When someone asks, “What do you do for a living?” there is only one correct answer.

It’s not “I have a business.” A business is something you own; not something you do.

The correct answer is to declare loudly and proudly…

“I’m a marketer! My specialty is attracting new customers… persuading existing customers to make ever-larger purchases… convincing them to buy more often… and making sure they keep buying from me forever.”

When you define yourself as anything but a marketer, you are setting yourself up to make huge mistakes in the way you run your business that will limit your success.

Remember, every business and every non-profit organization is first and foremost a marketing enterprise. And nothing happens until the cash register rings.

[Ed. Note: Master copywriter Clayton Makepeace publishes the highly acclaimed e-zine The Total Package to help business owners and copywriters accelerate their sales and profits. Claim your 4 free moneymaking e-books -- bursting with tips, tricks, and tactics that'll skyrocket your response rates -- at MakepeaceTotalPackage.com.]