<img src="https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/17644499_s-300x209.jpg" alt="Online Dating" width="300" height="209" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-10114" />Marketing seems a bit like a dirty word for business owners anymore. It means self-promotion, which can be stressful if you don't like to be pushy. However, marketing doesn't have to be a dirty word. You don't have to be pushy.

Good marketing is much like online dating and you can find others passionate about what they do and ready to work with you. There are many things you can do to make marketing work for you. Here are some of the ways online marketing can become more like online dating. 

<h2>Offer Something People Want</h2>

When you're trying to find a date, you create a profile perfect for attracting somebody you will like. The same goes with marketing. When you create marketing materials representing wo you are and offering something people want, you will attract like-minded clients. 

You don't need to airbrush your marketing to make it look "perfect" to the target audience. Instead, just make sure it's dressed up nicely and provides a real representation of you. 

<h2>Don't Let Competition Get you Stressed</h2>

Competition is part of business and when you worry about them too much, you will waste time and energy. This is true of both online marketing and online dating. You cannot duplicate what somebody else or another business does, so don't try.

It's better to focus on what you offer and what makes you unique instead of your competition. This means creating a unique profile, in the online dating world. With marketing, it means providing something different enough from your competition to appeal to your audience.

<h2>High Standards are Necessary</h2>

You wouldn't go into online dating willing to date just anybody. No, you'd have a specific type of person in mind and you'd set your standards very high.

The same goes with marketing. You want to have high standards for your target audience and not just anybody gets to be your client. If you're a small business, you probably have a limited number of clients you can handle. Why not make all of those clients excellent instead of just taking whoever comes along?

<h2>Use the Right Marketing Methods</h2>

<img src="https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/14984647_s-300x225.jpg" alt="Online Marketing" width="300" height="225" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-10113" />If you were trying to find a Christian spouse through online dating, you'd probably use a Christian dating site instead of just any random site. With marketing, you also need to make sure you use the right tools. 

Businesses targeting executives may want to use LinkedIn instead of Facebook. However, if you're targeting a younger audience, Facebook might be the perfect solution for your marketing needs.

<h2>Keep it Focused</h2>

A focused online marketing message is vital. You have to write killer headlines and you have to make sure you grab attention fast. Even the most interested person won't always take the time to do more than just scan your online content. 

If you want to convert traffic into customers and you want people to actually read your marketing message, you need to keep it short and to the point. Focused content will help get your message across to your audience before they lose interest.

<h2>Persistence Pays</h2>

<img src="https://itxdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/33379686_s-300x191.jpg" alt="Persistent" width="300" height="191" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-10115" />Most won't give up after a few bad dates if they are truly seeking their soulmate. As a business, you can't give up either. You have to continue to be persistent until you find the right people to become your clients. Marketing takes time and you're not just going to throw your line out once and reel in all the fish you need.

It may seem like an odd comparison, but online marketing and online dating are very similar. They both require a similar amount of effort and honest to ensure you attract the right person. If you can build personal relationships in your own life, you have what's necessary to market your business and yourself online.
