For the most part of my career, Marketing has been my bread and butter. And through the years, it has been a hit and miss approach. As the saying goes, you win some, you lose some.
Here are some marketing lessons I learned from experience and tips I would like to share for those who are into the business of selling their products and services, whether you are employed or a business owner:
1. There is power in prayer.
Do not underestimate the power of prayer. Keep the faith. Do not forget the Lord (Deuteronomy 8:18) and you will be blessed. Tithe. But tithe because you love the Lord. Do not tithe because you expect something in return.
2. Brand name is key.
Selling a known brand takes away the burden of convincing your clients. If you're selling ALI properties (real estate), PAMI managed funds (mutual funds), insurance products by Chartis Philippines, it relieves you of the extra work that you need to do to sell the company to the client. The battle is halfway done when the client is already sold on the company you represent.
3. Referrals will save your business.
Whether you're into network marketing or not, much of your sales will rely on referrals. Referrals can come in many forms: word-of-mouth (if they like your service or product), within sphere of influence of your client (who has good referrals), and even from your own network or circle of friends, family, business partners, associates, colleagues.
4. You can market on a shoestring budget.
In my more than 30 years' experience in marketing and selling all sorts of products - from real estate, insurance, mutual funds, foods, books, and other knick knacks that are worthy of garage sale, I did not spend a fortune especially when I went on my own, that is, from corporate employment to being self-employed.
Thank God for the internet. Before social networking sites were born or became the "in" thing these days as I write this, I relied heavily on email marketing, forums and free online ad sites. Then came social networking sites like Multiply, Friendster, Facebook, Twitter etc. and a host of blogging sites and the world of marketing was never the same again, and I meant for the better.
5. Marketing is action.
If you have innovative marketing ideas and your thinking is out-of-the-box, it will not be evident if you will not put it into action. So whether you have ordinary or different ideas, the thing is you have to act on it. And the sooner you implement it, then the results curve will be shorter.
