If you are reading this article, chances are that you know something about Ryan Deiss and his Customer Value Journey. Ryan literally built a marketing education empire on the concept of this framework.
It’s so important to the DigitalMarketer community that he even has the original napkin version framed like a relic to be viewed like the Mona Lisa.
My name is James Bullis. I am a Marketing Technologist / Webmaster with over 25 years in the industry.
I remember when I first learned about this concept around 15 years ago.
It was originally called Customer Value Optimization and had an entirely different structure. I’m a web designer and when I started working in this industry I started out in marketing.
When I became a web designer, I didn’t understand that a business web design is a part of a business’
marketing plan. After learning more about marketing, I realized how I could put these concepts into the website and use them to create a better website experience for my customers’ website visitors.
Then the along came the Customer Value Journey (CVJ) which was a fundamental upgrade and made the entire foundational framework make more sense. It essentially closed the loop and created an endless flywheel of customers if applied correctly.
It really played well in helping to understand how a business website should be laid out so that the traffic could be funneled through the Customer Value Journey.
The CVJ is not the only part of this foundational framework. It is usually accompanied by an Ideal Client Avatar and the Before & After exercise. Essentially, you need to understand who you want to help and be able to empathize with them to discover how you can bring value by easing their pain.
But there is a real problem when it comes to the CVJ that I have noticed over the years. It seems to me that no one will sit down and do it.
Do I know this for a fact? No. But, I can guess with some authority that most people who have learned this framework skip over it in practice.
This became obvious to me some years ago inside of DigitalMarketer Engage – the Facebook group of people who have spent some time and money with DigitalMarketer to engage with other members to talk about the frameworks, get advice, and learn from each other.
You could always tell when a fresh wave of members would join because the same questions were asked repeatedly.
These were questions that could simply be answered if they took the time to go through the process of completing these exercises for each new campaign or business that they started to work on as marketers.
I don’t know why people skip over these foundational steps. The framework itself along with the worksheets probably make the concept seem simple and insignificant but it is a powerful exercise that will save you a ton of time, money, and resources.
Years ago, DigitalMarketer invited people to a conference in Austin to learn some amazing new concepts that were going to change the way we thought about digital marketing.
I was excited. I packed up. Headed to Texas. Arrived at the event. Sat down. Excited to learn something new when the guys came out and began talking about…the CVJ. The avatar. The before and after exercise.
I was a bit dumbfounded and a little bit angry at myself when I realized that this framework…was the secret. And I realized that I was not taking the time to do these exercises.
I realized that I wanted to spend my time learning about these frameworks and exercises but I myself was not implementing them. I did something drastic when I left that event. I went home and disconnected myself from everything DigitalMarketer and I decided that I wouldn’t invest in learning any new concepts until I started with these fundamentals.
For years, I worked on numerous projects, and I took a stand to make sure that we sat down and did the work. This is what I discovered.
Why the Customer Value Journey Is STILL Essential
The CVJ is essential because it answers the most important questions that everyone who works with a
business needs to know:
- Who Do You Help?
- How Do You Help?
- Why Does It Matter?
It’s also important because it puts this information in a format that can be shared with anyone who works on a business including sales, marketing, and technology. If my clients already had a CVJ for their business when I started designing and building a new website for them, it would be so much easier to create a website that actually gets results.
If the information that is contained in a CVJ were given to a graphic designer, marketing contractor, customer service rep, sales rep, consultant, anyone…this would make working the clients and ensuring their success so much easier. We call it greasing the skids because it makes it outlines everything that needs to be done in a simple to understand and comprehend format.
After using this framework on any new projects, I don’t know how I could realistically provide value to my clients if I didn’t help them create their CVJ.
The CVJ Is an Experiment in Marketing
Everything that we do in marketing is an experiment. Every little decision we make is a series of experiments that lead us to always be optimizing. No matter how far we’ve come, we can always do it better. For that reason, the CVJ is more of a living document that changes over time as the campaigns that you work on. A business can have multiple CVJs.
