Spiritual Marketing: How to Really Engage in Attraction Marketing
In network marketing, you are not just advertising the benefits of a product, hoping to make a sale, you are trying to get someone to join you in your business, to be a part of your team.
Hence the saying:
"People don't join companies, they join people."
But we all know this, right?
This is why we engage in attraction marketing strategies, such as those taught by Magnetic Sponsoring.
So why am I telling you this?
It is because I have been observing the conversations online regarding marketing and how many of us are tired of the "in-your-face" pushy marketing that is so rampant on the internet.
This got me thinking about how in attraction marketing we try to pull people towards us by honestly sharing our experiences and trying to help others by being a provider of solutions.
Then I realized that attraction marketing is in essence a very spiritual practice and I began to think about what I call "spiritual marketing".
What is Spiritual Marketing?
First of all, let me say that my spiritual beliefs are the foundation of my life, and I believe in a Higher Power whom I choose to call God.
However, I am not here to preach or discuss religion per se.
Secondly, spiritual marketing to me has nothing to do with using the "power of prayer" or the "law of attraction" to miraculously manifest a truckload of cash in your backyard.
Not that there's anything wrong with that.
The essence of spiritual marketing can be found in the Golden Rule:
"Do unto others as you would have others do unto you."
Here is the Wikipedia definition: "The ethic of reciprocity or "The Golden Rule" is a fundamental moral principle which simple means "treat others as you would like to be treated." It is arguably the most essential basis for the modern concept of human rights ."
Applying the Golden Rule in Network Marketing
As network marketers, we put ourselves out there as leaders and potential sponsors.
Keeping in mind the Golden Rule, this raises certain questions:
- why would someone want to join me in my business?
- how can I help, teach, and support others?
- what am I looking for in a sponsor?
- would I join me in my business?
These are important questions.
I will be writing more about spiritual marketing in the near future, and I would very much appreciate some feedback.
Please leave a comment as I am very interested to see what you think about this concept.
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February 15th, 2008 at 11:05 pm
This is a great article. I think if more people were to take time to think about what they attract, they would find not only their business would change, but their life in general.
Never Give Up,
Troy
February 15th, 2008 at 11:27 pm
Thanks Troy. It's interesting to step outside yourself and look at your life and discover what you have attracted.
February 16th, 2008 at 12:16 am
Hey Mark - interesting post. My ruler in command is definitely God also.
When I started to read this post I thought "very cool coin phrase re: attraction marketing."
Then I came to spiritual marketing.
So my thoughts were, as a marketer, I wouldn't answer the following questions:
* why would someone want to join me in my business?
* how can I help, teach, and support others?
* what am I looking for in a sponsor?
* would I join me in my business?
with a divinity in mind per se other than as you'd mentioned the golden rule. A great teaching methodology to follow certainly.
But it may attract those seeking out spiritual guidance/advice/research rather than marketing advice. Just a wild guess.
I think it'd be great to see the coin phrase: "attraction marketing" supported by the golden rule, but the phrase "spiritual marketing" in this realm seems a little, well, off the mark.
Just my two cents. I'm not trying to be right or wrong, just offering my initial reaction. It's great to see the creativity. A lot of thought has been put into this absolutely.
Good luck with it.
Debs
February 16th, 2008 at 2:11 am
I really find this idea of spiritual marketing intriguing. I think it is a great topic with lots of potential. Actually, it truly is necessary for success in the network marketing arena. Most companies don't teach this…..maybe lip service at only.
But it is not the focus…..
Will look for more on this topic.
February 16th, 2008 at 9:36 am
@ Debs - you make a good point. Perhaps I'd have been better off just to keep it at how the Golden Rule applies to attraction marketing. However, I do intend to develop this concept of "spiritual marketing" further and I thought that this was a good strating point.
@Tim - I think this has lots of potential as well. The main reason I pursued it was due to my own interest in spiritual life, I am trying to maintain this approach to marketing as well.
February 18th, 2008 at 1:38 am
Excellent post, Mark.
The concept of a sponsor being a leader is something I very rarely come across. I did some time with the Dale Carnegie training organisation some years ago and I consistently try to apply those principles as much as I can. They originated a long time ago, but they're as true today as ever.
Cheers,
Martin.
February 18th, 2008 at 11:34 am
@ Martin - spiritual principles are eternal, like the spirit, and are therefore timeless.
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:11 am
Hey Mark,
This IS a solid topic and can be expanded on with some great philosophies flowing through it. Great starting point and let's see how far down the rabbit hole we go?
A very good friend and mentor of ours shared some solid advice with us a couple of years ago and that is:
'Marketing is the art and science of communicating and creating a relationship with another human being based upon their needs and NOT yours or mine'.
Now having said that, being a future sponsor or business partner one needs to communicate and be empathetic to anothers needs, but how far does the nurturing relationship go? After all this is business.
I guess where I am starting with this is that a leader needs to vibrate or attract at a level of open communication yet have a point where they will not go below their current level of comfort and cross over the fine line of empathy to sympathy.
I look forward to further thoughts.
February 22nd, 2008 at 9:37 am
@2mentors - great quote regarding marketing. Thanks for sharing that. And you make a good point regarding sponsorship and leadership in a business environment.
While it is important to focus on the needs of others, as a sponsor you are not a therapist or a priest and I think that proper perspective must be maintained.
You have definiteley given me food for thought about crossing the fine line of empathy to sympathy.
October 12th, 2008 at 3:01 am
Very refreshing. It's time for a 'clean slate' aproach to network marketing in terms of the old stigma. That can only happen if people with moral character participate. This aspect needs to be perpetuated and talked about more. Thanks.
October 12th, 2008 at 7:48 pm
@ Dr. Ron - I think we are seeing a gradual change in the NM business in that people are realizing that to be successful you need to provide value and conduct yourself professionally. Which means having a high degree of morality.
Thanks for your comment - you've motivated me to keep writing about Spiritual Marketing.