Archive for relationship marketing
Your Online Business As Spiritual Therapy
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No business runs without challenges.
And certainly an online business offers even more than its share – both internal and external. But an emotionally and financially rewarding shift takes place when you change your mindset to see your business online as a form of spiritual therapy.
The internal challenges — everything that rattles and challenges who you’ve been and how you experience and understand yourself.
Even if you’re fairly savvy in the world of business, due to the volatile nature of doing business online there can be even more radical
- wake-up calls
- major melt-downs
- leaps to success
just to name a few of the “adventures” that can leave you dazed and sleepless.
The external challenges — everything that comes at you from the outside world like all that Internet technology to manage and master.
There are those affiliates and joint venture partners who
- let you down
- don’t send out for you,
- may even refuse to pay you the affiliate commissions due to you for your good efforts on their behalf.
As a Heart-based, Soft Sell Marketer, have you tried to avoid developing the thick skin that allows Hard Sell marketers to disregard their conscience as you watch them make huge deposits generated from their online business accounts?
Instead, if anything, you may think you’re too thin skinned, and maybe you’ve even been told that “You’re kind of sensitivity wont’ work in business.” We have.
Well, you’re NOT too sensitive.
You are a wonderfully feeling-filled human who knows you are connected to all of life, and you ARE sensitive to what happens to your customers and to yourself.
That’s why it’s extremely powerful to understand your online business as a kind of spiritual therapy. Because that helps you respect and learn from every disorienting and disheartening experience you have — and this is not always easy.
We have, and more and more we feel those dark times as blessings for our spiritual growth and awakening. It takes practice, but you can too.
That way you build your business while you grow your Self, because your business and your Self are reflections of each other.
Because It’s All in the Connections,
Judith & Jim
So in the middle of those maddening moments, listen for Your Soul’s Calling. That’s the voice to rely on.
Soft Sell Marketing Misconceptions – A Dime a Dozen
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Recently I read a blog post comparing soft sell with hard sell and the writer listed several of the many soft sell marketing misconceptions.
The Writer Wrote: “But in the race to present one’s personality to the client, it’s important to keep in mind that these soft factors are likely to result in new work only if the proposed soft sell involves something that the prospect or referral source actually believes will address a personal need. Much of the friendly, hey-I’m-really-nice marketing plans miss that mark entirely.”
This was my comment:
Misconceptions regarding soft sell have become a dime a dozen and it’s arguable they’re worth even that.
The idea that soft sell is — friendly, hey-I’m-really-nice marketing plans — would of course miss the mark. This notion arises from traditional hard sell marketers whose focus on Get The Check precludes them from really understanding the process of relationship marketing that serves the customer, serves the seller, and makes a profit.
To focus on presenting one’s personality, and under the pressure of being in a competitive race while doing it, can only be crippling, because it takes all of the real connection, the real emotion out of the process.
Presenting one’s personality is mechanical. To believe you have to present is a sure sign of insecurity and a lack of confidence that leads to thinking – “Oh I better present a good face if I’m going to make this work.” Used-car-salesman anyone?
First and foremost, clients are looking to have their problems solved – WIIFM – what’s in it for me. And yes, the best client relationships are built on a personal relationship but not at the expense of getting the job done.
Because It’s All in the Connection,
Jim
The Heart of Marketing, our #1 bestseller, will give you practical insights into how Soft Sell marketing can work for you — for your profits and your soul.
Relationship Marketing – A Politician’s Missed Moment
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Last night Judith and I went to a gathering of the Las Vegas Social Register – a typical networking event where relationship marketing is the whole point.
As I was roaming around looking for the next person to speak with, I approached a woman who was wearing an American flag scarf. It turns out she was a politician running for a seat in the Nevada State Senate.
I’d never spoken to an elected politician nor anyone who was running for office so I was intrigued. I spent about twenty minutes talking with her — or rather with her talking to me.
You would think that relationship marketing would be a staple in her running-for-office tool box, but as it turned out, not so.
She told me about her 88 year-old mother, and her daughter, and that she’d lived in Las Vegas her whole life, and community was very important to her.
I told her about my father who’d worked in the Detroit factories.