Think about it. You can get this process wrong because chances are you and your customer are just guessing about what will work. The more you do it, the easier it will be for you to ensure your customer’s success, but chances are, if you are creating a CVJ for a customer, they probably never completed one before and these concepts are new.
You can get it wrong. In fact, you can get it wrong and waste time, money, and resources by targeting the wrong people. Last year, I did a session with a client where we went through the process of mapping out their Ideal Customer Avatar, Before & After Exercise, and CVJ.
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For months we created content, updated the website, and ran social media campaign. It wasn’t until we expanded on these exercises with AI that we realized that we were targeting the wrong prospect. Now we can avoid that.
The CVJ Is Easier To Create Than Ever with AI
If I were to ask a group of marketers why they did not use a framework to conduct their marketing, I would imagine that the main consensus would be that the act of sitting down with your client and getting a full understanding of these concepts is not something that you or your client really want to do.
In the mind of the client, you should just know this information (by some miracle). The reality is that every business is different and while you may be able to repeat the concepts in these exercises, having the exercises completed and documented will save you a lot of time and heartache in the long run.
I love the quote from Lincoln that says, “If given six hours to chop down a tree, I would spend the first four sharpening my axe.”
This concept is true in so many aspects of business but as I said before, if you take the time to document the CVJ, ICA, and Before and After exercise, you will be so far along that you’ll make your life a lot easier.
Well, now we have this thing called AI. And what I have discovered about AI is that it is really suited to help solve this problem. In fact, now that I have started to use AI to help create this foundation, I can’t help but generate the concepts, expand on them, and make some of the most focused content that speaks directly to the prospect.
The CVJ framework is essential to success as a marketer. Now with the help of AI tools, you can take any framework and inject it with steroids to create comprehensive marketing foundation that can literally transform your marketing campaigns.
Not only can you generate expanded versions of these foundational frameworks, but you can now use them to reference when creating content to build awareness and increase engagement with your audience.
The dawn of AI in digital marketing is an exciting one, offering boundless opportunities to strengthen and streamline the strategies we use. Leveraging the capabilities of AI, the creation and application of foundational frameworks such as the Customer Value Journey (CVJ), Ideal Client Avatar (ICA), and the Before & After exercise, can be profoundly amplified.
Gone are the days where marketers neglect these critical steps due to their time-consuming nature or the perceived complexity. With AI, we are able to enhance these processes, reduce the margin for error, and ultimately deliver more targeted and impactful content.
In my personal journey as a web designer turned marketing technologist, I have seen the value these tools bring to the table, but also witnessed their neglect. Utilizing AI, we can change this trend, ensuring that these valuable resources are used to their fullest potential.
By taking the time to implement these tools properly, we not only provide immense value to our clients but also create a better experience for the end user, leading to more successful marketing campaigns.
As digital marketers, we have an exciting path ahead of us. Armed with the transformative power of AI, we can take the wisdom encapsulated in the CVJ and other frameworks and unleash it on a grander scale than ever before.
In an era where every business decision is becoming data-driven, the advent of AI ensures that the nuances of human insight remain central to our marketing strategies.
It allows us to balance the scales between data and empathy, between efficiency and effectiveness, and, ultimately, between the business and the customer. So, as we step into the future of digital marketing, let us remember to carry these valuable lessons forward, and embrace the tools that AI provides to augment our journey.
[TAG3]The post AI Has Made the Customer Value Journey More Powerful: Here’s Why appeared first on DigitalMarketer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Motivate yourself as an Entrepreneur
Find someone to motivate you. Ask someone who has worked hard towards achieving his goals to tell you how he did it.
Ask for help, listen, learn, and most importantly, keep it coming. If you find someone who is successful, emulate them.
Do whatever it takes to become that person. Learn from them. Take their lead. Follow their example.
Keep moving forward. Keep moving. Never stop learning. Never give up.
Never let anyone tell you that you aren't capable. You don't have to believe that there is no way.
