I’ve been pondering lately what the term “Marketing” actually means.

It seems for many (myself included at one time), this word actually brings up a negative response.  For a business owner whom cringes at this word, however, it is nearly business suicide.

I read the other day from a prominent business owner that there are two sides to business: service and marketing.  That a business owner must include time, focus, and effort to both sides of the equation.

So what does “Marketing” mean to you? Webster’s Dictionary defines it as, “the process or technique of promoting, selling, and distributing a product or service.” More cringes?  I’d like to suggest another definition, especially for us holistic business owners whom truly want to help others.  The old stereotype of slimy salesman is a real turn off.  So here goes:

Marketing is sharing with others who you are, what you have to offer clearly owning and sharing it’s and your value, with the intention to inspire and be of service to others.

Where many holistic business owners get “hung up” is being afraid of being too pushy (coming off as the “used car salesman, which obviously is not inspiring or being of service) or not themselves truly seeing their own worth and what they have to offer with enough value to truly put themselves out there and want to share their message and services passionately.

I encourage anyone whom fits this category to reconsider their definition of marketing, truly get in touch with their own sense of self worth and life’s purpose, and then decide to take inspired action to set up the business systems, organization, and structure to provide optimal service and share passionately (marketing) with others.