Is Your School Marketing BIG Enough?

Do you ever have a great idea … that you just let simmer? Or disagree … but stay quiet? Or learn something new … only to tuck it away because it would cost too much time/energy/aggravation to implement?
I do. All the time. And it’s frustrating, right?
We often self-sabotage, or build false roadblocks, or reason our way out of trying something new, for one reason.

We’re scared.

Scared of making a mistake. Of being wrong. Of having our personal opinions put on display.
In the fast-paced, constantly changing world of online communications, this fear is real and legit. Because yes, you could be wrong. You could make a mistake. And you’re on a big stage.

But, what if …

What if you were right? What if you made waves? What if you achieved something unimaginable?

“This fear, this resistance that tries to stop us from doing these amazing things … that’s actually a sign that whatever it is that you’re trying to do is something that’s meaningful to you. For me, now I look toward that fear — I try to find. Because I’m serious, if I don’t feel nervous about something I’m doing, it’s probably not big enough to actually make a big difference.” — Pat Flynn, Smart Passive Income Episode #230

I listened to this episode of online entrepreneur Pat Flynn’s widely popular podcast as I was putting the finishing touches on this weekend’s VirCon3 presentation (ahem, register here, ahem). So the timing? It was perfect.
In the episode, Pat shares his transformation from being speaking-shy to earning tens of thousands of dollars for his impressive keynotes. He details the intense work that went into becoming an engaging presenter, the literal missteps he took along the way, and the vulnerable truth that he still gets nervous before his speeches.
It made me think back to when I began Cursive Content Marketing nearly three years ago, when I wrote my very first blog post about the importance of content (which I still believe today!), when I first began public speaking, when I made the commitment to work primarily with school marketers.

I had no idea if what I was doing or planning would work. But I knew I had something valuable to give. So I went for it.

“The bottom line is this: You can either be comfortable and stagnate or stretch yourself—become uncomfortable—and grow. You may think that comfort leads to happiness. It doesn’t. Happiness comes from growth and feeling like you are making progress.” — Michael Hyatt, Why Discomfort Is Good For You

So here’s the thing: It is scary to put something out there into the world, open for review. It is scary to come to the table with new ideas, or stand passionately behind a new direction, or be the champion of a new cause. It is scary. But it is also amazing.
When you are a rebel, when you follow a passion or a belief and try something totally new and different, the risks are greater but so are the rewards.

“Vulnerability sounds like truth and feels like courage. Truth and courage aren’t always comfortable, but they’re never weakness.” ― Brené Brown, Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead

There is nothing I love more than seeing one of my schools “dare greatly” — no matter the outcome. Dare greatly and succeed? That’s awesome. But dare greatly, fail, and dare greatly again? That’s the person you want to work with, work for.

So let me ask you: is your school marketing BIG enough?

Are you trying new things? Telling a bold story? Helping your audience in a way only you can? Are you putting yourself out there? Are you daring greatly?
It’s the start of a new school year. Make your resolution. Be bold. Create and share stories your audience will love. Go BIG.