Is Marketing A Dirty Word?

Market my self? Sell my self? The thought brought up connotations of a Used Car Salesman with a shinny gold tooth! Or the evangelist preacher with a diamond ring the size of a coffee cup. Marketing was a dirty word.

Does just the thought of having to get out there and promote yourself send you running for cover? It did me.

Actively promoting a business is way different than I have been use to. Fortunately my property management business is a needed and wanted business in our area. There has been more demand than supply. My new clients have come by word of mouth. My promotion has been good service. I was “remarkable”.

Starting a business online has been a whole new ball game. Instead of hiding behind my computer screen I decided to use my two tried and true rules.

1. To learn something you have to want to learn it.

2. Look!

A funny thing happened on my way to writing this post. I knew I wanted to use the Used Car Salesman as the idea of salesmanship at its worst. It just so happens, yesterday, I bought a car from a Used Car Salesman. (no gold tooth…ruby ring!) I had no plans for buying a car at this time. In fact I had just made an appointment to take my old car to get it serviced.

This was a lesson in selling and I took advantage of every second. I had parked in front of a used car lot while I went to see the Chinese Doctor. When I came out my husband showed me a Subaru sitting on the car lot….the rest is history. I bought the Subaru. I love it!

I looked at every step the salesman took. He was good! He knows that anyone stepping on his lot wants to buy a car. He made it happen.

The definition of Marketing: Conceiving, packaging and distribution of a product or service.

Whether you are new to the Internet and want to start an online business or an old hand, you can always learn something new about marketing.

Your assignment.

1. Decide you want to learn marketing.
   The days of just putting up a web site and having visitors just drop by are over. Unless you live in a small town, the days of putting up any business and having visitors just drop by is over. Billions and Billions of dollars are spent each year on advertising. You must spread the idea of you. So how do you do that?
2. Look at the video by Seth Godin. You can find it right here on this site or at TED.com. Write down the key points you get out of this video.
3. Look at marketing in your world. Go out and look at how people are marketing. What is marketed to the masses? What is marketed to the people who are really interested? What is remarkable? What have you remarked on?

Put on your marketer shoes and go LOOK!

To your success!

Sheila

P.S. Be aware of the niche markets. Ford markets to the masses, but the little guy who is selling the Jesus Fish on the back of a Ford has found a niche.

P.P.S. When I first looked at the Seth Godin video I thought “Who dressed this guy! His bald head is stands out!” Then I remembered, the shiny bald head IS Seth Godin. He doesn’t miss a trick.

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