Marketing 101: How to Sell Without Being a Jerk

“Marketing is not just about selling products and making a profit; it's also about being considerate.”

That's right, you heard me correctly. Marketing is all about being kind, thoughtful, and empathetic toward others. Not just your customers, but also your coworkers, competitors, and even your competitors' customers. This is inspired from an amazing article written by Derek Sivers.

Marketing is often thought of as the art of persuasion, but it's just as much about being considerate of your audience. This means understanding their needs, wants, and pain points and using them to create a message that resonates with them.

In other words, effective marketing is all about putting yourself in your audience's shoes.

And marketing was done in this manner until it all changed, with the introduction of stats.

"Marketing was a free spirit, always coming up with creative ideas and taking risks.” But then along came metrics, the ruthless killer, who choked the life out of Marketing's wild streak.

Now all “Marketing” does is sit in a corner, staring at numbers and trying to justify its existence in the most cost-effective way possible. "R.I.P. Marketing!” We'll always remember the good times.

Blindly following stats has made marketers even more inclined to follow dishonest methods, be it misleading, falsifying, or forging information.

Consumers today are savvier than ever, and they can spot a dishonest or misleading message a mile away. Being transparent and honest will actually help to build trust and ensure that they’re more likely to engage with your brand in the long term.

Thus, if you want to be a successful marketer, forget about ruthless strategies and cutthroat tactics. Just remember to always be considerate, and you'll be sure to find success in the world of marketing and in life.

Yours,
Shasha