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Marketing Lessons From a Legend – Can You Guess Who?

This pioneer may not be considered a thought leader when it comes to marketing, but when you take a closer look at what made him a legend, you’ll see that is exactly what he was. He paved the way for future marketers and left some important lessons in his trail…do you know who this is?  Here are some clues:

1. He identified a need and he filled it. He was the first person to introduce much of the world to something that would change their lives for the better- and it still plays a role in our lives today. His dream was to provide a solution to an anticipated and growing need¹²³, and his ideas and actions were revolutionary.

2. He was an expert. With his knowledge, skills, and expertise, he quickly made a name for himself as an expert in his field and thought leader in his community⁴.

3. He offered something of value. How do you convince someone to try something that is completely foreign to them? You start by “planting the seed” and letting them experience first hand the benefits of what you have. Eventually, you build a business- which is just what he did³⁵.

4. He was passionate. Although he was highly knowledgeable, it was his passion that set him apart and built confidence and trust among people. In fact, we was known to be passionate about most things in life- so much so that some legends even call him crazy⁶ while others say he was a genius⁴.

5. He maintained an outward focus. His service and success took years of dedication, as he would regularly return to tend to the “seeds he planted”⁴. He was known to have gone the extra “mile” (or 100,000 square miles⁵), solidifying his reputation and forming positive relationships all along the way³.

6. He was generous. Known for his kindness and love of all things, he happily helped those in need and chose a humble existence so that he could continue his life’s dream¹².

7. He was memorable. An encounter with him would make a lasting impression. Dressed in a coffee sack for clothing and a cooking pot on his head⁵, he was thought to be eccentric, knowledgeable, and benevolent¹³- someone people would not likely forget!

8. He stood for something. Whether people thought he was crazy or just passionate, one thing they agreed on was that he was devout in his religion. People knew what he believed in and what he stood for, which helped him earn his status as a legend⁴.

9. He led by example. His legacy is as much for what he did as it is for how did it, which is why he was considered a legend even while he was still alive⁴.

Do you know who it is?

Meet Jonathan Chapman, also known as “Johnny Appleseed”. He was born on 9/26/1774 and died on 3/18/1845. Johnny was an expert nurseryman and was thought to have traveled throughout the Midwestern US spreading apple seeds that he gathered from cider mills and growing orchards along the way.  He is celebrated for introducing the apples that would eventually make hard cider, and for his lifelong acts of kindness and generosity⁴.

Bonus question:
It is believed by some that this tech giant drew inspiration from Johnny Appleseed for their logo⁴. Do you know who it is? Check your answer on the FiveamCoffee Facebook page.

September 26 is Johnny Appleseed Day!

I invite you to “spread” your marketing seeds below by commenting with:

1. The URL to your website or blog
2. ONE thing (of the possibly many) that you have in common with Mr. Appleseed

Please share this with friends who would also appreciate the link and let’s have some tapping in to our own “Johnny Appleseed”!

Sources:
1http://www.appleappetite.com/Johnny.htm
2http://cleveland.about.com/od/peopleandpets/p/johnnyappleseed.htm
3http://www.bestapples.com/kids/teachers/johnny.shtml
4http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Appleseed
5http://www.americaslibrary.gov/jb/revolut/jb_revolut_apple_1.html
6http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2010/10/johnny-appleseed-was-a-real-person/