Marketing

Initially, I wanted to start my first marketing blog with the title “10 strategies, which make you a successful marketer”.

And it was indeed a trendy mask to my first post!

These headings may go like 10 ways, 10 strategies, 10 reasons, 10 logics, 13, 23, 40, 50, 100, the most viable ideas of getting this done or executing that. And you know what, this number game undoubtedly works. During my research before writing this blog, I too typed “10 things to become a good marketer” in the Google search box. I always get Google search pages full of blogs, having similar titles. I clicked on the forth link, placed on first search engine page, headlined as “10 things successful marketer do every day” inc.com. However, I just read all headers while leaving the inside story that saved my time and effort. It is a strategy to skim and learn more. A smart game! Right?

Do you remember, we used to learn only headings while making our own stories under those headings in exams as we were pursuing B.tech, MBA and other courses? Even a few of my classmates were writing songs with appropriate subject titles. Another way of mugging up was to create a formula like BODMAS (where every alphabet depicts a header) then we were ready to go to the examination hall. It is easy and eternal way to block the data in our think pots.

Our brains get wired, patterned and caged by these rules, strategies and formulae as we think that something would work for us too because it has worked for thousands of others. However, I rarely follow something conventional. So rather than listing 10 rules for being a marketer, I will take the help of an anecdote here.

You would have heard stories of Mulla Nasruddin several times. His every story makes sense. I have picked one of the best tales to explain what it takes to be the best marketer.

So the narration goes like this. (Source: moralstories26.com)

Once Mulla was invited to a party at the mayor’s place. As he went to the party, dressing up in very fancy attire along with an eye-catching turban, the mayor gravitated towards his turban and wished to buy it. However, Mulla quoted the price much higher than the actual price, charged by a local merchant in the local market. The local merchant heard this conversation, went to the mayor and inflamed him against Mulla Nasruddin.

The mayor called Mulla and said, “Your price sounds immoderate.”

Now, to convince the mayor, Mulla Nasruddin asserted, “Well… my price may sound costly for this turban because I bought it on that price. Moreover, I know, except you, who the hell on this earth can have an exquisite taste to buy such a turban at this cost.”

The mayor immediately got flattered and paid the desired money to Mulla for his turban.

Mulla won the mayor’s heart by complimenting whereas the local merchant wanted to bet on the price. Eventually, the heart won overhead.

The moral of the story is, just understanding your client’s personality, behaviour and attitude after that being eloquently colloquial would do wonders while selling.

All marketing aspirants and hardcore salespeople should watch the movie “Jerry Maguire”. It has one dialogue, delivered by Rod Tidwell(Jerry Maguire’s client, where Jerry is a sports agent.)

“Show me the money.” Rod repeatedly says it as many times as he meets Jerry in the movie.

It’s not just about money, though. It’s only 5% about the money and 95% about the friendship, both friends gradually built along the journey, which turned towards monetary success in the end. Every time I watch this movie, I grasp something new. We are not robots dealing with computerized machines here. We are simple people with flesh, blood, bones and emotions. It is good to learn patterns and strategies in a business school. On the contrary, it takes a lot more to get on the nerves of human creatures.

These days the concept of emotional marketing is creating a buzz. Pinching and provoking emotions proliferates sales.

“Marketing 5.0” by “Phillip Kotler” can unquestionably be the best book to learn marketing theories however it takes a human touch to create a long-lasting relationship with our clients and customers. Furthermore, this human feel includes our ability to observe client’s needs and problems, then commitment to providing solutions.  We should have a disciplined and hassle-free process while rendering our services. Being empathetic towards customers creates a warm rapport. We should comprehend customers’ body (verbal and non-verbal) language while talking about what our clients want to listen.

Now I feel, we have initiated our conversation in the right direction. I will extend it further in the next blog.

Till Then Happy Marketing!!