Gather round everybody! Today is Judgment Day. Let’s bring out
those old scoundrels, the Seven Deadly Marketing Sins, and see
what they have to say about our lives as marketers.
What do you have to say, Pride?
I am Pride. I fall in love with my product, with no thought to
whether there is any market for it. When I discover that there
is no market for my product, I continue to spend money on
advertising, even when it is apparent that nothing will come of
it. I am willing to go broke marketing something there is no
market for because I insist that it is a genius idea.
Okay, that was very insightful, Pride. Let’s move on to Greed.
I am Greed. I want to sell my product, but I am not willing to
spend any money to do it. I don’t care how important marketing
is. I can sell my product without it. I don’t want to spend a
dime more than I have to. I like my money to stay where it is,
even if it means I never make any more money.
Wow, Greed! You are one frugal sin! How about you, Wrath? Can
you add to what Greed shared with us?
I am Wrath. My advertising didn’t work right away! That makes
me so mad! I don’t think that this advertising is ever going to
work. That’s it. I give up. I hate losing money on something
that isn’t going to work. Yeah, yeah, so I just started
advertising yesterday. BUT I WANT RESULTS AND I WANT THEM NOW!
Wrath, you and Greed should get together. You have a lot in
common. Now, Envy, I’m certain that you have something a little
more constructive to add.
I am Envy. I want to do exactly what others are doing, even if
it means trying to sell in an already saturated market. I will
assume that, if I do what others are doing, I will succeed in
marketing my product. I don’t want to figure out a unique
selling position for my own product. I will just do what those
other people are doing and not worry about finding an edge. I
just want to make some money, like that other guy.
Envy, Envy, Envy. Didn’t anyone ever tell you to figure out what
your own strengths are and go with them? On to you, Gluttony.
I am Gluttony. I spent all my money on marketing, every penny.
I blew it all and it didn’t even work. Of course, I didn’t
really test the success of a marketing strategy before I spent
all my money on it, but that shouldn’t matter, should it. I
mean, I spent SOOO MUCH MONEY. I marketed on radio and
television and through direct mail. Maybe I should have
researched a little more about my target market before I spent my
entire marketing budget. Too late now. I’m broke!
Sorry about that, Gluttony. You’re up Sloth!
I am Sloth. I don’t bother to research the market before I begin
marketing. It is too much effort to find out what the market
wants. I don’t really like to ask my customers why they bought
from me, or go to discussion groups to see what kind of marketing
works for different target personalities. That would take a lot
of movement and I don’t want to strain myself.
Well, we don’t want to take any more of your time and energy,
Sloth. Last but not least, we have...Lechery?
I am Lechery. I lose interest in customers after a sale. I
don’t understand the value of a lifetime customer. As soon as
the sale is over, they are out the door, and I don’t even care.
Sometimes I say I will call, offer them some promotion or other,
but I never do it. They’re just customers. There are plenty of
other fine customers out there. None of them are special. I get
what I want out of them and I get lost. I don’t want some needy
customer hanging around all the time, wanting to employ my
services or give me money for my products. Talk about cramping
my lifestyle!
That’s it folks. The Seven Deadly Marketing Sins have laid it
all out for you. So what do you think? Are you going to
marketing heaven or will you suffer eternal marketing torment?
About the Author
Alvin Apple helps everyday people start businesses they will
enjoy. Then he teaches them how to succeed. Read all his
helpful strategies, including his latest article, "Why I Harass
People I Like" at http://AlvinApple.com. Reach Alvin at
801-328-9006 or mailto:alvin@drnunley.com.