I’ve been in the world of marketing for 8 years and this year I started a new journey in my life as a mother. My daughter was born in April 2024 and I found myself experiencing a whole new way of life. But as I was enjoying the time with her during my maternity leave, I couldn’t help noticing that motherhood and marketing have some common ground.
Becoming a new mom is a transformative experience, filled with sleepless nights, so many things to do (like cleaning the house, doing laundry and eating), and emotional rollercoasters. Similarly, marketing can be a whirlwind of strategies, deadlines, and creativity. Here’s a look at how my journey of being a new mom and the practice of marketing intersect, offering unexpected lessons for both.
1. Adapting to Change
New Mom: The transition to motherhood is unpredictable. From the moment your baby arrives, you’re faced with an ever-changing set of challenges and needs. Flexibility becomes crucial as you adapt to new routines, sleep schedules, and feeding times. Every day brings a new set of surprises, and the ability to adjust your plans ASAP is essential.
Marketing: In the marketing world, flexibility is equally important. Trends change rapidly, consumer preferences evolve, and unexpected events can impact your strategies. Marketers need to stay agile, adapting campaigns and messages to meet new demands and seize opportunities. Just like a new mom learns to pivot when a baby’s schedule changes, marketers must pivot their strategies in response to market shifts.
2. Building Strong Relationships
New Mom: As a new mom, building strong relationships is key to navigating the challenges of parenthood. Whether it's making new mommy friends, relying on family, or establishing routines with your baby, nurturing these relationships is vital for emotional and practical support.
Marketing: Similarly, successful marketing relies on building strong relationships with your audience. Understanding your customers’ needs, engaging with them authentically, and responding to their feedback creates a loyal customer base. Just as personal connections help new moms thrive, building genuine connections with your audience can drive brand loyalty and success.
3. Embracing the Learning Curve
New Mom: Becoming a mom is an interesting learning curve. You’ll find yourself acquiring new skills daily, whether it’s mastering the art of swaddling or learning how to interpret your baby’s cries. Each challenge offers an opportunity for growth and improvement.
Marketing: Marketing also involves a continuous learning process. From understanding analytics to experimenting with different strategies, marketers must constantly adapt and learn from their experiences. Each campaign provides insights that can refine future strategies, much like how new moms learn and grow with each passing day.
4. Balancing Multiple Roles
New Mom: I find myself juggling multiple roles such as being a mother, daughter, sister, partner, friend, and employee. Balancing these responsibilities requires effective time management and prioritisation. Finding harmony between these roles is a constant challenge but crucial for maintaining well-being and efficiency.
Marketing: Marketers too juggle multiple priorities. Managing various campaigns, coordinating with teams, and keeping track of performance metrics require adept multitasking and prioritisation. Just as a new mom learns to balance different aspects of her life, marketers must skillfully balance different components of their marketing efforts.
5. Celebrating Small Wins
New Mom: In the world of new motherhood, celebrating small wins like your baby’s first smile or a full night sleep can provide much needed motivation and joy. These moments, though seemingly minor, are milestones in the journey of parenthood.
Marketing: In marketing, celebrating small victories such as a successful campaign or a positive customer review can be incredibly rewarding. These achievements, while small in isolation, contribute to overall success and help maintain motivation. Recognising and celebrating these wins keeps the momentum going, much like celebrating milestones in parenting.
6. Self-Care is important
New Mom: Self-care is often one of the first things to go when you become a new mom, but it’s crucial for long-term well-being. Taking time to care for yourself, and do the things you loved before the baby came ensures you have the energy and mental clarity to care for your baby effectively.
Marketing: Marketers also need to prioritise self-care to avoid burnout. The fast-paced nature of the field can be overwhelming, so finding time to recharge and maintain a healthy work-life balance is essential for sustained creativity and productivity.
The worlds of new motherhood and marketing might seem worlds apart, but they share many similarities. From adapting to change and building relationships to embracing the learning curve and balancing multiple roles. In the end, the skills and insights gained in one area can often be applied to the other.
To go beyond diaper changes and decoding baby cries, check out our resources page for expert tips on improving your marketing strategies.