After I walked away, Judith asked about my conversation and I said, “She never asked me one question. Not one.”
“What don’t you tell her that,” Judith suggested. So I did.
I returned to the senatorial hopeful and reached out with my card, which she hadn’t asked for during our 20 minute chat, and I gently said:
“Are you aware that, when we were together, you never asked me one question?”
“What?” She was clearly surprised.
“You never asked me one question.”
“I was impressed by what you told me about your father in Chicago.”
“My father never lived in Chicago. He was in Detroit.”
“Well, you know, the factories, Detroit, Chicago. I was impressed . . .”
Relationship marketing? No. Monologue marketing was more like it.
“Just remember,” I cautioned, “if you want my vote, it’d be best if you try to find out about what I need and what I think. I’m the constituent.”
She smiled awkwardly and I bid her good night.
As I walked away, her last appeal to me, albeit rather weakly, was “I hope I can still get your vote.” 
No, I don’t think so. Why?
Because It’s All in the Connection,
Jim
The Net of Gems
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You may not have heard of the Net of Gems. It’s an Indian image where every gem in the net reflects all the other gems in the net.
And there is a Buddhist doctrine called “mutual arising.” It speaks of the cause of the universe being the common “action-influence” of all beings. In other words we are all mutually part of the cause of the universe arising.
And there is a Sanskrit term — Tat Tvam Asi — which means ‘Thou Art That.”
So why are we writing about these esoteric images and ideas?
To say it in one word — interdependence.
We’ve written a lot about how we are all interdependent. We co-create this life we live together for better or worse. We are all gems in the net reflecting one another.
So as marketers, we must remain conscious about and sensitive to our responsibility to those we market to that we treat them with the respect of Tat Tvam Asi – you are me and I am you.
We must be aware of how we treat others — overtly or subtly – in our marketing because as we treat others so we treat ourselves.
Much of what passes as marketing, especially on the Internet, is more like hammering, and is often devoid of any sense of human connection and any sense of the consequence of that absence of human connection.
We see that all the time everywhere and we know you do as well.
It’s not metaphysical claptrap to say we are all connected. It’s a simple, demonstrable fact. You are to us and we are to you. We are all gems in the net, each one of us reflecting the colors of every other one of us – as we said – for better or worse.
So how can you make it better?
We work to make it better with this blog and the other programs we do. That’s why we focus on spiritual marketing, relationship marketing, integrity marketing and selling. Different words for the same reality.
Join us in this heart-based commitment to stop the blindness, the abuse in the marketplace — in the ways you deliver it and the ways you receive it.
Remember you are us and we are you – Tat Tvam Asi.
Because It REALLY IS All in the Connection,
Judith & Jim
Paradigm Shift – Soft Sell Includes Marketer AND Customer
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Focusing on the Soft Sell paradigm shift, we’ve been writing a lot about Soft Sell marketers — conscious, heart-based, aware of their emerging sense of responsibility to their customers, as well as their responsibility to themselves in every transaction.
And we have been thinking about and articulating the principles and tactics of Soft Sell, relationship-based marketing.
But what about the Soft Sell end user— the customer? What responsibility do customers have in the Soft Sell paradigm? That’s what this post is all about. Read More→
The Heart of Marketing – #10 on Morgan James 2009 Best Seller List
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Morgan James Publishing, a leading provider of books from entrepreneurs with vital information, inspiration and guidance that readers need to be successful compiles an annual list of its best-selling entrepreneurial books based on purchases by its retail customers nationwide.
Our 6th book The Heart of Marketing – Love Your Customers and They Will Love You Back, which is our manifesto for spiritually rich relationship marketing online, otherwise known as soft sell, heart-based marketing was #10 on Morgan James Best Seller List for 2009!
The Heart of Marketing has been received with outstanding praise by many leading marketers – online and off. And since the book resulted from a survey about online marketing for service providers, this statement on the book cover from David Riklan, whose business caters to the needs of service providers, summarizes the depth and power of this new best seller.
“I really like the message embodied in “The Heart of Marketing.” Part marketing, part self growth, part spiritual expansion, this book opens the way for your much larger future while changing the way we’ve all thought about business and making money.”
