Goldilocks in Business

January 3, 2013 — Floatli, marketing, sport, Zappos

Three Bears and Goldilocks

My story in business since I returned to commerce now seems like Goldilocks and the Three Bears to me.  While learning inbound marketing and social media I attempted to find the right marketing partner.  I understand how this works because for years I was the marketing partner for all travel providers (travel agent) , and fancy spas sold my services as a teacher ( employee).    Commission is something I have always paid happily, even back when I was  young production potter paying a gallery to sell my pots.  It is fair, and it keeps overhead where it belongs.

My first guess about the perfect partner was focused on Watsu.  I decided that the Watsu people maintain pools which are not fully booked, therefore Floatli would give them something else to sell in their pools.  I wandered around from hot spring to hot spring looking for the right one, but this combo was not going to happen, for whatever reason.

Next, I decided that mermaids naturally combined with Floatli and were trending.  I learned about the people who are into mermaids, and organized a weekend at a hot spring for mermaids to meet water fitness enthusiasts.  This was not the match I had imagined either.  I did not suffer terribly through these experiences, mind you.  I simply found no appropriate fit for a marketing vehicle.

My digital wanderings had exposed me to Chris Brogan and Anthony Innarino who taught a workshop on sales last year.  The well presented course provided the piece that had been missing in my technique.  They carefully explained the process of qualifying customers.  I had clearly demonstrated that deciding myself that the customer needs my product was the wrong initial step to take.  Then they gave me the secret to reverse all errors made in the mama bear’s bed and the papa bear’s bed.  To qualify a potential customer you first ask if they want to have a conversation with you about whatever you are pitching.  Proceeding without taking this step is the number one way salespeople turn others off forever.  The interest as well as the ability to execute has to be there, or you are wasting time.  Thanks, Chris and Anthony, that information arrived none too soon.

My target now is Zappos, which fits perfectly because Floatli is the exact opposite of shoes, and Zappos is very sporty.  This time, however, I will proceed armed with my new information, and ask the Zapsters if they want to have a conversation about marketing Floatli.  That is why I will send this post to them in hopes of a positive response.  I believe I can show how we belong together in business, for the benefit of all sentient beings.  Gravity meets weightlessness, outside the box (but inside a Zappos box).  Please say yes, Zapsters.

Culture Clown at Zappos