Special offer

Are You Marketing To Make It Rain, Or Just Selling Umbrellas?

Reblogger
Real Estate Agent with RLAH@Properties AB95346

What a wonderful way to explain the distinctions between selling and marketing! 

Original content by Ron and Alexandra Seigel DRE00893924

There is a distinct difference between marketing and selling.  Selling is short-term thinking. Marketing is building a business to last. 

 

An example of selling is the guy on the street who hawks cheap umbrellas to those who forgot theirs that morning. His business depends on the forgetful and on the weather. When the sale is complete, he does not have a long-term customer nor does he have a referral source to capitalize on.

 

Marketing means standing out in a sea of sameness by distinguishing yourself though the way you do business.  It is based on a plan that includes creating a loyal customer base. When you are thinking long-term, you are able to focus more on your clients than on your immediate personal need to close a quick deal.  Marketing comes from a mindset of self-confidence, rather than being driven by fear and insecurity.

 

Jan’s ski store in Deer Valley, Utah, is the only place we buy ski equipment. When the resort first opened, we came in with ill-fitting ski boots that we bought in Los Angeles.  They went out of their way to make our boots comfortable without charging us.  They also invited us to try their demo skis without charge.  This was long range thinking and marketing at its best.

 

At the end of that ski season, we bought new boots and skis, and have remained loyal customers ever since. Recently at Jan’s, we noticed that a customer sitting next to us, who was being fitted for boots, needed to take an important phone call.   His fitter took off the boots and handed him a plush pair of slippers to wear, so that he could take the call in private.  The guy was dumbfounded and said, “Why are you are giving me slippers to wear?” The fitter responded, “Because, that is Jan’s way!”

 

Marketing is demonstrating your long-range thinking, which should be your distinctive brand of doing business, if you want to stand out from your competition.  Stop selling umbrellas and waiting for it to rain!  Instead, start marketing and become a rainmaker!

Written by Ron & Alexandra Seigel-

ABOUT:  Napa Consultants, International is the leader in brand strategy for the luxury real estate industry.  They work exclusively with professionals who are passionate about gaining or sustaining market leadership. With an expertise in personal branding, company branding, luxury real estate website design and social media marketing they help their clients become the breakaway brand in their marketplace.

Comments (10)

Peter Mohylsky, Beach Expert
PMI. Destin - Miramar Beach, FL
Call me at 850-517-7098

Nice repost of a great post.  I support the idea of Branding and then marketing that brand.

Jul 20, 2016 08:51 PM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Patricia. A great distinction by Ron and Alexandra! Enjoy your day!

Jul 20, 2016 09:25 PM
Alan Gross
PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company, Equal Housing Lender - Bethesda, MD
Loan Consultant

Patricia Kennedy You need to think long term. Like many things in live your marketing has to incubate with a lot of people.  If you try to sell them and then quit they are gone forever. It you market constantly and do things that make them remember you and feel good the sky is the limit. I can't remember how many loans have come a year or more after the first contact because I continued to keep in touch.

Jul 20, 2016 10:45 PM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

I really appreciate the reblog function and you always know how to pick them Patricia Kennedy. Thank you! 

Jul 21, 2016 01:28 AM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Patricia,

Thank you for reblogging this post.  Ron and I appreciate it.  Wishing you a glorious day.  A

Jul 21, 2016 02:14 AM
Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®
Lewisburg, WV
Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

Patricia, I saw this post and always enjoy reading  Ron and Alexandra's blog

Jul 21, 2016 03:38 AM
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Long term marketing is what I do...that is one thing about lead buying it is short term and you don't build a great following

Jul 21, 2016 05:08 AM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Patricia. A terrific choice for a re-blog. Alexandra and Ron have it down.

Jul 21, 2016 10:13 PM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Thank You Ptricia Kennedy,  Did not see this one the first time around.  Make it a great day!

Jul 22, 2016 11:46 PM
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

This is a great reblog and the message is right on. Have a good weekend Pat.

Jul 23, 2016 12:24 PM