Bible Sales: A Marketing Fable
Crystal posted this on May 1, 2008
cc PÃ¥l Berge, courtesy of Flickr
Note: You may already know the story, but you don’t yet know my take on it…click here to skip to the moral of the story
A pastor concluded that his church was getting into very serious financial troubles. While checking the church storeroom, he discovered several cartons of new bibles that had never been opened and distributed—and got a great idea.
At his next Sunday sermon, he asked for three volunteers from the congregation who would be willing to sell the bibles door-to-door for $10 each, raising the much-needed money for their church. Jack, Paul and Louie all raised their hands to volunteer for the task.
The minister knew that Jack and Paul earned their living as salesmen and were clearly capable of selling some bibles. But he had serious doubts about Louie the local farmer, who had always kept to himself because he was embarrassed by his speech impediment.
Poor Louie stuttered badly. But, wanting to discourage Louie, the minister decided to let him give it a try anyway. He sent the three men away with the back seats of their cars stacked with bibles. He asked each of them to meet with him the following Sunday to report the results of their door-to-door selling efforts.
The following week, eager to find out how successful they were, the minister immediately asked Jack, “Well, Jack, how did you make out selling our bibles last week?”
Proudly handing the reverend an envelope, Jack replied, “Using my sales prowess, I was able to sell 20 bibles, and here’s the $200 I collected on behalf of the church.”
“Fine job, Jack!” The minister said, vigorously shaking his hand . “You are indeed a fine salesman and our church is indebted to you.”
Turning to Paul the minister asked, “And Paul, how many bibles did you sell for the Church last week?”
Paul, smiling and sticking out his chest, confidently replied, “I am a professional salesman. I sold 28 bibles on behalf of the church, and here’s $280 I collected.”
The minister responded, “That’s absolutely splendid, Paul! You are truly a professional salesman and the church is deeply indebted to you.”
Apprehensively, the minister turned to Louie and said, “And Louie, did you manage to sell any bibles last week?”
Louie silently offered the minister a large envelope. The minister opened it and counted the contents. “What is this?” the minister exclaimed. “Louie, there’s $3200 in here! Are you suggesting that you sold 320 bibles for the church, door to door, in just one week?”
Louie just nodded.
“That’s impossible!” both Jack and Paul said in unison. “We are professional salesmen, yet you claim to have sold 10 times as many bibles as we could.”
“Yes, this does seem unlikely,” the minister agreed. “I think you’d better explain how you managed to accomplish this, Louie.”
Louie shrugged. “I-I-I re-re-really do-do-don’t kn-kn-know f-f-f-for sh-sh-sh-sure,” he stammered.
Impatiently, Peter interrupted. “For crying out loud, Louie, just tell us what you said to them when they answered the door!”
“A-a-a-all I-I-I s-s-said wa-wa-was,” Louie replied, “W-w-w-w-would y-y-y-you l-l-l-l-l-like t-t-to b-b-b-buy th-th-th-this b-b-b-bible. F-f-for t-t-ten b-b-b-bucks —o-o-o-or— wo-wo-would yo-you j-j-j-just l-like m-m-me t-t-to st-st-stand h-h-here and r-r-r-r-r-read it t-to y-y-you??”
~from a much-forwarded email sent to me by Momma Jessie
Moral of this marketing story: Play to your strengths!
While writing the Making a Million with 1000 True Fans series, I noted that Alexandria Brown’s business model thrives on free live teleseminars and live workshop events. From what I’ve heard she’s an excellent speaker, and while I have many useful skills in my toolbox, public speaking ain’t one of ‘em.
I could overcome my fears and cultivate the skill to speak in front of crowds, but seriously? I’ve got enough to do. At this point in the game, it makes far more sense to play to my strengths when it comes to marketing, and also when creating products and providing services.
Technology will have a key role in this, I feel sure. As James Hipkin reminded me, I can dodge live technical training by recording Flash video tutorials with tools like Captivate and Camtasia. If I want to work teleseminars into my plan, there are scads of Web- and telephone-based services to record my voice in a downloadable digital format. The technology behind those things is a cakewalk for me. But a roomful of strangers hanging on my every word? Not so much! 
So if you come across a marketing idea that has a method of execution which doesn’t suit you…there’s no call to change yourself to fit (unless you want to). Instead, brainstorm a way to get the same or similar—or even better!—results using those tried-and-true, super-max-fabulous skills you already have!
Et tu? What are your top strengths? What’s your Kryptonite?
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23 Responses to “Bible Sales: A Marketing Fable”
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This is a topic I wish more people could grasp.
I remember first reading about it in Tim Ferris’ Four Hour Work Week, where he talks about how you can spend all your life just trying to become mediocre at things you aren’t good at. And that you could be more successful by sticking with your strengths.
