Why marketing is like dating.

Do these 6 things and your customers will fall head-over-heels in love with you.

The secret to great marketing is love and the art of marketing can be likened to the art of dating.

Have you ever found yourself on a terrible date?

You know the one - with the person who won't stop talking about themselves! They go on and on about how fabulous they are, what they've achieved, how popular they are, and spend the evening telling you about all the things they need and want in a relationship.

Meanwhile, you're fantasising about throwing your drink over them as you frantically signal your waiter to bring the whole bottle of wine.

As mortifying as a bad date is, for some reason, many marketers think this sort of behaviour is OK when it comes to marketing their product or service.

I can't tell you how often I see marketing activity that acts like the date from hell we've just described. Bragging about how awesome they are and telling customers what they want - while showing absolutely no interest in what the customer wants and needs.

Then (shock horror) they're surprised when their marketing doesn't work.

The truth is, if you want to attract the right customers to your business, build a loyal tribe who buy from you time and time again - then you need to treat your customer the same way you'd treat someone you’re falling in love with.

“Building a brand is building a love story.”

When you design a marketing strategy that follows the steps of falling in love, you not only attract an abundance of customers but you ensure your customers fall in love with you.

If you’re like most of us and feel a little uncomfortable on the dating scene, here are six tips that will make you irresistible and impossible not to love.

TIP 1: DON’T USE MANIPULATION TO GET CUSTOMER OR “SCORE” THE SALE

I appreciate it's very tempting to push offers that are too-good-to-be-true, dangle click-bait or use tactics that trick your customer to buy. But you only get one chance to make a good impression and if you use your first impression to manipulate your customer into a quick sale, they’ll never come back.

And let’s not forget, people are more likely to spread bad news and experiences than good. So you won’t be damaging your relationship with your customer, you’ll also get a bad rap reputation

TIP 2: DON’T CONSTANTLY ASK YOUR CUSTOMER TO DO THINGS FOR YOU

We all have that friend or family member who is takes, takes, takes. They’re always telling you what to do, asking for a favour, relentlessly focused on their wants and needs. It's exhausting. And let's be honest, we avoid that person as much as possible.

If you keep asking your customer to do things for you, they'll quickly feel the same way about you.

Instead of coming from a place of taking and asking, become famous for giving. Think about what you can do for your customer and then deliver on it.

If you want to know how to build a brand look at how people fall in love. Give generously in your marketing and business and you’ll attract loyal customers for life.

TIP 3: THE ONLY WAY TO EARN LOVE IS TO GIVE LOVE

Energy and intent are potent forces that don't just apply to the field of personal development. If you want your customer to love and respect you as a brand, you have to love and respect them in return.

Customers can feel your love for them - or lack thereof - in your marketing and communication. It oozes through every piece of communication and creative.

“The only way to build love for your brand is to love your customer first.”

TIP 4: BE GENEROUS AND GIVE ENORMOUS VALUE (OVER-DELIVER)

When you love someone, you joyfully give without expectation of return. You give because you want them to thrive.

When you come from a place of generosity in you’re business - giving more than your customer expects - you end up receiving more than you could imagine.

Make it your mission to give more than expected. Be wildly generous. It's a game-changer.

TIP 5: LISTEN

Simple but powerful.

It will blow your mind what you discover when you listen to your customer, the ideas and opportunities they come from listening to an incredible.

TIP 6: REMEMBER, YOU WANT A LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIP NOT A ONE-NIGHT STAND

We've all heard the saying that it costs 5x more to acquire a new customer than retain an old one. I'd suggest the real number is higher. Either way, great brands and successful business are built on long-term, mutually beneficial customer relationships. They have a tribe of loyal customers who return to buy over and over again.

You'll never build your tribe of loyal customers if you're focused on getting them into bed on the first date.

A one-night stand will only leave you and your customer feeling unfulfilled and, most likely, full of regret.

If you've been guilty of acting like the date from hell in your marketing, it's time to take a different approach. It’s never too late to change. Start to infuse the love into your marketing and your business will transform.