David Riklan – Founder, SelfGrowth.com
For too long traditional marketing and sales training has focused on getting the sale at any cost. And that is partially responsible for the current economic tragedy that has hurt so many people around the world. And that’s what led us, as psychologists and relationship experts, to see the need for a new, evolutionary advancement in commerce – marketing inspired by consciousness, conscience, caring and commitment to community. And that’s why The Heart of Marketing is such a passion and work of love for us both.
From all over the world we receive feedback from grateful readers:
“Your book The Heart of Marketing was excellent. It’s a must have that’s for sure. Thanks for writing it!” Michelle Fredericks, Dongducheon-si, South Korea
Morgan James Publishing is an innovative book producer, encouraging entrepreneurs to expand their businesses with books that not only provide guidance and education for the readers, but are also entrepreneurial vehicles for their authors. All of Morgan James titles are available at your favorite bookseller both online and off.
For more information about The Heart of Marketing, and to see all the Bonus Gifts provided by leaders in relationship marketing online when anyone gets the book through Amazon, go to http://www.TheHeartOfMarketing.com
Hard Sell and Tyrannosaurus Rex
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Evolution is a very demanding task master. Either adapt to changing circumstances or follow in the footsteps of the Tyrannosaurus Rex – i.e. extinction.
The same process holds in every area of our lives. We either adapt and adopt or die — literally or effectively.
Evolution’s rule is now being felt in the area of Internet commerce.
—>>> Because customers have so much more access to information regarding the products they’re looking to purchase, and—>>> Because they can shop the worldwide Internet and have so many more outlets where they can buythe Internet has become a buyers-driven marketplace so that sellers have to be much more aware of the buyer’s needs.But it’s not just the buyer’s needs that have become prominent, but how the seller views the buyer and, as a result, how the seller treats the customer.Here’s what we mean. Read More→
Thank You for Spreading Love All Year Long Through Relationship Marketing Online
Posted by: | Comments As a deeply valued member of our online community, we 
for your interest in and commitment to marketing with heart, with love, with consciousness and conscience! You are a treasured voice in the evolutionary change going on in commerce — bringing spirituality into the buying-selling partnership around the world.It is because of you that we are committed to bringing forward the ever deeper insights we gain as we plumb more deeply into what it means to be a soft sell, love-based marketer.
- Externally — out in the world with clients/customers and in the financial success of your business and
- Internally — as we – Judith & Jim – expand in our capacity to bring more and more love into what we do and what we provide for you as we all learn more about Bridging Heart and Marketing.
So a Big for All You Do to spread love all year long including relationship marketing online and offline by solving problems! Because as you transform your customers lives, you change the world.
And as you share with us your revelations, your inspirations, and your new successes — you infuse greater love into our own transformation as we continue in our own personal and professional growth — and all that we are excited to create for you.
That is the loving give-and-take that we want for all people on this planet. And we know it’s what you want as well.
Because you are a member of the Soft Sell, Love-based World-wide Community — we know you have it in your mind and in your heart to show your love and be generous with your care — providing relationship marketing by solving problems that help heal the world.
We for all that you do – and for Who You ARE! And Wish You Happy Holidays!
Because It’s All in the Connection,
Judith & Jim
Traditional hard-core sales training teaches the marketer to aim for the money transaction – first and foremost. So most of the time that means that the real needs, even the real problems of the buyer be damned . . . and then some. And no surprise that’s left a bad taste in most people’s hearts and in their deep-rooted sense of integrity.
That’s why you’re seeing more and more focus on relationship marketing by solving problems thereby developing the genuine relationship between marketer and buyer, taking time to speak to the real needs of your buyer, and allowing the buying moment to evolve through deep understanding, trust, and respect.
What does that look like when you are the representative of your business? Read More→
Soft Sell Marketing — Marketing to the Survivor of Sexual Abuse
Posted by: | CommentsWe’ve been asked, “Please provide marketing ideas and insights for marketing to people who are survivors of sexual abuse.”
The need for sensitivity to the delicate issue of sexual abuse is paramount in your marketing ideas and marketing approach—and that entails two key points:
