Small Business Success Network

Is it just me or do all marketers seem to have issues with their inner marketer coming out a bit too strong? I have heard that a marketer can be sensed miles away: I think that’s true.

Marketing affects most things in my life; I find myself contemplating how to present to an audience, even if I shouldn’t be thinking that way. For example: I was searching for new broadcasting software and found an appealing option; however, I wanted to present it to my business partner, before completing the purchase. Between the time I found this software and the time I presented for consideration I already have a strategic plan of action in which I use to present it. Am I approaching it as my inner marketer or am I being diplomatic? I often ask myself this question, but as I’ve reviewed both how I presented it and how my partner received it, I’ve usually decided that it was my inner marketer who has spoken; hindsight is always 20/20.

Here’s another example of how my inner marketer has come out.

I recently created a Facebook page for my classmates from high school, as we are having a reunion this year, and Facebook is such a magnificent tool to connect with old friends and fellow Alumni. I started several discussions and I received great feedback, but when I tried to include them in the discussion of what we should set our custom URL to, they simply chuckled at me. They couldn’t see the importance of the URL for search engines and sharing. Once again my inner marketer came out; but this time it mingled with my extroverted personality and my sincere wish to engage my audience (classmates).

Can you relate to these stories? Are you sitting there nodding your head or laughing, all-the-while envisioning my inner marketer taking over my entire outlook on life?

I have another story to share though, where my inner marketer may again seem unbalanced.  I play an online game and have for over a decade now. In this game I lead a guild, which is basically a community inside the game. For this guild to succeed and continue to grow it needs members or followers, much like our businesses and websites. It needs dedicated long term members, and in order to flourish, a steady flow of new members. But when I set to recruit new members for this guild, I am once again taken control of by my inner marketer. But I shouldn’t. In this circumstance the inner marketer is unneeded. People react better to a more natural and objective approach than to a sales pitch about why they should join.

So you’ve read several examples of how my inner marketer manifests; now I’d appreciate hearing your opinion:

• How do you separate your inner marketer from the diplomat?
• What stories can you share about when your inner marketer took over?
• What tactics do you use to recruit and attract attention to communities that aren't business related?

I look forward to hearing your feedback and your stories!