• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Mike Kim

Live Your Message. Love Your Work. Leave Your Mark On The World.

  • About
  • Speaking
  • Podcast
  • Blog
  • Book
  • Visit My Store »

BYP 30 – Caution: Do Not Violate These 5 Laws Of Marketing

by Mike Kim Leave a Comment

Do Not Violate These Laws of MarketingMarketing your personal brand is tough enough as it is — but it’s even harder if you go against the current. These 5 “laws” of marketing will help you get more traction and results. Violate at your own risk!

1. The Law of Leadership: It’s better to be first than better.

This the most basic law of marketing. What’s the name of the first person to fly the Atlantic Ocean solo? Charles Lindbergh, right? What’s the name of the second person to fly the Atlantic Ocean solo? Bert Hinkler. The problem is no one knows who he is! Bert was a better pilot than Lindbergh — he flew faster and consumed less fuel. Yet who has ever heard of Bert Hinkler?

2. The Law of the Category: If you can’t be first, setup a new category you can be first in.

What’s the name of the third person to fly across the Atlantic solo? You didn’t know the second, you might not know the third, but you actually do. It’s Amelia Earhart, the first woman to fly across the Atlantic solo.

When Heineken became a big success, Anheuser Busch could have said, “We should bring in an imported beer, too.” If you can’t be first in a category, setup a new one you can be first in and promote it. Don’t ask yourself “how is this better than the competition” but rather “what are we first in?”

3. The Law of the Mind: It’s better to be first in the mind that to be first to the market.

Apple’s problem in getting into its prospects’ minds was helped by its simple, easy-to-remember name. On the other hand, Apple’s competitors had complicated names that were difficult to remember. In the early days, five personal computers were in position on the launching pad: Apple II, Commodore Pet, IMSAI 8080, MITS Altair 8800, and Radio Shack TRS-80. Ask yourself, which name is the simplest and easiest to remember?

4. The Law of Perception: Marketing isn’t a battle of products, it’s a battle of perception.

Think about the 3 biggest Japanese cars: Honda, Toyota, and Nissan. Now this reflects the mind in a very interesting way. You would think that the sales of these three brands would be the same in Japan as in the US. Toyota sells 4 times as many autos in Japan as Honda does.

If I told you I bought a Honda recently, you might ask – Accord? Civic? But if we were in Japan, you might ask me “what kind of motorcycle?”

In Japan, Honda is a motorcycle company. It’s the same as if you heard Harley Davidson was now making cars.

5. The Law of Focus: The most powerful concept in marketing is owning a word in the prospect’s mind.

If you can own a word, you’ve become almost irreplaceable. This is where you’re getting really targeted and gaining major, major traction in your branding.

  • Hershey: chocolate
  • Xerox: copier
  • FedEx: overnight
  • Michael Hyatt: platform
  • Tim Ferris: 4 hour
  • John Maxwell: leadership
  • Tony Robbins: motivational speaking
  • Crest: cavities
  • BMW: driving
  • Volvo: safety

These words aren’t complicated. They’re not even invented. These aren’t SAT words here, but they’re extremely powerful.

Two books you should check out:

  1. The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing by Al Ries & Jack Trout
  2. Made To Stick by Chip and Dan Heath

Connect with Mike:

https://mikekim.com/

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/mikekimtv/

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikekimtv

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/mikekimtv/

Twitter – https://twitter.com/mikekimtv

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/c/MikeKim


Leave a review.Would you review this show? I would consider it a great honor if you would leave a written review on iTunes. It’s one of the best way for word to get out about this podcast. I read every single comment … leave any review you want, as long as it’s honest. Thank you!

Filed Under: Blog, Marketing, Personal Branding, Podcast Episodes

Primary Sidebar

Mike Kim - headshot

Mike Kim
Personal brand strategist and author of the Wall Street Journal & USA Today Bestseller, You Are the Brand.

Read more »

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Ranked the #1 podcast on iTunes for personal branding, each episode helps you build your personal brand business.

Subscribe via iTunes »

Most Popular Posts

  1. 10 Takeaways from the John Maxwell Team’s International Maxwell Certification Event
  2. I Get Rejected Every Single Day. Here’s How I Deal With It.
  3. The 3 Step Framework To Build A Winning Brand Identity (From Scratch)
  4. How To Supercharge Your Bio For Guest Blogs Or Podcasts
  5. 4 Steps To Find Out How Much Money You Need For A Career Pivot
  6. Secrets of Verizon FIOS: Boost Your Sales Copy With These 5 Phrases
  7. Apply These 5 Marketing Lessons From Marvel’s The Avengers (No Spoilers!)
  8. How To Market Yourself Like No One Else Can
  9. Why It’s NOT Wrong To Market Your Ministry
  10. How To Blend Your Spiritual and Work Life … Without Being Preachy

Social

Instagram
LinkedIn
Twitter
Facebook

Footer

Need Marketing or Brand Strategy?

Click the button below to check out my best resources to help you market and monetize your message.

 

Visit My Store

Here

About
Store
Speaking
Podcast
Blog

Social

Instagram
LinkedIn
YouTube
Facebook
Twitter
TikTok

Copyright © 2023 · Mike Kim Enterprises · Log in site design: jason clement