IT came to my attention this week that there’s been a flurry of activity with marketing professionals making themselves known, and asking for business, to the annoyance of some businesses in the area.

So it got me to thinking - what is the difference between a marketing pest and a marketing professional?

It has become clear through watching Facebook feeds and Twitter updates that there are marketing ‘experts’ pestering people for business. But are these people successful marketers if they are unable to attract targeted leads, and do you really want to employ someone who hounds you for business?

After a discussion on a Facebook page of a company saying it was “famine time for advertisers and marketing ‘experts’,” my advice was this: “Marketing is about attracting the right clients.

If a marketing company is any good, people will want to do business with them and they will not have to sell. All good marketing firms will attract pre-sold clients.”

To explain in greater detail - a pre-sold client is someone who has already built a relationship with you, without you even speaking or meeting with them.

Maybe the pre-sold client has read blogs, downloaded a free PDF with nuggets of information in it, or subscribed to receive emails.

They may have followed you on Twitter and Facebook, allowing conversations online, without the need for an initial face-to-face meeting.

I admit at the beginning of my journey I spent a lot of time meeting clients, discussing what they wanted and ‘selling’ myself to them.

Now, through successful marketing and proof of expertise, the initial one-toone meeting is no longer required before signing a client.

So beware of the tweets which say ‘Marketing doesn't have to be complicated and costly! Let us simplify it and reduce your spending in just a short meeting’ but take more notice of those who have proof that they know what they are talking about.

Look at marketers’ blogs; download their free information (they must have some, and beware if they do not) and watch out for those who pester you for leads or business.

In short, successful marketing professionals attract your attention and earn permission to connect with you.

Those others who pester you for business - avoid at all costs.