Thanks for the reminder. As soon as I realize what my strengths are I can take this advise to heart.
hmmmm,
public speaking IS my strength. Bring on the crowds. Technology is my weakness. Recording some flash..what????. Maybe we should team up.
By the way..that was hilarious, even if I don’t usually make fun of the verbally impaired. Hilarious.
Recent blog post from Wendi Kelly: Twiddling Thumbs
I also remember reading this:
“You can spend all your life just trying to become mediocre at things you aren’t good at.”
It is so powerful and truthful.
Recent blog post from The Masked Millionaire: China Very Quiet, But Something Is Happening
Crystal,
A very timely post today. Tonight is one of my “review” nights, so I’ll be sitting in a quiet spot, reviewing my notes and journals to see how I’m progressing.
As you’ve said, and as Jeremy said, figure out your strengths - and a lot of time, they are your interests.
I’ll repeat that - if you don’t know what your strengths are, make a list of things you like to do. Things you’d do for free. Heck, things you’d *pay* other people to allow you to do.
I started out by doing that. I like computers. I like cars. I like coffee. I like to run and walk barefoot. And so forth…
Then I started thinking about business ideas for these interests.
And the energy builds… the money will come, once I figure out what to do with the underpants
Okay, now I’ve got myself all pumped up writing this, and I have to go back to work…
Thanks for the words and encouragement!
Brett
Recent blog post from Brett Legree: viking fridays - the unwise man.
Hi Jeremy, and welcome!
That’s been sounding like an interesting book, and now even more with the bit you mentioned: “trying to become mediocre at things you aren’t good at.” How many people work at a field that pays well, or that their parents’ picked for them, without really thinking about whether it suits them? Well, I did…so that’s 1.
We’ll keep counting, and I bet we run out of fingers and toes pretty quick.
And Brett said it in a later comment, your strengths are probably tied to what you enjoy. Whether we like them because they’re a joy to do, or they’re a joy to do because we like them, surely there’s a job/career/living/income in whatever we feel best doing?
Wendi! Oh golly, a roomful of people stops my heart, even if I’m just among the crowd and not in front of it lol
And do you know, I never thought about it as laughing at his impairment?! Louie didn’t think he was at a disadvantage, so I didn’t either…I just about popped my cork laughing at his cleverness though!
A team up, eh? … Let’s keep that in mind? Put it in one of those bubbling pots of ours?
Hi there! And hey, Jeremy just pointed us to the same quote in Four Hour Work Week! Great minds think alike, eh?
Now if I have two pointers to it, I really need to get my hands on that book, and soon. It’s a sign.
Many thanks!
Crystal,
I highly recommend Four Hour Work Week, Tim Ferriss is like a real-life version of Tyler Durden and I swear I’ve seen him following me on my barefoot runs…
Tim worked his butt off to get where he is, and yet, he understands balance and is now enjoying himself, rather than running himself into the ground at work.
We’ll get there… no doubt in my mind.
Recent blog post from Brett Legree: viking fridays - the unwise man.
Brett—Ahhh, there you go again, right on time
I’m pulling together my notes from figuring out what to do next with my working life, and a list of things I like to do was an essential first step. Figuring out how to make money was the second step! Great minds, great minds…and underpants
I love that you’re like “for free, or would pay folks to let you”, because that’s the one thing I don’t hear enough of. Maybe it’s because I live next to the big city, but folks here talk a lot about how well their jobs pay, but rarely how much they enjoy their work. Definitely no talk about “I’d do it for free.” lol
Barbara Sher’s books are what started me off that “do what pays, not what you like” path, and once I got started on that line of thought, it was impossible to go back…or be satisfied with working at jobs I didn’t like.
And that leads me to today’s post…I’d better get to it!
Along the same lines as the recent comments. So many people spend their life focusing just on what can make money, instead of making money doing what they enjoy.
We get one shot at our life and shouldn’t get to the end and realize that we didn’t enjoy what we did.
There’s no reason to be the richest man in the cemetery.
-Colonel Sanders
Recent blog post from Jeremy Davis: Does Anyone Care About Computer Hardware Anymore?
@Jeremy
That is one of the best quotes EVER!
“There’s no reason to be the richest man in the cemetary”
~ Jeremy Davis
Man, there’s a 1000 word post right there.
Can I quote you on that?
@Crystal,
My best friend in grade school stuttered. When I met her, I came right out and asked her what was the best thing I could do to make her feel more comfortable and help her. She said just relax and wait it out, like it was no big deal. As time went by and she got more comfotable about it, she could joke and make the best of the circumstances like Louie. She was smart, quick-witted and funny as hell.She never thought of it as a disadvantage and man was she popular with our gang!
