Real-World Marketing Tips: How to Attract Customers

 

Marketing isn’t just posting on social media, running ads, or printing flyers. It’s about making people care about what you offer. I learned this lesson the hard way when I tried to sell handmade candles online. I thought that if I uploaded nice pictures, people would start buying. They didn’t. The reason was simple. I didn’t understand who I was talking to, why they would care, and how to reach them.

This happens to many new entrepreneurs. They concentrate on what they want to sell rather than why someone would want to buy it.

Understand Your Audience Like A Friend

Seth Godin, one of the world’s most respected marketers, says:

"Don’t look for customers for your products. Look for products for your customers."

When I began asking my candle customers questions, such as “What kind of scents do you love? Do you want candles for relaxation or decoration?” I found that most people wanted something to help them relax after work. This insight changed my messaging. Instead of saying “Handmade candles available,” my ads started saying:

“Light this candle, close your eyes, and let the stress melt away.”

Takeaway

Speak to your audience as if you were talking to a friend. Learn about their fears, desires, and problems before trying to sell anything.

Tell Stories, Not Features

People don’t buy features; they buy stories. For example:

Featured-Focused – “This Phone has a 48MP Camera”

Story-Focused – “Capture your baby’s first steps with crystal-clear detail, even in low light”

Nike is a perfect example. They don’t just say, “We sell shoes.” They say, “Just Do It,” showing real athletes pushing their limits. Their ads evoke strong emotions.

When I changed my candle shop’s Instagram posts from simple product photos to short videos that show people using the candles while they read, meditate, or have dinner, engagement doubled. Sales increased as well.

Use The Power of Social Proof

Have you ever picked a restaurant just because you saw a line outside? That’s social proof. People have confidence in what others already believe in.

Example from the real world :

Amazon’s “4.5 stars from 10,000+ reviews” is not just information. It sends a message that says, “Thousands of people liked this. You probably will too.”

Ask every happy customer for a testimonial, picture, or short video. It may feel awkward at first, but it is worth it.

Consistency Beats Creativity

Gary Vaynerchuk, a well-known entrepreneur and marketer, often says:

"One piece of content every day is better than one perfect piece once a month."

When I first tried Instagram marketing, I only posted when I had the perfect photo and caption. Weeks passed with no updates, and my account didn’t grow. Once I began posting daily, even if it was just simple tips, behind-the-scenes videos, or a quick poll, my engagement tripled.

Coca-Cola’s campaigns have evolved over the years. However, their consistent branding, including the "happiness" theme, red color, and iconic logo, has helped them stay relevant for decades.

Solve Problems, Don’t Just Sell

People don’t wake up thinking, “I want to buy a new service or product.” They think, “I want my life to be easier, better, or happier.”

Example: Uber didn’t promote itself as "an app with GPS tracking." Instead, it said: "Get a ride in minutes. No need to wait for a taxi."

When I wrote, “Having trouble sleeping? Our lavender candle can help you relax naturally,” customers began to buy it. They weren't just looking for decoration.

Offline + Online = Stronger Results

Many small business owners believe that marketing only involves digital ads. In reality, combining offline and online efforts usually works best.

Case in Point: A friend of mine runs a small bakery. She gives out free samples at local events and then asks people to follow her Instagram for a discount. This simple approach doubled her customer base in six months.

Track What Is Wrong

One of my biggest mistakes early on was spending money on ads without checking the results. I spent ₹5,000 on Facebook ads and didn’t make any sales because I didn’t test different audiences.

What I learned

Start Small: Spend ₹500, observe which type of audience clicks the ad more

Scale What Work; Stop What doesn’t

Digital marketing tools like Google Analytics and Facebook Ads Manager can show you exactly which ad, post, or keyword is generating revenue.

Learn From The Best

The quickest way to enhance your marketing is to learn from those who are already successful.

  Seth Godin: Focus on permission-based, trust-building marketing

Philip Kotler: Understand the basics-product, price, place, promotion (4P)

Gary Vaynerchuk: Emphasizes content, consistency, and attention.

-          When I started following their advice, especially on understanding the customer first, my results improved.

Be Patient But Persistent

Marketing is like planting seeds. You won’t see results overnight. It could take weeks or months, but if you quit too soon, you will never get the fruit.

It took three months of daily Instagram posts, replying to DMs, and running small ads before my candle shop began getting regular orders. Most people give up in week two because they expect fast results.

Conclusion

At its core, marketing is about people, their emotions, needs, and trust. Tools like Instagram, Google ads, and flyers are just ways to connect with them. If you can really understand your audience, share meaningful stories, provide evidence, and remain consistent, your marketing will be effective, whether you’re selling candles, software, or cars.

As Seth Godin says:

“Marketing is no longer about the stuff you make, but about the stories you tell.”