"Cargo Cult" Sales, Marketing, & Finance: Social Media Marketing

"Cargo Cult' Sales & Marketing

During WW II cargo dropped from the sky in the South Pacific and Indonesia. The shipment included clothing and food from the U.S. government and also humanitarian missions. This phenomenon drew the attention of the local tribes who became known as "Cargo Cult" because they always stood waiting for the next package.

These tribes believed the cargo came from their ancestors and if they erected a landing strip, air towers, and planes made of bamboo then the cargo would appear because this is what it was like the last time they received a package. The cargo appears as a way of mysticism and magic instead of hard work and ingenuity.

In business we can wait for ideas to magically appear or we can produce the "cargo" ourselves. "Cargo Cult" Sales and Marketing blog was created to talk about the essentials for successful sales and marketing professionals. It covers some tips and observations to be more effective in your endeavors.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Social Media Marketing

There is a lot of buzz these days about utilizing social media today to advertise your business. Why is social media the best marketing channel to advertise? There are many ways to explain it, but it returns to the sales process.

1- Build Rapport

2- Provide Value

3- Close the Sale

Social media allows you to build a tremendous amount of rapport, trust, and credibility because you approach people more as a friend and less as a business looking to sell a product or service. This is why people purchase from people they like because they have that level of rapport with them.

Social Media also allows you to provide value in a more simple medium where clients and potential clients have access to information about your product or service in a click of a button or can watch a video and have their questions explained.

Close the sale...this is the final problem with social media is that more often than not it doesn't properly close the sale. It leaves too much up to the potential client and doesn't necessarily create urgency, invite to purchase or provide incentive to close the sale.

By utilizing your social media network and providing it in the framework of the sales process you can be more effective in what you are doing.

"Cargo Cult" Sales, Marketing, & Finance