(Photo by malik ml williams)

For many people, marketing is the process of trying to convince people that what you offer should matter to them. Your job is to understand what unmet need people have and show how the product or service you’re offering solves their need. Once accomplished, your job is more about sales – persuading them that you’re providing a great value for their needs.

However, if you’re a local business, instead of trying to convince locally, start reaching out locally. Help those in your community to improve their lives. Find ways to really matter to them,  both as a business and as a citizen. This process is what marketing used to be about – building trust in YOU. Such old-fashioned marketing is slower, but deeper. With modern marketing, people are deluged with marketing messages, and trying to get their attention can be exhausting to everyone. But ultimately trust is built through experience. Give potential customers a chance to build trust in you through your actions (at no cost).

“Old Fashioned” (Cee Lo Green)

My loves’ old fashioned
But it still works
Just the way it isThis love is classic
And not just simply because
I say it is
It’s right on time (right on time)
And it’s timeless (timeless)
And it’ll be right here, for always

My loves’ old fashioned
So be it, I’m set in my ways
Hush child, just listen
Don’t it sound just like the good old days

Well it’s right on time (right on time)
And it’s timeless (timeless)
And it’ll be right here, for always (always)

My love’s right one time (right on time)
And it’s timeless (timeless)
I’ll be right here for always

Oooo… people they gather round, and they wonder how
Are we in love right here and now
I just smile cause true love doesn’t go out of style
Ooh… right on time, Ooh, yes,
Ooh… on time, ooh timeless
I’ll be here, for always