I Have a Great Product, So Do I Really Need Marketing?

Let’s get something straight

Just because you have an amazing product or service doesn’t mean people will flock to it like moths to a flame. This isn’t a cheesy Hollywood flick where you build it, and they magically show up. Sorry to burst your bubble, but that strategy only works in the movies, because in the real world, it’s a one-way ticket to a dead business.

Need proof? Just look at the graveyard of “superior” products that bit the dust. Ever heard of Betamax? The Newton? LaserDisc? Probably not because they failed.

Why? Because being great isn’t enough.

Here’s the cold, hard truth

Marketing is non-negotiable if you want your business to succeed. Yeah, I know, you’re thinking, “But my product is awesome!”—and maybe it is. But how do potential customers figure that out? Only after they buy. And if they don’t buy, they’ll never know how mind-blowingly great it is.

IBM’s Thomas Watson nailed it when he said, “Nothing happens until a sale is made.” No sales, no success. It’s that simple.

Here’s the kicker

A great product or service is a tool for retention, not acquisition. Sure, once people experience how awesome your stuff is, they’ll buy more, tell their friends, and help you grow through word of mouth. But before they get to that point, you’ve got to market the hell out of it.

The most successful entrepreneurs? They get this. They don’t wait for customers to stumble upon their greatness—they start with marketing.

So, do you need marketing? Hell yes