Position First / Top / Front and Center Is Your Most Powerful Strategy In Marketing

One of the biggest mistakes I made when I first got into marketing was believing that if I just built a great ad, people would magically show up and buy. Spoiler alert: they didn’t.

I fell for that classic marketing myth—"If you build it, they will come." Yeah… they never came. And let me tell you, after spending hours crafting what I thought was the perfect campaign, only to see it flop, that was a tough pill to swallow.

Meanwhile, I’d see some of the worst-looking ads and the most boring websites out there raking in views and leads. It didn’t make sense… until I realized why.

It wasn’t about having the best ad. It was about positioning. The businesses that were getting the most attention weren’t necessarily better; they were just being seen first. They had prime real estate on Google, and that alone gave them an unfair advantage.

Positioning is the biggest leverage a business can have. If you lock in that top spot—whether it’s on Google, in your industry, or in front of your ideal customers—you’re already winning. Because unless your ad is truly awful, visibility alone is enough to drive success.

That’s why the #1 priority for any business should be securing that first position. Everything else comes second.

Securing Top Positioning Should Be Your Main Focus - In Marketing AND In Life

No matter what you’re doing—whether it’s ranking at the top of Google, being the first to call a potential client, or standing front and center in a big presentation—the one who gets seen first has the upper hand.

Think about it:

When people search for something on Google, how often do they scroll past the first few results? Almost never. In fact, the top three search results get a whopping 68.7% of all clicks, meaning businesses at the top get the clicks, the calls, and the sales. Being on that coveted first page is where the magic happens, and the higher you rank, the better your chances of being noticed. (FirstPageSage)

If you’re reaching out to a company to pitch your product, being the first in their inbox or on the phone makes you the benchmark. Everyone else is just an afterthought. Studies show that emails opened within the first hour have 21% higher open rates, meaning the earlier you reach out, the more likely your message will be seen and acted upon. (Mailchimp)

Ever been in a meeting where multiple people are pitching ideas? The first one to speak sets the tone, grabs attention, and sticks in people’s minds. That first impression can make or break your pitch, and research shows that first impressions are formed in just 7 seconds, which is why getting in there early can be so powerful. (Psychology Today)

Streaming services? The first movie or show recommended on Netflix gets watched the most. According to Netflix, 80% of what people watch comes from recommendations, and the first item that appears on the list is the one most likely to grab attention. It’s all about being at the top of the recommendation list.

Restaurants? The first one you see with great reviews on Google is usually the one you pick. 92% of consumers read online reviews before making decisions, and the highest-rated restaurants are often the first to pop up on local search results. (BrightLocal)

Retail? The brands that get prime shelf space at eye level in stores sell way more than the ones hidden at the bottom. Studies show that products at eye level are more likely to be bought simply because they’re more visible, proving that positioning can drive purchasing decisions.

Email marketing? The first email in someone’s inbox has a much higher chance of being opened than the 10th one down. In fact, emails received within the first hour of being sent get 21% higher open rates, showing that timing and positioning in the inbox matter. (Mailchimp)

Public speaking? The first speaker at an event sets the energy and leaves a lasting impact. Research shows that audiences remember the first speaker far more than those who follow, as they establish the tone and energy for the rest of the presentation.

Online shopping? Most people buy from the first few listings on Amazon—rarely do they scroll to page two. With nearly 60% of shoppers purchasing from the top few listings, being on that first page is crucial. (Feedvisor)

In conclusion, positioning yourself front and center—whether in search results, marketing campaigns, presentations, or even retail—is essential to gaining attention, boosting engagement, and ultimately achieving success. When you're first, you grab the spotlight, establish authority, and make a lasting impact. It’s not just about being good; it’s about being seen. And when you’re at the top, you have the chance to shine brighter than everyone else.

How Important Is First Positioning?

When you really think about it, positioning is everything. Whether you're talking about a business’s physical location, an online presence, or even a simple presentation—the spot you occupy can make or break your success.

Take a look at businesses like McDonald's or Starbucks. You’ll never find them tucked away in the back alley. Instead, they strategically position themselves in the busiest, most visible areas. Why? Because they know the closer they are to the action, the more likely people are to see them, walk in, and make a purchase. That’s the power of location. It’s all about visibility. When you’re front and center, you’re guaranteed to get attention.

