Got a transformational experience to share? We’re in the inspiration business, you and I. But most inspirationists hate marketing.
Marketing reminds me of gravity; it gathers together and connects the stuff of minds (and souls).
Marketing also reminds me of light; it converts the stuff of minds (and souls) into the light of inspiration. So we can see and be attracted to that light. Yeah, that’s what marketing does.
Create value and be visible.
Gen. John H. Jacobsmeyer, Jr. (my Dad)
That’s what my dad said, and what he did. He consistently brought value to engineering design and to leadership, but he also made sure his work was quietly visible in the right circles (with his own “tribe” as it were).
Create Value
As Dad would say: no point in doing great stuff if no one can see or hear or feel it. We want to see your light, hear your voice, feel your magic.
You can make something in the material world (like my sister-in-law’s jewelry). Or you can tell stories, make music, provide services (like my website design biz). Concentrate on this “stuff” first, and you can then use marketing to make it visible. But, stuff of value first. Always.
In order to be irresistibly visible (next section) though, guess who you need to convert first to the value of your stuff? You! If you can’t see it, no one else will. Ever.
And don’t tell me you can’t be sure of your value. Maybe you’re not a thirty-year expert at whatever your stuff is; you’ll always be learning anyway. Deep down inside, you know how great you are, how great you can be, at whatever it is that expands your heart and soul. Stop. Feel that. Know.
Be Visible
Let’s assume, then, that you create “star stuff” that certain people will “gravitate” to if they know about it. And since they’ll gravitate, they’ll feel the groove of it and be happy to pay for it. Yay!
Being visible is essential to your well-being, and the well-being of your entire client base. They are waiting for you.
But, no, you don’t have to take the “used-car salesman” approach. Remember, you are providing real energetic value that meshes nicely with who you really are and what you’re passionate about. You won’t “bother” people by expressing your joy and excitement about your stuff.
If you are extremely introverted and just want to make stuff, then hire or profit-share with someone more extroverted who believes in you and your star stuff and knows where and how to make you visible. Explore the different ways you can trade or pay for visibility. But don’t stop being visible!
As long as you are visible regularly (on the Web, in your brick-and-mortar shop sign, on a billboard, in community events), you can do it your own way (quietly, loudly, exuberantly, calmly). Just gotta share it one way or the other on a platform of your choice.
So, do it yourself, or get with a partner (I’m extroverted, I can help!). I want to see your star stuff. Let’s go!