From finding your lobster to being very clear about when you’re on a break, we learned a lot from the 90s’ favourite “Friends”.

Little did you know, they also taught us about marketing. Not because the show sold a lot of merchandise, but because each of the friends demonstrates behaviours that can be invaluable in marketing.

Of course, none of the characters is a marketer. Joey becomes a famous actor. Rachel thrives in the world of fashion. And Chandler… well, apparently, he’s a great transponster.

But had they put their heads together, I reckon they would have made an unstoppable marketing team.

Here’s what each of the friends has to teach us about marketing.

Joey Tribbiani: Be tenacious and adaptable in pursuing your goals

Joey faces countless setbacks in his career as an actor. Whether it’s cancelled movies or failed auditions, Joey keeps bouncing back to pursue his dream role. He changes course multiple times, tries new things, and isn’t afraid to fail.

Eventually, of course, Joey gets his “big break” when he’s cast in a soap opera.

This tenacity can be invaluable in marketing.

As you work towards your goals, you’re bound to hit a few bumps along the road. Failing is how you learn what works – and what doesn’t.

By embracing your failures, learning from them, and trying new tactics, you can refine your marketing to help achieve your goals.

Rachel Green: Don’t be afraid of change

In the pilot episode, Rachel abandons her life (and her wedding) to start afresh with her new friends in New York City.

Before she runs into Central Perk in her wedding dress, her life had been following a very different path. It wasn’t a bad path, per se, but it was the wrong one for her.

By starting over, Rachel is able to build the life and future she really wants, ultimately securing her dream fashion job in Paris.

Sometimes, big changes can be what your marketing needs to get on track. What worked once may no longer be as effective, or perhaps your current strategy is leading you somewhere you didn’t want to go.

Moving on from what’s familiar can be scary, but continuing on the wrong path could mean never realising your goals.

Of course, you don’t necessarily need to change everything – even Rachel retains many elements of her former self. But by being open to questioning every element of your marketing, you can define a path that suits you.

Chandler Bing: Know your audience and use the right tone

While all the friends are funny in their own way, Chandler can walk into any situation and make people laugh.

Chandler knows his friends well. He knows what will lift their spirits and what will make them laugh.

Although laughter might not be the reaction you’re looking for in your marketing, understanding your audience’s goals, their concerns, and how they like to be spoken to can help you elicit your desired response.

Tone is an important part of your brand identity. As Joey says to Chandler: “It’s not what you said, it’s the way you said it.” If you can find the right tone for your audience, you might find they’re much keener to talk to you.

Monica Geller: Be precise and accurate

Famously, Monica is a stickler for precision. Her furniture must be arranged just so, the flowers on her bedding must face the right way, and her toilet paper must be folded to a point.

Precision and accuracy can be hugely important in marketing, not least for financial planners. Spelling and grammatical mistakes, incorrect information, and broken links can tell your audience that you don’t value accuracy.

And if you’re careless with your marketing, can they trust you to be careful with their finances?

That’s why, at The Yardstick Agency, we have comprehensive checking processes in place to ensure everything we deliver is of the highest standard. You can rely on us to ensure every word, every punctuation mark, and every asset is just right.

That way, your clients know they can rely on you to handle their financial plans with diligence, care, and attention.

Phoebe Buffay: Don’t be afraid to show your personality

No one shows “personality” quite like “Princess Consuela Banana-Hammock” herself.

Phoebe is unashamedly her authentic self throughout all 10 seasons. She dresses, says, and does whatever she feels like – and her friends love her for it.

As a financial planner, you shouldn’t be afraid to show some personality in your marketing. Your website, content, and social media posts should help your audience get to know you. It’s how you start building trust and establishing a relationship before even speaking to a client.

Finding the right balance can be difficult. It might not be wise to share everything about yourself. But by sharing a little more of your personality and being authentic, you can help build stronger relationships with your audience.

Ross Geller: Show your passion for what you do

If anyone loves talking about their work, it’s Ross. He’s passionate about palaeontology and isn’t shy about sharing his dinosaur facts with anyone who will listen.

When you’re passionate about what you do, it shows up in your work. Your clients can see that you’re driven to help them achieve their goals and enjoy supporting them.

But, as a financial planner, you might not be passionate about marketing. Perhaps you see marketing as a means to an end – something that will help you do more of what you really love.

And that’s okay. Because at The Yardstick Agency, we’ve got marketing passion to spare. We love empowering our clients to achieve their goals, whether that’s revitalising their brand, building their dream website, or showing up consistently with informative, engaging content and social media posts.

Sadly, the “Friends” are unavailable for marketing work. But if you’re looking for a tenacious, precise, and passionate team to help you take on a marketing refresh, engage your audience, and express your personality…

I’ll be there for you.

To find out how the Yardstick team can be there for you, email hi@theyardstickagency.co.uk or call 0115 896 5300. We’d love to explore how we can help achieve your marketing goals.