You might fail but that doesn’t mean you’re a failure. Failure is an opportunity to grow stronger. To find out more. To push harder.
Failure is only another step on your journey to success.
You can start now. Do something today that will move you closer to your dream.
Are you still waiting?
What are the five most important motivators for entrepreneurs?
Motivation is key for success. Without it, everything would fail. Without it, we wouldn't even be here.
Motivational psychology studies how people behave when they are motivated. Motivation can make us do amazing things. It is also evident that our motivation is limited.
The five most important motivational factors are:
- Autonomy - The freedom to choose
- Mastery is the ability or capability to master certain skills
- Purpose is the feeling of purpose
- A feeling of belonging through the concept of relatedness
- Reciprocity – The desire to give back
These motivators may be able to be applied to your company. In reality, however, each provides a slightly different perspective on why people act as they do.
A person may desire autonomy because he wants freedom and control over his life. Or perhaps he seeks mastery because he wants to become more skilled at his job.
So on. These are just some examples of possible motivations. There are many other motivations. However, which ones might be most applicable to your particular situation. This is entirely up to you.
To help you find out, I suggest writing three words that describe your ideal environment at work. Then take those same words and apply them to your current working conditions.
If you struggle to come up with ideas, simply ask yourself why are you doing this. If you can't think of any ideas, ask yourself: "Why am I doing this?" This will help identify your goals.
Once you have a clear vision of your goals, you can start to see where you are right now. And that knowledge can help you determine whether or not you should make changes.
If you aren't willing to change anything then it's time for you to look at your options.
However, if you are looking to make positive changes in your life, you will need to begin thinking about how to motivate yourself.
Which one of the above motivators will prove most effective? It's hard to say. Instead of focusing only on one factor, consider all five.
This will allow you to achieve your ultimate goal, becoming a successful entrepreneur.
What are the three motivations for an entrepreneur?
Entrepreneurs have three primary motivations: freedom, money, knowledge.
- Freedom means the freedom to do anything you want at any time. This is why we become entrepreneurs when constrained by our current job or life situation.
- Because we cannot start a business without money, it is equally important that we have enough money. You can live without food, water and shelter but you cannot survive without money.
- Knowledge is the third motivation. Entrepreneurship is a constant learning process. We often read books, attend seminars and take online courses to learn how to make products and services.
This is what motivates and drives us to reach our goals. It gives us purpose, meaning.
These three aspects are the reason we started our ventures. These three factors are the key to our success day after day.
If any of these three items are missing, it's possible to pack up and move home. We will never be truly happy if these three things are missing.
What are the different motivations for entrepreneurs?
Entrepreneurs can choose from three types of motivation. Each type has its own set of strengths and weaknesses.
The most common form of motivation is external, where an individual wants to make more money. This motivation comes from financial concerns.
External motivation can be driven by personal passion, ambition, or desire. This type of motivation is very goal-oriented.
Inner motivation is much more rare. Internal motivation is rare. They don't necessarily seek wealth, but instead pursue other goals like self-development and fulfillment or service to others.
People with internal motivation are frequently called "passionate" since they find satisfaction from their work.
Finally, intrinsic motivation is the least popular type of motivation. Intrinsic motivation is a person who finds enjoyment and satisfaction working towards achieving a goal.
Motivation from within is stronger than external motivation.
It comes from the inside. It is based in the belief that each person has certain talents or abilities. These talents and abilities enable them to achieve feats that no other person could ever do.
Feeling fulfilled and satisfied when you realize your talents and abilities is a sign of happiness. We feel important.
We are happy when we have intrinsic motivation. That happiness comes from knowing that we can accomplish anything we put our minds to.
This feeling of accomplishment keeps you going no matter what the circumstances are.
You might even find it boring if you don’t enjoy what your doing.
If you want to know more about entrepreneur motivation, click here.
What are some of the benefits of an entrepreneurial mindset
Being an entrepreneur has many benefits. First, you are more self-reliant. You stop relying on other people.
