Continuing our series of blog posts based on movies, here is a guest post from Michael David.

---

Harry Potter and his friends faced many challenges throughout the years, but they always managed to come out on top. Take a few cues from Harry Potter to make sure your business comes out on top as well.

Focus on the Positive

Professor Lupin introduces his class to a boggart, which transforms itself into whatever the viewer fears most. Lupin then teaches his class that the best way to defeat a boggart is through laughter. He has his class use humor to defeat their fears. When Lupin teaches Harry to protect himself from dementors, he uses a similar strategy. Harry is told to focus on a happy memory. The memory brings him a sense of peace, happiness, and confidence which he uses to cast the Patronus charm. In both cases, we see that positive emotion is stronger than negative emotion.

Keep this in mind when creating your marketing campaign. While it may be easy to compare yourself to a weaker competitor, focusing on the positive will get you farther with customers. Use your marketing to highlight your own strengths and remind customers of the benefits you can offer them.

Be Active in Your Community

Throughout the years, Harry and his friends have many Defense Against the Dark-Arts teachers. Some of them are fantastic and some are fantastically bad. When their professor in their fifth year refuses to teach them any useful spells or give them opportunities to practice, they take matters into their own hands. They organize a group of students and meet in secret to practice real spells and teach each other what they know.

Harry knows that hands-on experience is essential to learning real skills and that helping others is a valuable use of his time. Follow Harry's example and take action. Being active in your community is a great way to increase your visibility and reputation. Offer to write an article for your local paper explaining a new law or donate your services pro bono to a deserving charity. Whether you are a personal injury lawyer in Virginia or a divorce attorney in Vermont, being active in your community is a smart marketing strategy.

Be Innovative

When Harry and his friends are faced with challenges, they come up with creative solutions. When Harry is locked up by his awful relatives, Ron and his brothers come to Harry's rescue with a flying car. In the fourth film, Neville gives Harry a plant that allows him to breathe underwater so he can succeed in the Triwizard Tournament.

Follow their lead when you are creating a marketing strategy. Don't be afraid to try new things. Explore social media or expand your strategy to include mobile marketing, find a new angle.

Simplicity is Powerful

When Harry faces his arch nemesis, Lord Voldemort, some may expect him to employ an elaborate and impressive spell, instead he uses one that Professor Snape taught him in his second year at Hogwarts. In The Goblet of Fire and again in The Deathly Hallows, Harry uses the disarming charm (Expelliarmus) to defeat his greatest enemy. It may be simple, but he knows exactly how to use it and it does just what he needs.

Don't underestimate the strength of simplicity. Your most powerful marketing tool might be a billboard with one word on it. Simple messages are clear and easy to remember. Take advantage of how powerful simplicity can be.

Do What is Right Instead of What is Easy

Harry and his friends make mistakes, but in the end, they always do what is right instead of what is easy. Ron sacrifices himself in a chess game so that his friends can move on, Hermione removes her parent's memories to keep them safe and Harry faces death knowing it is the only way to defeat Voldemort.

Take a cue from Harry and his friends. Doing what is right is better than doing what is easy. It might be easier to have your receptionist take the photos for your blog instead of hiring a professional, but you will pay for it in the long run. Don't choose the cheap and easy route. Spend your time and money wisely to get the most out of your marketing campaign. Follow these five magic marketing tips from Harry Potter to ensure your next marketing venture is a success.

Michael David is a freelance blogger who writes about a variety of topics including entertainment, law, and marketing.