Many marketers have compared the art of marketing to the art of war. Some of the names used by marketers for their systems bears this out.

Don't think so?

What do these programs bring to mind?

* Guerilla Marketing
* The Warriors
* Stealth Marketing

Looking at those names you know these guys mean business. So what separates these successful marketers from the 95% who fail?

They're not smarter than the average marketer, but they do market slightly different.

The vast majority of marketers are going to battle with a shot gun. They have no clear cut target. They are closing their eyes, pulling the trigger and hoping they hit something.

They may occasionally hit something, but sooner or latter they're going to run out of ammunition. Unless they are extremely lucky, their advertising budget will be spent with little or no sales to show for their efforts.

The top marketers on the other hand, think like a sniper. They know that they may only get one chance to close the sale. They take careful aim and make every shot count.

They know their target.

So what do these snipers do?

The most important element in their arsenal is their targeted list. They are masters of building and working their list.

By targeting their market they place the odds in their favor.

By making every shot count they have enough reserve funds to turn around a losing offer and make it into a winner.

If you truly want to succeed, learn the difference between a suspect, a prospect and a customer.

Put away that shot gun and make every shot count.

Start targeting your advertising campaigns and remember, "One shot, one kill!"

Do that and you'll avoid being the next casualty.