Dave Sharpe - Ten things I've learned from the Marketing Legend

Dave Sharpe is the CEO of the company Legendary Marketer. Legendary Marketer is an Online Business training platform that teaches people how to structure and set-up a successful Online Business.

But Dave is much more than just a CEO. He's a really inspiring figure with many business and life tips to share. Dave is a high-school dropout, teenage father, and a former heroin addict who has dragged himself from the lowest of lows to become one of the most successful young entrepreneurs in the USA. In this article, I'm going to share with you 10 things I've learned from Dave Sharpe.

1. Slow and Steady wins the race:

We live in a time when everyone wants everything right now! On-demand telly, speed dating, fast food, and get rich quick schemes. The Online Business sector is filled with people looking to make a quick buck off those who are desperate to make some quick money. But Dave preaches a different message, he teaches the power of being realistic, taking your business seriously, and doing a little bit every day to grow and grow.

2. Sell cheese pizza:

So many companies and people try to be a jack of all trades rather than focusing on being a master of one. Dave often shares a story of a real estate tycoon who told him "I don't sell chips, I don't sell sausages, I don't sell pepperoni pizza.... I only sell cheese pizza". 

The tycoon was referring to the fact that he had perfected selling a certain type of house in a certain type of area rather than trying to do it all and that was why he was so successful. In our lives, it is important to decide what we want to be good at and then focus solely on becoming a master at that.

3. Facts tell, stories sell:

Dave regularly tells his students about the importance of telling their stories. Humans' brains are wired to react emotionally to stories and we remember stories much clearer than facts. Studies show that when a person hears a story, they will often subconsciously imagine themselves as the lead character in that story.

Dave never sells Legendary Marketer on its attributes, he instead sells it by sharing his story and eliciting an emotional reaction from people. He knows if he can get people to buy into his story, they will eventually see the quality of the products.

4. The Importance of a strong Value Ladder:

If a company doesn't have a strong Value Ladder then it will never be highly profitable. Most small businesses just sell low-ticket products like clothing and groceries for a small profit. A very profitable business will sell cheap front end offers and then upsell customers to more expensive high-ticket offers on the backend. Companies can make huge profits just from one sale if they include high ticket products in their product range.

5. The importance of belief:

When I started my business, I kept hearing all the gurus preach the importance of mindset. I originally thought this was all magical rubbish but I now know mindset is so powerful. It is often our own lack of belief that stands in our way of achieving success. For many people, the most critical person they will ever encounter lives in their heads.

6. The salesperson who doesn't need the sale gets the sale:

So many salespeople are desperate for their next sale. This creates a problem because they begin looking for what people can do for them, rather than thinking about what they can do for others. The salesperson who knows they have a great product that solves problems will approach people with the confidence that they can help them. And then they actually will help them!! Good word gets around, and soon the salesperson doesn't need to sell because the customers seek them out.

7. Make your circle smaller:

Dave recently mentioned that he was friends with everybody when he was a heroin addict. But since he started a successful business, his circle has got smaller and smaller. So many people will leech your time and energy away if you aren't careful. Be careful about who you give time to, decide who is important to you and stick with them. Remember, time is precious, don't waste it trying to please people just because you want to be liked!

8. Be an action taker:

Unsuccessful people love to watch and learn. Their favorite phrase is: "I'll learn a little more now, and I'll try this later". Successful people have already tried 5 times, failed 4, and succeeded once, while the unsuccessful people are still waiting for the perfect time. Learn by doing and come to love failure, take action to achieve your dreams.

9. Think of money as a game:

Now I don't mean be irresponsible with money. Plan what you are going to do with money, but then lose your emotional attachment to the fear of losing money. You can make smarter decisions and try more things when you aren't overly emotionally attached to your money. Treat your business and your money as an experiment and you will find the experience far more enjoyable.

10. What is your conditioning around money?

Dave isn't the first person to discuss people's money mindset but he definitely communicates the idea very effectively. Think about why you make the amount of money you do every year. Why is it that you've never aspired to be a millionaire or why is it that you are broke. You probably will find that you've been conditioned by society and your upbringing and that has affected the amount of money you make.

I hope you found some of these tips useful, if you'd like to check out one of Dave's training programs follow this link: 15-Day Business Builder Challenge

Barry