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If "They" Can Make Sales and Marketing Work, So Can You
By Steve Hurst | February 9, 2009
I love sales and marketing. For me, sales and marketing are so easy to understand and fun. For others, that’s not the case. Too many businesses try to make it more difficult than it is.
From time to time I’ve written about one of my hobbies, the art of ventriloquism and have mentioned various ventriloquists. One might say, “What does ventriloquism have to do with sales or marketing?”
The answer is….a lot actually. In fact, when talking with clients about sales and marketing, I like to use ventriloquism as an example.
The first thing I hear from most people and their businesses when I start coaching them on certain aspects of sales and marketing that they should start doing in their business is…..”That won’t work in my business”…..or….”My business is different.” If I had a nickel for every time I heard that…I could retire.
I’ve stated many times in the past…..”selling is selling and marketing is marketing” and it’s universal to every business. That is why I like to use “ventriloquism and ventriloquists” as an example. If something so obscure as ventriloquists can make it in the sales and marketing world….any other business or service can, too.
But, just like any other business, ventriloquists have to know “what business their in”. I know lots of ventriloquists…some “part-timers” and some “pros” who rely on ventriloquism to support them and their families. Some, do a great job at the “sales and marketing” aspects of their business. Unfortunately, there are others who fail miserably at it.
Why is that? The ones that fail usually have a two fold problem. First off, they don’t take their ventriloquism “business” seriously and they “play” at it. I see many businesses do this same thing. They too, “play” at their business.
The second reason for failing is not recognizing “what business they are really in.” They think they are in the “ventriloquist” business when actually they’re not. Depending on the ventriloquist….some use if for comedy and “entertaining”, some use ventriloquism to teach and are “teachers” and still others use if for many different reasons.
Bottom line, whether you’re a ventriloquist or any other business…..you have to know…”what business you are in.”
And when you know this….then you can put together a sales and marketing strategy that works for you and targets the type of customers that will benefit from your product or services.
To Your Success,
Steve
www.spnmarketing.com
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Steve Hurst has been working in sales and marketing for over 30 years. For 10 years he had his own computer business which included website building and consulting. The past 5 years he’s owned his own Business & Technology consulting business. Using his sales and marketing skills along with his knowledge of technology, he’s helping his clients increase their sales and profits by utilizing today’s technology.
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All writings here are copyrighted by Steve Hurst. You may not use them without written permission but you may link to the posts or give out a link to the posts.
Topics: Business, Marketing, Personal, Sales, Success | No Comments »