Selling, Marketing, Branding: the Big Three Defined

Some words of wisdom from Myron Golden. I watched Myron on Think Media from the VidSummit in Dallas. He is a business consultant, best-selling author, public speaker, marketing consultant who began posting his Bible studies in a live format on YouTube and now has over 400,000 subscribers.

1. Selling is revealing value. The goal is to help the consumer purchase what they are looking for, providing them the best value you can for their money. It's not about trying to convince someone to buy something they don't want. It's about serving the consumer and revealing the value of your product or service in order to help them, not bully them or manipulate them.

2. Marketing is the art, and science, of discovering and developing in others a desire for your product or service or opportunity. The art of marketing is about the emotions, what people are feeling. The science is about the research and hard, cold, facts. The goal is to discover (research, gathering data) and developing in others the desire for your product or service because it has the value they need.

3. Brand building. A brand is a name that reminds you of a story. Each of us has a story to tell. Our companies have a history, a story to share. Premium branding makes others want to be a part of the story, your story. They want to be a part of something greater than themselves. They want to share in your success because it helps them grow, too.

The idea is to serve others. We put others first, do what's best for them, look out for their best interests, provide them value.

Wisdom from Weezy: A Dog with Unlimited Energy

I'm sitting on the couch looking at him and I can't help but laugh. Weezy is a small dog but has a big heart. He probably has a small brain, too, but that's another story. Let's just say Weezy won't be attending Harvard anytime soon. 

However, Weezy does have much to teach me. He's a walking encyclopedia of activity and curiosity. Constantly on the move, sniffing, wagging his tail, never stopping for long periods of time. He'll stop to eat but his food bowl rattles like a tambourine. Weezy is all action. 

As I shift my position on the couch, Weezy sniffs my shoe. Why? Who knows. The shoe is there and he has to sniff it. Here are some lessons from the wisdom of Weezy.

1. Success is defined by movement. It's hard to make any progress sitting still. If I'm going to accomplish anything, I've got to get off the couch and get to work. Weezy may sniff my shoe for no reason, but at least he's on the move. 

2. I've got to remain curious. Weezy is always looking for something. His curiosity is limitless. He knows there is something in the kitchen he must check out. A snack perhaps? What's under the couch? Success is often found when I become curious about something. I ask questions. I want answers. Why does that product work so well? Why am I not getting more action on my social media campaign? How can I improve on that idea? 

3. It's not how smart I am, but how much I'm willing to learn. Weezy is able to take directions and learn how to behave. He will sit when told to, especially if a doggie biscuit is a reward for doing so. He will ask to go outside, politely whining and making a face as if to say, "Hey, let me out!" I may not be the smartest person in the room, but I can learn. I have to remain teachable.  

4. Loyalty is perhaps Weezy's greatest trait. He is loyal to Aka, the other dog of the house. Aka and Weezy are best friends. They play and sleep side by side. Where Aka goes, Weezy follows. Loyalty to my family and friends is an important lesson to learn. In the work place, loyalty is earned and is perhaps the most valuable asset. Am I working hard to earn the trust and loyalty of those around me? 

Weezy just dropped by, looking up at me, curious about what I'm doing? "I'm doing some writing," I tell him. Thankful for a response, he waddles away wagging his tail, excited to see what's happening in the next room. 

Weezy