MPM

I recently had a friendly debate with a potential client about marketing his company.  I had suggested he consider advertising more and he said it wasn’t necessary since most of his business comes via WORD OF MOUTH:The magical phenomenon where customers share positive experiences they’ve had with your business with friends and family who become potential customers.

What many small business owners don’t understand is that marketing is simply a way of controlling the coversation.

Of course I use the term “control” loosely.  As Brian Clark at CopyBlogger.com explains you and your company won’t be the real “star” of the conversation…

People tell stories about themselves. They even buy things in order to say something about themselves.

They don’t give a hoot about your story unless it furthers their own personal narrative. If it does, your story comes along for the ride.

If not… too bad for you.

You’re not the star of this story. Smart marketers don’t even try to be the star.

Smart marketers want to be indispensible supporting characters.

So the real question to ask yourself is,

• “How important is my company/service/product to my customers? “
• “What does my product say about my customer?”

Once you answers questions such as these you’ll find it easier to make your business a part of your customers everyday lives.