Recent blog post from Wendi Kelly: Slow Cooking Frogs
Crystal,
So many people make great money and lead empty lives. They look forward to “Freedom 55″ but then when they get there, they’ve forgotten how to have fun.
We made friends with a couple 10 years ago on our honeymoon, and it is amazing how the two couples have traveled different paths. They, much more successful financially than we. Yet, when we last saw them at Christmas for breakfast, he was on his Blackberry through breakfast, and she seemed distant, only focused on the holiday sales and what she was going to buy…
I was sad, actually. They didn’t speak at all of family, friends, happy experiences. Only work, and material things.
I’m certainly not perfect in that regard, I too pursued an education and career that would provide me with a financially comfortable life. A *boring* (to me) career.
So, that is why I am doing what I am doing, just like you. Find out what you would do for free, and do it. Do it with passion. Do it with style. People will notice. And they will pay you for it.
-Brett
Recent blog post from Brett Legree: viking fridays - the unwise man.
@Wendi - Sure you can quote me on it, but it actually comes from Colonel Sanders.
@Brett - That story about the materialistic, workaholic family is something that I see so often today. Luckily, I’m only 23 and can try to make the right decisions early on to ensure no regrets later in life.
Recent blog post from Jeremy Davis: Does Anyone Care About Computer Hardware Anymore?
Hi Wendi—What a cool kid! I could learn a lot from her matter-of-fact attitude…and think I just did!
And husb and I talked about stirring pots this morning, re: getting more exercise. His comments on the how and why were almost verbatim to your post! An epidemic?
Crystal,
Great minds and all that?
I got out of bed this morning and said to my dog and husband,
“Time to stir a frog pot!”
As I was putting on my running shoes…
The dog got excited. The husband got very confused.
Recent blog post from Wendi Kelly: Slow Cooking Frogs
Ooo, Brett. I know some folks like that, who shall remain nameless. It breaks the heart, doesn’t it? It could scare me away from having more-than-enough money, if I didn’t also know not-well-off people who behave the same way, talk about similar things…except they’re preoccupied with the money they don’t have.
And I hope I didn’t give the impression that following the money was a bad thing? If that’s someone’s joy, then have at it! For me, though, it was a bad place to start decision-making on what I want to do for a living.
I am so glad that we’re hashing this all out now, before it’s too late to easily change gears. It’s never too late, but I would expect it gets more difficult…
Off to strategize with passion and style
Crystal
@Jeremy,
I think that people like yourself, a bit younger than I am (I’m 38), get this better than my generation. Being a bit further removed from the Baby Boomers. Perhaps I initially grew up thinking I should have everything my parents have, and more - but what was it really? You can’t necessarily *see* the success of happiness, only the success of material things.
You are wise beyond your years, keep on going in that direction. Concentrate on being happy. Money will come later.
@Crystal,
It is pretty sad to see. Oh, I think it is good to have more than you need, for emergencies. I guess it comes down to one’s attitude towards it. When it is the end goal, I don’t think it is healthy. But as you say, to each her own.
I do know this. When I’m old, money won’t come to visit me when I’m lonely…
Recent blog post from Brett Legree: from dusk till dawn. a story about running.
Hiya Brett—Oh, you are so right about that. I know an older fella who is suffering from that right now. Just like in the song (Cat Stevens, I think?), he spent far more time and energy making money than developing a relationship with his kids. Now he’s retired and sitting on a pile of cash like a fat rat, but doesn’t have many folks to enjoy it with, and no hobbies or interests to spend it on.
Ironically, his ex-wife has much less money, but she couldn’t keep the kids away with a flame thrower. She took the time to call, listen, talk, laugh, celebrate, argue, and sometimes yell, and the kids all value her deeply for it—when she needs help, or company, or nothing at all, they’re there. She’s often on the move, and is turning an interest into a new career.
Funny ol’ world, ain’t it?
Crystal,
As I’m sure you already know, Dave Navarro blogged about that song today. For the folks who don’t know Dave, go check it out:
http://www.rockyourday.com/wake-up-damn-it-you-wont-get-a-second-chance/
Watch the video, think about the words. Cry. Then decide what is important to you.
I know I did.
-Brett
Recent blog post from Brett Legree: from dusk till dawn. a story about running.
Hi Brett,
I didn’t know, though I just found out via Twitter a second ago. I totally got the singer wrong (it’s Harry Chapin). Many many thanks for the link and the reminder…
Hi Crystal,
The singer’s name was a minor detail. That you got the message of the song, is what matters.
We can still work hard on that which is important to us. We have to, it is who we are… but we will also give the time and attention to those who matter most to us.
Talk with you soon, my friend - Brett
Recent blog post from Brett Legree: from dusk till dawn. a story about running.
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