I’m sure you’ve heard of FOMO.
Fear Of Missing Out.
It’s usually applied to social situations, but I see it in marketing all the time. It usually comes with a should: I should start a Facebook Group, I should start a podcast, I should do more videos, I should grow my email list.
The fear behind the shoulds is the fear of missing out. And, that by missing out, the fear that you’re doing something wrong.
The thing about FOMO though, is that it pushes you to follow other people. Would you want to start a Facebook Group or podcast if you didn’t see other people doing it first?
Sometimes following people is good. Seeing other marketers try things might give you the permission or encouragement you need to try them, too. Or it might give you ideas for how to improve, adapt or blend marketing tactics that you see others using.
But if your primary motivation to try something comes from FOMO… it doesn’t feel good, does it?
It makes me feel rushed and pressured and tense. It’s completely different from the feeling of trying something because you want to. When I started my Facebook Live Marketing show, I was scared and uncertain. But it was the kind of scared that’s edged with excitement because I knew I wanted my own platform, I wanted to talk to people, and I was thrilled that I was pushing myself to try something new.
Have you heard of JOMO?
Joy Of Missing Out.
The introverted homebody in me LOVES this concept. It “seems more cool” to go out at 10 pm for karaoke, but the joy of missing out on that so I can go home and wind down and read and have quiet time is strong.
What if we converted marketing FOMO into marketing JOMO?
Next time I feel like I should do something (because if I don’t, I’m missing out on an effective/best-practices/new tactic)… I can ask myself, where’s the joy in missing out on this tactic?
