Status goes deeper than you think

Status is basically your perceived position in a social hierarchy how much respect, admiration, or influence people believe you have compared to others.

 

It can come from many sources:

 

  • Material: wealth, possessions, job title, home, cars.

  • Social: who you know, the groups you belong to, your public image.

  • Cultural: education, achievements, knowledge, taste.

  • Moral or symbolic: being humble, charitable, or principled.

Here’s the never ending list: 

 

  • Money you make

  • Opinions you hold

  • Knowledge you acquire

  • Assets you own

  • What dress you wear
  • How beautiful you are
  • Groups you’re part of

  • Country you’re part of
  • Education you receive

  • Institutions you choose

  • Medals you’ve won

  • Positions you’ve held

  • Travels you’ve made

  • How humble you are compared to others

  • How many cars you have

  • How modest you are because you “only have one car”

  • That you’re an entrepreneur

  • That you’ve created three startups

  • That you’ve invested in many startups

Status fundamentally depends on how others perceive you rather than just on objective facts like what you own or have achieved.

 

As a marketer, you need to discover what your customers consider a status symbol and position your product accordingly.