Lead Your Customers, Don’t Sell them

It’s tempting to focus on short-term sales and ignoring the theory. But that’s what works.

By Wadih Antoun

About 3 min read . Feb 25, 2021Strategy & Consultancy

Do you think Apple leads their customers or sell them?

Great Brands don’t aim to sell, they aim for their tribe and they lead them.

Tell a Story

It’s an age-old recommendation that can never be said enough times. Ask yourself, does my brand tell a story? Does it explain what makes it unique or am I just another business offering another similar product at a cheaper price? Well, what happens when there is another cheaper offering…

It's a deep exercise that you should have done in the first place, but the idea here is to narrate it and not demand it.

So, tell a story and don't be salesy.

Imagine you're at a party and you bump into a stranger and they immediately asked you for $5 for a taxi ride. You're very likely to turn in the other direction and never utter a word. Now, imagine this same stranger says hello, and then tells you an interesting story about something you like and THEN asks you for $5 for a taxi ride because he forgot his wallet. Would you say no?

Connect a Tribe or Lead a Movement

Find those that are like-minded. Talk to them and connect with them. Start a shared community around your values and the story you are telling to start a conversation.

This can be a Facebook Group or a Whatsapp Group, maybe it’s a blog that you start to be able to talk about the cause you are championing. Whatever you decide to do, make sure you are creating a tribe. 

Make a Change

Finally, don’t just be another me-too product. That can work for the short-term, in fact, it might give you more sales and revenue than you imagined. But we almost guarantee it, it’s short-lived. If you’re okay with that. Then so be it. Make those wins and go to the next thing. That could be your thing.

If you’re in it for the long run and for building a lasting brand or business, find out WHY you’re doing this and more importantly make sure your audience knows it.

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