Which of these seven types of marketers are you?

Like some of you, I have joined the lists of many marketers -- not as much to learn about their products as to watch and observe how they market to their prospects.

Certain patterns, similarities and consistencies in the attitudes, personas, and actions of those marketers I've observed suggest to me that there are marketing "types" or MOs that can be grouped together to describe IMers.

• No, this is not scientific.
• Yes, my "types" or classifications are very subjective.
• Yes, often marketers span the boundaries of more than one type.
• No, there is not a good, or bad, or most profitable, or preferred marketing type.

Here they are. Pick one. Where do you fit? What type of marketer are you most often?

Evangelist - You're here to preach the gospel of your product or service. This is not just a job - you're on a mission to spread the word and convert the world. Testimonials abound and you often gather the saints for a revival (but sorry, no recordings for later playback).

Sympathizer - You personally know the pain your customer is feeling. You've been there, done that. You bootstrapped your way to success and are now uniquely and unequivocally qualified to offer things that you wish you had when you were starting out. Everything used to be mac and cheese - now it's steak and creme brulee and you want to share.

Ally - You want to be everyone's friend. You are here to help without thought of your own profit. You answer all your emails personally and sell yourself as your customer's BFF. Your name may not be a household word, but you're close friends with Oprah, LeBron, and Mother Teresa. No doubt you thrive on recruiting affiliates and finding marketing partners.

Hammer - You're a machine. You have no use for relationships, creativity or personal interaction. Send your offer to millions and a percentage will buy. Test, track, repeat, repeat, clockwork. A good product is one that sells. Who cares what it is or what it does? Data bases are manna, the bigger the better. Bots, apps, plug-ins, and ARs are the only friends you need. Pound, pound, again and again and the dollars add up.

Angel - You were sent by God to watch over your niche and you're going to bless the lives of every contact you make. Good, right, consensus, and everyone working together will prevail and Satan and his minions will be chained! If we all assist one another we can live in a happy family and bear each others' burdens. How you play is more important than winning.

Pioneer - Let's cross the plains together. I will be your leader, you follow me exactly and do what I tell you and success is almost guaranteed. I'll draw up the map, blaze the trail and show you the way to the promised land. Don't listen to others - I'm the hero - just do this, then this, then this. Trust me.

Predator - Tact, good taste, and social conventions are limitations and I want no part of them. I'm here to make a sale, period. Who cares if I ruffle feathers, exploit weaknesses or newbies, even interrupt others with crass or ambush tactics? Spam is just a strategy. Sensitivity is for wimps. You have no tolerance for rules, political correctness or others opinions.

Share your type.

Steve