Biblical Marketing For Small Business in 2018
Nate Fortner Last Updated 9/1/2018
Many times, we forget that growing a successful business requires hard work. Business success isn’t free, nor does it come cheap. You may not have the wisdom of King Solomon, or the good looks of King David, but one thing you must have is a determination to succeed. Most of us are familiar with the Biblical story of David and Goliath. David had just been anointed by the Prophet Samuel to be King over Israel. God was no longer pleased with King Saul as the leader over His people.
The stones David picked from the brook, were weapons to take down the obstacle. David chose five stones, but he only needed one. In business, you will face obstacles from time to time. The forgotten four stones are the weapons you will use to rid your business of Goliath's in your path. The biggest Goliath you will face in business will be Obscurity. Although David only needed one stone, we’ll be using the four forgotten stones as well.
Jesse, who was David’s Father, one day asked him to take some food to David’s brothers who were fighting in battle against the Philistines. When David arrived, he was astonished to find the Israelite army cowering in fear, afraid of Goliath. Goliath was a giant in the land who was cussing the God of the Israelites, full of pride and ready to fight.
When the young boy David saw what was going on, he questioned the faith of the Israelite soldiers. After a meeting with King Saul, David went to the brook, picked up five round smooth stones, and marched into the valley. David yelled, “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that defiles the name of the Lord God of Israel?” Goliath, the giant, mocked David and made fun of him. David had an obstacle in front of him, but determination and faith in God charged his spiritual battery, and he found himself running toward Goliath.
Maybe today you’re facing a Goliath-sized problem in your business, and you need a David to remove the giant.
What Do the Five Stones Represent?
Stone#1: Product
Stone#2: Marketing & Promotion
Stone#3: Branding
Stone#4: Omnipresence
Stone#5: Teamwork
Stone#1 (Product) – Product is a given. It’s the product or service you provide to the consumer. Stone #2-#3 are the means by which you sling stone #1. Stone #4-#5 are how you kill the Goliath of obscurity. Without stones #2-#5 you will never kill Goliath.
Stone#2 (Marketing & Promoting)
Marketing – The action or business of promoting and selling products or services, including market research and advertising.
Promotion – To further the progress of something, especially a cause, venture, or aim; support or actively encourage.
What was David Marketing & Promoting?
By faith in God, he was marketing victory. “We can defeat this uncircumcised Philistine!” By one courageous act, he promoted freedom. “This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you.”
Stone#3 (Branding)
Branding - According to Entrepreneur Magazine, Branding is the marketing practice of creating a name, symbol or design that identifies and differentiates a product from other products.
What was David Branding?
While the armies of Israel branded themselves as cowards, afraid to fight Goliath, David branded himself as courageous, fully relying on God. Not one ounce of doubt could be found in him. He even refused King Saul’s armor.
Stone#4 (Omnipresence)
Omnipresence – Present everywhere at the same time. Widely or constantly encountered; common or widespread.
How was David Omnipresent?
David went on to fight and win many battles across the land. Everywhere he marched, he was victorious. He was persistent and consistent. Everyone everywhere knew David as a mighty man of God who would conquer and destroy any enemy who dared tempt the God of Jacob.
Stone#5 (Teamwork)
Teamwork – the combined action of a group of people, especially when effective and efficient.
How did David engage in Teamwork?
The day David killed Goliath, he ran down the mountain into the valley with his sling and took Goliath out before he even knew he had been hit! It only took one stone to kill the giant, but David had four more. Many believe it was because David was prepared incase Goliath’s four brothers showed up to challenge him. However, once David took out Goliath, the Philistine soldiers began to flee. Then, the Israelite army pursued them, killing all they could find. By no stretch of the imagination, would the young boy David have been capable of chasing and killing the Philistine army with only four stones, but because of teamwork, he didn’t have too!
So, now that we’ve gone over the Four Forgotten Stones of business, have you figured out what David’s product was?
What was David’s Product?
King Saul had lost favor with God, and so God was positioning David to reign as King, moving him from the field to the palace. David would soon take over the throne. Like all great leaders, David showed confidence, faith, courage, strength, and trust in God. David became King in 1010 BC.
Who would have thought that we could learn so much about growing a business from a Bible story we read to our children before bedtime? If you follow the business model of David, I truly believe that you will position yourself to reign in the market place.
“Success is only in the sling of the one willing to aim high enough.”
~Nate Fortner
Nate Fortner, Author of, "Success Requires Action"
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