Marketers and business developers need to keep learning how to make more sales, create more profitable business opportunities and make more customers. Common places to learn from are books, seminars and social networks. But how about Nigeria’s politics?
Politicians have to be some of the smartest marketers around. They know exactly how to rally followers to their cause and how to sweet talk their way out of almost anything. Here are 5 marketing/business lessons you can learn from Nigeria’s politics;
Start Your Campaign Early: Here’s a lesson Nigerian politicians need to learn, because frankly, most of them aren’t getting this quite right. Politicians need to start their ‘’campaign’’ way before their political intentions are known. For instance, a governorship aspirant could have gotten himself involved in several community projects and philanthropic works in his state years before his intentions were made public. That way, his voters can look back at his works and be assured that he truly has the best intentions and would do more for his state if elected.
A book author used this technique to sell thousands of his books. He started an email list and sent out book reviews years before his book was published. And when his book was finally ready, he had tens of thousands who already trusted him and ready to buy his book.
As marketers, you need to build relationships and offer value before you try to sell anything.
Know What Your Market Wants: Nigerian politicians definitely know what Nigerians want. In fact, they base their whole campaign on what Nigerians want. Electricity. Jobs. Security. Education.
‘’I Will Secure Nigeria’’
‘’2 Million Jobs Every Year’’
‘’Steady Power Supply for All Nigerians’’
How about you? Do you know what your target market wants? Can you clearly communicate it like our politicians do?
Tell Them How to Get It: Here’s another thing Nigerian politicians can improve on. Educating the electorate on how you plan on delivering on your promises will increase their confidence in you.
Educating your customers on how your product/service will solve their problem will increase their confidence in you and your brand. Show them the step by step process on how each feature of your product/service will deliver value.
Assure Them You Are Their Best Option: Politicians are bold. Bold to call out their opposition and tarnish their image. They’ll use really strong words against the opposition and tell you how you are doomed forever if you elect the opposition. I heard a story of a politician who called his opponent a Satan worshipper, and how people are doomed to darkness if he was elected governor (true story).
Why not do the same with your customers? No, not the strong words and tarnishing part. But you need to clearly differentiate your brand from your competition. Show your customers how your product is unique and how they’ll be better off patronizing you.
Deliver On Your Promises: Yet another lesson politicians all around the world can improve on. When politicians deliver on their promises, they’ll find it easier to get re-elected. And when a political party consistently produces competent and effective leaders, they’ll remain in power.
As for you, better make sure your product delivers on its promises, and you’ll get repeat business. And even more – referrals.
Mason Frederick Chegwe shares useful information you can use to achieve your marketing goals. Connect with him on
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