What makes the belief “a great product sells itself” a misleading myth in business?

While having a great product is essential, the myth that it will sell itself without marketing, positioning, or sales effort is dangerously misleading. Many startups and small businesses fall into this trap, assuming quality alone guarantees market traction.
Why this myth is flawed:
Lack of Awareness: A product, no matter how great, will remain unknown if no one hears about it.
Market Education: Even superior products need to educate customers on their benefits and use cases.
Competitive Noise: Markets are crowded. Without promotion, even the best products get lost amid louder competitors.
Value Perception: Customers must perceive value; this perception is shaped through marketing, branding, and storytelling.
Distribution Matters: If a great product doesn’t reach the right audience at the right time, sales will stagnate.
Success comes from the combination of product excellence and business strategy, including marketing, sales, and customer experience.
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