The same principle applies to online positioning, especially when it comes to Google search results. It’s no surprise that the first position on Google gets the lion's share of clicks—39.8% of all clicks, to be exact. That’s far more than second or third place. In fact, first place gets 2-3 times more clicks than second place, and even the third position can’t hold a candle to the first. (FirstPageSage)

And the drop-off doesn’t stop there. The fourth position gets only about 6.1% of the clicks, and from there, it’s a rapid decline. By the time you get to the bottom of the page, you might as well be invisible—the lower you rank, the less likely anyone is to see you. (FirstPageSage)

But here’s the thing—this principle goes beyond just search rankings. Positioning yourself front and center is crucial in any scenario. Think about presentations: if you’re not in the spotlight, if you’re not engaging your audience from the beginning, chances are, you’ll lose their attention. That’s why top speakers and presenters focus on grabbing the first few minutes to make an impact and set the stage for success.

Positioning yourself in front isn’t just for businesses and search rankings—it’s for anyone looking to make an impact. Whether you’re setting up a physical storefront, crafting a marketing strategy, or giving a presentation, you need to make sure you’re strategically placed where the attention is. First position means more eyes on you, more interaction, and more opportunities to succeed.

So, if you want to stand out, be front and center—whether it’s your business, your content, or your ideas. The better positioned you are, the better your chances are for success.

My Marketing Motto: Secure Positioning First Then Worry About How Good Your Ad Is

Everyone’s always talking about conversions like they’re the ultimate goal of marketing right now. Don’t get me wrong, conversions are fantastic, but they should be second priority. First positioning should always come first. If you’re focusing on conversions but aren’t even getting eyes on your ad, it’s like throwing a party and no one showing up. Heartbreaking, right?

If you need to invest in securing that top spot, or at least a spot near the top, do it. Seriously. There’s no point in holding back on your budget if you’re not making more out of it. And the only way to get more is to actually get people to see your ad. Life’s all about taking risks, and this is one risk worth taking.

For me, when it comes to my marketing firm, my #1 priority is getting my ads—and my clients’ ads—in front of as many people as possible. We’re talking about ranking at the top of Google search, nailing those Facebook ads, mastering PPC, and just being front and center when presenting to potential clients. I make sure I’m always top of mind with everyone I connect with. That’s my focus. Everything else? It comes second.

And let me be clear, I don’t care if my client has the best idea in the world. If we haven’t secured that top positioning, then we’re not wasting time or money. Period. It’s all about being seen first.

Now, don’t get me wrong—having a great ad still matters. Of course it does. But what good is a great ad if nobody sees it? I’d much rather have a good enough ad that gets lots of eyes on it than a perfect ad that’s buried somewhere in the depths of the internet with almost no visibility.

Once your positioning is solid, and you’re going head-to-head with the competition, that’s when your ad’s content starts to really matter. That’s when being different, creative, persuasive, and all those other marketing tricks come into play. But until you’re positioned at the top, don’t waste time worrying about crafting the perfect ad. Get in front of your audience first, and then refine your approach from there.

Top positioning is the foundation. Once you have that, you can build everything else around it.

What If It's Impossible To Secure First Positioning?

I get it—landing that top spot is tough, especially when you’re competing with businesses that have bigger budgets or more brand recognition. Who wouldn’t want to be number one, right? But here’s the thing: if you can’t grab that elusive #1 spot, don’t throw in the towel. Strive to be first at something. Why? Because first position is where all the power lies. It’s the sweet spot that puts you ahead of the competition and gives you that crucial edge.

So, how do you secure that first place? Think outside the box. Get resourceful. Go guerrilla warfare style—find those untapped opportunities, the keywords or niches where others aren’t paying attention, and take charge. If you can’t rank #1 for a top keyword, aim for that coveted first page. And if that’s out of reach, target a secondary keyword that might not be as competitive but can still deliver solid results

Conclusion

The key is to always be positioning—even if it’s not in the most obvious or competitive places. If you can’t claim the biggest prize, find another one that can still make a big impact. Because once you’re in that top position, you’re in the game, and that’s when you can start reaping the rewards.

The key takeaway is simple: be first at something. Whether it's ranking on Google, getting your ad noticed, or simply being at the forefront of a conversation, first is the best position to secure. You can have the best website, ad, or product in the world, but if it’s not seen by enough people, it won’t matter.

Being first is not just a luxury; it’s a necessity. Whether you're talking about ads, keywords, or even physical location in a store or event, being first gives you the best chance to succeed. If you’re not first, you’re already at a disadvantage. So, if you want to win, you’ve got to prioritize getting in front of your audience first—because that’s where the real opportunity lies.