2:38pm
Saint Paul
Here’s a 2,171-year-old marketing fact about today, February 5:
Feb 5 was the end of the third Punic war in 146 BC, marking the destruction of the city-state Carthage by the city-state Rome.
Why did Rome destroy Carthage?
And what’s this have to do with marketing?
A few years earlier, Cato the Elder had visited Carthage, which was where modern-day Tunisia is located.
Carthage was wealthy, which meant powerful, and growing more so every year.
Cato believed Carthage posed a threat to Rome’s power. He was probably right.
So Cato, a senator in Rome, started called for its destruction at the end of every speech he gave in the senate.
Even if the topic was unrelated, Cato would end with,
“…and that’s why Carthage must fall.”
At first, no one listened.
But he continued.
And in just a few short years, he persuaded the Senate that Carthage was indeed a threat.
So the Roman army attacked Carthage, and completely destroyed it.
(Fun fact: 100 years later, Rome returned to the same area and built a new city with the same name.)
Just goes to show, relentless repetition of your message is important to get your ideas into people’s brains.
If you run a business, how’s your marketing going?
Are you repeating your benefits or your offer often enough, in a persuasive or interesting way?
If not, or if you don’t like marketing or writing, reply now. We can talk about your business and see if there’s a way I can help.
Until then, that’s why Carthage must fall.
Jeffrey