Hey, want to see what advertising was like 30 years ago?
100 years ago?
3000 years ago?
Well then sit back, hold on to your mouse, and click here. Then tell us what time period is your favorite.
Keep up with technology. I suspect that the folks who’d benefit most from this tip are probably not the ones reading this blog. Or, any blog. The Bible says “the meek shall inherit the Earth” but that’s a typo.” It was meant to be “geek.” So, if you’re still trying to figure out how to make an online payment or play a podcast, I suggest you take a deep breath and get in touch with your inner geek. Or, make friends with your 14-year old neighbor.
Passion Power. I’ll never forget a comment from ad legend, Tom McElligott, who was asked the secret to his phenomenal success in selling edgy creative work to clients. “It has nothing to do with selling,” explained McElligott, “it’s about passion. Clients can sense if you truly believe in what you’re presenting. That’s often the difference in getting a something approved, or not.” I’ve found the same to be true in my experience. So, hopefully you’re genuinely excited about your product or service. And, if you’re not, you’d better figure out why.
(See “The Power of Passion” from my “How to Attract Your Prospects” Booklet.
According to a Reuters story there are maybe six analysts covering newspaper companies. Two years ago, there were 12 — not a huge number in itself. But the potential loss of knowledge about an entire industry is occurring at a frightening pace.
Last week, The New York Times reported on an Obama logo “deliberately reminiscent of the official seal of the president of the United States.” So, what do you think — savvy marketing or arrogance? (Click “Comment” link below)
It’s better to upset a few people than bore every. Consumers are hit with thousands of messages a day. If a marketer can’t cut through or go around it, he’s wasting money. That’s why it pays to be bold. In fact, I tell my clients that if an ad concept doesn’t make them a little nervous, then it’s probably not that good. That does not mean being irresponsible. But it also doesn’t mean being boring. Remember, the job is to get people excited, not just informed. And a smart, bold effort will do that better, and for less money, than something innocuous and uninspired.
What some companies don’t seem to realize is that no one is ever bored into buying a product. And what they perceive as “safe” is actually a high risk because it’s unexciting. No marketer can afford to lose sight of the purpose of marketing: to reach, and motivate, as many prospects as possible. Therefore it’s impossible not to offend someone, somewhere, sometime about something. So, rather than ask; “Are we offending anyone?” the better question is, “Are we getting anyone excited?”
Some of our agency examples:
If TWITTER is the website, and a Twitter post is a TWEET,
does that make a frequent user a TWIT?
People don’t like to be hit on. They like to be engaged by something they’ve discovered. They like to be creatively attracted, entertained, and informed. So invest less on sales and more on smart, creative marketing.
Last week I had the pleasure of meeting Alan Levy, the founder and CEO of a very cool new media called BlogTalkRadio. Check it out:
Listen to the podcast that lets you hear how other buisness owners solve their tough marketing problems.
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