To me, this post falls along the lines of “common sense marketing” but really, there are a lot of people who know little to squatola about marketing. And that’s nothing wrong with that. Not everyone “gets” marketing.

The basic fact is that if you have something to sell, a product or a service, then you need to spread the word. I can be the best damn writer around. But if no one knows of me or knows how to find me, then I’m the best damn writer around with zero clients. And that’s not good.

So…what are YOU selling? Web design services? A high-tech gizmo? Dr. So-and-So’s Health Tonic? You’re selling something…

But it’s more than that. If you’re selling web design services what you’re really selling is a hassle-free (hopefully) design of a web site that will a) represent the client’s product or service well, b) be easy on the eyes, c) establish an immediate connection between the viewer and the site, d) make a call to action and e) all of the above and more.

Hint: You should pick “e.”

If you’re selling health tonic, you’re not really selling some nasty tasting liquid (well, maybe you are) but you are selling hope in a bottle. You are selling the idea that the drinker of said health tonic will reap benefits in many ways…health, hope, happiness…and whatever additional adjectives you want to heap on there.

Starting to get the picture? Before you start your marketing campaign, you need to determine what it is you’re selling. And how it will benefit your target market.

In my previous post I mentioned that I will be following my marketing campaign. At this point, I already know what I’m selling. Yes, I’m a writer. And I sell my writing services. But what I really sell is the ability for other people to establish credibility, make money, spend their time wisely…the list goes on.

How do I do that? As a ghostwriter, my clients typically give me an outline and research (hopefully) on the topic they want written about. Typically, I write books. What better way for a professional to establish their authority on a subject and credibility within a given field than to be an author? Some of my clients stick with ebooks…either for sale or as giveaways to their prospects. Some of my clients get their books printed. And they’ve made a pretty penny doing so. Get some books printed up and shipped to you for about $4 a book and then turn around and sell for $20…not a bad mark-up. So, yes, I make my clients money.

And lastly, I save my clients time. Many people just don’t have the time it takes to crank out a book. And many don’t have the writing ability. So I save them the trouble.

I know what I’m selling…do you?