Any guess as to what percent of consumer conversations take place OFF line vs Online? Click here to find out > http://www.themarketingshow.net/why-real-relationships-rule-in-a-digital-marketplace-brad-fay

  You know you need marketing help, the questions is: “Who do we hire?” In this SBT Radio interview, John Follis answers that tough question.

Right click to download.

“Some business owners feel they’ve got to be in business a few years before they can even think of getting outside marketing help. Steve Jobs got outside help while he was still working out of his garage.”

– John Follis

See full interview

  The fact about many marketing experts is that they really aren’t. To call yourself an expert today you really need to know your stuff. Too many just don’t. Which is why so many businesses have less-than-great experiences with marketing firms and experts. That’s not a reason not to seek outside help. It’s just a reason to be smart about it. The way to do that is “go behind the curtain”… like Dorothy did.

The point is that if you’re needing marketing help you can’t settle for a slick pitch or even a reference. References do help, but it still takes some “going behind the curtain” work after you get one. This “How to Choose the Best Help” article will help you do that. You can also listen to my recent BlogTalk Radio interview. After all, every business deserves the very best marketing help they can get.

“Getting good marketing help is one of the biggest challenges facing small businesses today,” says Anita Campbell, CEO and publisher of Small Business Trends. In this interview marketing expert, John Follis joins Anita to share his “10 Ways to Qualify Marketing Help.”

PLAY G-cred interview

Listen to John Follis and other top marketing thought leaders discuss the most relevant topics of the day. http://themarketingshow.net

The story as published in “The Power of Persistence” (Motivational Press / Nov ’09) Reference links:

• Kenneth Cole campaign
• Follis Agency Press
• Child Abuse Prevention campaign
• Campaign effectiveness
• White House photo op.

Listen as John discusses his effective Marketing Therapy program.
(or right click this to download .mp3)

In the ad biz there’s a saying that you can’t be very good if you haven’t been fired. I guess that makes me very, very, very, very good.

It’s true that ad people get canned more than most. It’s an industry thing. Nevertheless, four times is kind of a lot and each time, for me, was a painful experience casting doubts about my talent and future. Little did I realize that those firings were directing on a course that would ultimately lead to the co-founding an award-winning Madison Avenue agency and a White House honor.

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