization and a dose of creativity to turn ideas into strategies and strategies into profitable wins for our clients. Ready to get started? Contact us.
Since its inception in 2000, Proclaim Interactive has combined excellence in design and think-out-of- the-box digital marketing to become one of the most award-winning firms in the region. Proclaim Interactive provides website design, social media management, SEO and general marketing services designed to amplify clients’ messages. For more information call 910.795.4143.
