Become a resource and I'll become a client

I am a small business owner desparately seeking marketing ideas which fall under this criteria:

• Creative and Targeted
• Effective
• EZ to execute

Three advertising sales people have called on me in the last 30 days.  None have asked me about my marketing objectives, what I hope to accomplish, what my ideas or dreams might be.  (And I have several of each!)  They really haven't even tried to sell me but rather hoped I would simply buy.

I recently sent emails to a few sales organizations communicating interest in advertising and requesting a media kits OR a sales person.  I got the Media Kit.  Two sales people followed up with calls to inquire if I had made a decision.  On what?  On their rates?  Yes, I've decided they are all too high - because there's no value behind the number on the rate card.  To be fair, one person did stop by the store to be sure I was aware she could cut her rates in half if I were to decide to buy. 

I really wish just one person took a few minutes to try and understand what my business is all about and what my biggest challenges are.  I would also love to have conversations with them about social marketing; accessing their fans on Facebook or reaching their followers on Twitter.  Instead, they want to sell me banner ads on their website.  Urrrrg.

Conversations develop relationships and help establish credibility and position us as resources. 

Become a resource and I'll become your client.

In the meantime, I'm reading and learning and sharing. 

 http://smallbiztrends.com/2010/08/how-to-participate-in-twitter-chat.html