1/20/2025-On this Day: Martin Luther King, Jr.

There’s a lot in common between a preacher and a seller: both are passionate about influencing the minds of others. Follow Martin Luther King Jr.’s lead and focus on what is best for your customers.

Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15th,1929, but he is honored today.

But, how can MLK help you sell more?

While today’s quote refers to broader societal issues, it works for sellers who should put their quota in the back seat while always putting their buyers’ broad needs first.

Whether you’re working today or taking it easy, it’s wise to pause and think about what you can do to put your customers first.

In honor of King, use these questions to focus your buyer first approach:

1. What are the unexpected things you can do for your customers? …what’s the above and beyond? (Favors, added-value, etc.)

2. How can you make all of your buyers feel more heard and respected?

Martin Luther King., Jr. was a great seller himself…model him when thinking about how you can be exemplary to your prospects and clients.

The campaign for a federal holiday in King’s honor began soon after his assassination in 1968. President Ronald Reagan signed the holiday into law in 1983, and it was first observed three years later on January 20, 1986, and officially observed in all 50 states for the first time in 2000.

There’s a lot in common between a preacher and a seller: both are passionate about influencing the minds of others. And yet, referring to King and one who sells professional services in the same sentence feels contrived. Either way, focus on what King emphasized: who are you trying to help? …and why?

No doubt King had moments when he questioned his convictions and purpose, and that might be the same with you.

Stick to the basics…focus on your beliefs and let them drive your actions.

Again…who are you trying to help? Why? And, who besides you can better serve your customers?

While capturing MLK’s life in a 4-minute video is impossible, this video is as good as it gets.

Big dreams move mountains, and King had a big dream to transform the United States’ understanding of racial inequality and his campaign for equal treatment under the law.

No matter your personal affinity or like for each buyer on your list, they deserve equal treatment and to be heard without regard to your quota.