As I deleted another day of over 600 junk mails from my junk filter, wrapped up skimming through 3K unread deletes in case I missed anything critical (is anything critical anymore?), it struck me that I suck at marketing. Oh sure, I’ve read about it, learned about it at live events and virtual classrooms, been coached on it, heck over the last decade and more, I’ve invested over $100K in my marketing education. And yet, I feel like I’m moving backwards and doing all the things I’m not supposed to do. Can you relate?
- I worry about open rates because if I’m not getting through it’s because I’m not communicating effectively or being persuasive.
- I don’t believe in guilt, so I won’t put you on a guilt trip like a lot of marketers do.
- I can’t lie so false promises are out of the question. . . .
- I stand behind my work 110%, if you aren’t happy, I’m not happy and I’ll work to make you happy or refund. (I’ve had two in 5 years, but it still bothers me.)
- I don’t have a hostage clause where you have to stick with a program and prove to me you implemented or my guarantee is null and void. (Feels like signing in blood!)
- I’m real, human, and vulnerable and don’t have a very thick skin. (Oh and my direct phone number is at the bottom of every email.)
- I lose sleep over prospects that don’t commit because I see them months and even years later, still stuck where they were instead of making the difference they wanted to and are capable of and deserve.
You see, I really don’t believe in marketing, what I believe in is providing opportunities for transformation, both business and personal. I know that when I can connect you to that place of your purpose with passion, you are going to ignite and become magnetic to your ideal clients and customers. They’ll flock to you because you resonate with them in a different way than anyone else they come across. You’ll “click.” It’s a chemistry thing as much as anything else. You can’t force chemistry, you can falsely create it but it will explode in your face when you do! (I see some nodding going on here.)
So I’m going to suggest that you stop marketing. That’s right, just stop. And instead, start being yourself, be vulnerable, be real and tell the stories of the people you’ve worked with, and how your work has changed their lives and their business. Whether you are a coach, an interior designer, a furniture craftsman, a carpet retailer, an attorney, an accountant, it still applies. When you share the stories of others, as well as yourself, you will have used the most powerful kind of marketing there is, unmarketing . . .
I’d love your thoughts here in the most marketed season of the year! And if you want to find me, then click the big social buttons over there on the right and I’m a click away. Better yet, reach out in real time. 404-788-6528 (I know, it’s unorthodox but I’m doing it anyway.)