You can be independent and pursue your dreams. This helps you establish relationships with other entrepreneurs as you share common interests and challenges.
You gain confidence. As an entrepreneur, you're always learning new things. This allows you to be flexible and adapt quickly. Think outside the box to avoid getting stuck in a routine.
When we all start our businesses, we're no longer bound by the rules and regulations placed upon us by society. We can choose what we want and how we want it to go.
We have two options: follow the crowd, or fight it. We can choose to be successful or not. You can choose to win or fail.
It is exhilarating. However, it also comes with some responsibility. Because once you accept this role, everything in your business is at your responsibility.
So if you want to succeed, you must learn to manage risk. Try new things. You will eventually achieve your goal if you are willing to learn from your mistakes.
These are some of the lessons you should keep in mind when embarking on your journey.
Remember:
- Entrepreneurship is a lifestyle choice.
- You are the boss when you own your business.
- Be wary of following trends.
- The measure of success is not money, but freedom.
- Balance your personal and professional life.
- Set clear expectations.
- Always be sincere with your team.
- Be persistent if it's your desire for something to happen.
Motivation is important for entrepreneurs.
Motivation is what drives us forward when things seem difficult or hopeless. It helps us face our fears and make difficult decisions.
Motivation is also a driving force behind success. When we lack motivation, we become lazy, unmotivated, unproductive, and ultimately unsuccessful.
The key to unlocking your potential is to find ways to motivate yourself. It is important to find a way that motivates you throughout the day.
It is like a muscle. The more you work it, the stronger it will become. It starts to weaken and atrophy if it isn’t exercised.
Self-motivated entrepreneurs are the best. They set goals, plan how to achieve them, and follow through.
However, there will be times when motivation is needed. Here are three easy steps to keep you going.
Step 1) Get inspired. Find an example of someone who inspires. Someone who is already achieving your goals.
Step 2: Set small goals. Be realistic about each goal. The next step is more important than the end result. It's easier to achieve big goals by breaking them down into smaller tasks.
Step 3: Reward your self. You can reward yourself when you reach your goals. You don't need a reward to be material. It could be as simple as taking the time to do something that you enjoy.
Motivation is a choice. Choose to be happy and to succeed, and to live an abundant life.
So if you want to change your life, start today. The first step is to decide to change. Then take action. Get started now on your journey to living the life you desire.
Statistics
- "If you improve by just 1% every single day, in several months, you will have improved by 100%. (carolroth.com)
- I shifted my motivational point from something huge (and undefined) to improve by just 1% each day. (carolroth.com)
- Invest at least 30% managing those with authority over you and 15% managing your peers.” (americanexpress.com)
- That means for $150,000, you could have bought 10 percent of Airbnb." (entrepreneur.com)
- Our 10 years of research also shows that 75% of mentored entrepreneurs increased their revenue, and 82% of their businesses survived the first two years. (carolroth.com)
External Links
inc.com
kabbage.com
businessinsider.com
- 101 Best Inspirational Quotes For Entrepreneurs
- SpaceX employees face almost impossible goals from Elon Musk
oberlo.com
How To
What are the 3 things that keep entrepreneurs inspired?
Entrepreneurs should be motivated. Without motivation, there is no drive nor determination to succeed. But what motivates you?
These are the three main reasons that we stay motivated.
- We love our business
- Our vision/mission is greater than our own.
- We have a passion to help others
The key to staying motivated is to find ways to tap into these motivations. If we love our businesses, we feel great pride in it and satisfaction when it succeeds. A big vision makes us feel more content knowing that we're making a difference. We feel fulfilled when we feel a strong desire for helping others.
According to a University of Chicago Professor Emeritus Dr. John Cacioppo's research, the best way of motivating yourself is to concentrate on what you are passionate about. His book, "Loneliness," states that "the best source for motivation is caring about someone." This will make us more engaged and motivated. It is obvious that if we are passionate about something, it will make us more enthusiastic about doing it.
