In sales and marketing, we often talk about pain points. These are the things — both small and large — that keep our businesses from running smoothly. They cost us money and man-hours. They cost us energy and stress and frustration and sleep.
As marketers, we seek to understand our target market’s pain points. What is it that they struggle with the most, and how can our product or service or content address it? To better understand someone’s pain point, you need to ask the right questions and listen carefully to the answers.
Has anyone asked about your pain points recently? Well, I am.
This week’s writing prompt is: Think about your own pain points — within your department or company-wide or even at home. What is your biggest pain point? And how is it holding you back? (And ultimately, what is preventing you from solving it?)
Why do I like this question? First of all, sometimes we haven’t really thought about the root of a problem. We just know something isn’t working. So, wouldn’t it help to have a bit more clarity around the problem? That way, you could more efficiently and effectively find a solution, right? How do you research an answer without knowing the question. Secondly, understanding our own challenges helps enlighten us as we strive to deliver content that helps others.
So, take a few minutes to think and a few more minutes to — yep, you know the drill — go write.