Sales and Marketing

I have heard that a few seconds of advertising time on prime time TV can sell just about anything if the commercial is shaped right. But there are many ways to sell. Sometimes it is a billboard or an advertisement in a magazine, a display in a department store, or a 30 minute sales presentation. Marketing is big business for sure.

I remember a time when we were invited to enjoy a free weekend at a nearby resort if we would only spend 30 minutes listening to an informative talk by one of their sales representatives. And so, needing a little time away and thinking this was a great opportunity we took the bait. After enjoying all of the amenities of this luxury resort we gladly sat through the 30 minutes required. At the end of the sales presentation we were ready to sign on the dotted line and part with all of our saving. By the grace of God we had the good sense to ask for an hour to think about it. In that time we called a dear and wise friend who gave us ten good reasons this was a BAD idea and rescued us from a terrible mistake. But it proved that we are easily persuaded by good marketing!

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We were in a bind. We had devoted four years to developing and producing a Bible Study we were convinced would help women understand every book in God’s Word. We had begun to receive a great deal of affirmation through women who were doing the study. It was changing not only the way they looked at God’s Word but it was also changing their lives. Now we had to find a way of letting churches and small groups know the study was available. They could not do the study if they did not know about it! The problem was simply how we could we get that kind of information into their hands. And so we decided we needed a marketing person.

I had met Nicole, a lovely young woman, at one of the National Religious Broadcasters Conventions who had impressed me greatly. She was a marketing rep for a huge Christian organization that specialized in massive events for women. We hit it off immediately. And so whenever she would come to Atlanta from Texas she would stop by my house for a cup of tea and good conversation.

Meanwhile, the Board began to pray more intensely for a marketing person. We had no idea who God might send us but we knew we needed someone with experience as we knew nothing about sales. One afternoon Nicole dropped by and brought Rachel, one of her sale associates. We were sitting on the porch sipping ice tea when I said, “Why don’t you two quit your jobs and come work with us!” I had said that to Nicole on numerous occasions and we both knew I was joking (sort of!).

But today the response nearly blew me away. Rachel answered, “I am moving to Atlanta to be closer to family. My sister lives here and I will be looking for a job. I have a degree in sales and marketing and also three years of experience in the same company Nicole is with, and I would be so happy to investigate further what you have in mind!”

A week later we had a contract for Rachel. The added bonus was that she would be living with her sister for a while until she could find a place to stay. Her sister just happened to live a very short distance from the office!

Rachel was with us for about three years. She met a man, got engaged then married and then pregnant before she decided to stay home and be a mom. But she was a gift to us right from the Throne of Grace!

But it is still amazing to me how God brought us what we needed at just the right time and in such a creative way.

Philippians 4:19

And my God shall supply all of your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.