Marketing.  What visions come to your mind when you hear the word? Pushy?  Obnoxious? Selling? Working against your Christian values?

My feelings about marketing have really changed.  I used to think of the above scenarios, but now I see it as sharing what I can do to help someone else.  Oh…as a Christian, I really like that!  I love being able to use my Christian values when promoting my business.

What is your business all about?  What skill or product do you have that others need?  As Christians, I know we want our lives to count for something and we want to honor God in all we do.  That includes our marketing.

How do you think Jesus would “market?”  We may all come up with a different answer, but I’ll share mine.  I think He would be confident in what He had to offer others.  He would not be pushy, but He wouldn’t be timid either.  Why?  Because He knew what He offered would make a difference in people’s lives.  He would feel He had an obligation to share what He had.

I believe that’s how we should look at our own marketing.  If you feel you have something good to offer, you should WANT to share it.  If you don’t feel you have something worthwhile, then it’s time to look for another business.

Let’s look at an example.  Let’s say Jane sells a health product that has made a huge difference in her life.  When she meets other people who could benefit from it, what would you think of Jane if she never mentioned her product?  What if she said, “I’ll pray for you” but walked away and never shared practically how she could help them?  Would you think highly of Jane?  Do you think God would be pleased, knowing He has given Jane something that can make a difference in others’ lives but she never shares it?

All I am trying to do is to get you to look at marketing in a different light.  I have heard from people that they don’t want to start a business because they can’t “sell.”  But if you look at marketing as SHARING something to help someone else, would that make you more apt to do it?

It is very possible to market your business and not go against your Christian values.  I think it all begins with how you view marketing.