Tis better to risk ruffling feathers than risk being ignored.

If your advertising/marketing doesn’t grab attention, and possibly even ruffle some feathers, it may not be that good. Because, as everyone knows, about 90% of people are numb to about 90% of ads. And, if your message gets overlooked you’ve just wasted your time and money. Not that an ad has to be controversial to be effective, but, those that are — if also truthful, on strategy, and highly creative — often generate the best results. Like these:

Controversy: The minister initially rejected it believing that it would offend some church members. But he also understood and appreciated what we were trying to do. When the ad finally ran, many conservative church members were offended.

Results: Younger, non-church members (the main target audience) loved it and the provocative campaign helped increase membership over 30% by the 2nd year. It also got positive press in The New York Times. The minister later informed us that many people told him that, of all the ads, this was their favorite — and the most memorable. The campaign is featured in Prentice-Hall’s Principles of Marketing and this Fall marks the 11th consecutive year of the nationally recognized campaign.

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Controversy: Daffy’s Off-Price retail message is that you’re crazy to pay retail. Yet, some hated this ad so much they actually picketed in the streets. The Alliance for the Mentally Ill insisted that the ad was very offensive.

Results: Major press in The New York Times, etc which fueled sales and helped add to a 25% dollar volume increase. Clearly, many others disagreed with The Alliance. (See other Daffy’s ads)

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Controversy: Picking on Smuckers Jam is like picking on Mom and apple pie. Yet, to make our point we believed we had to do it. Fortunately, our savvy client agreed eventhough he knew that Smuckers might try to sue his pants off.

Results: A 90% sales increase the first month, a featured article in Forbes, and no lawsuit. Because what we said was true. In fact, the results were so dramatic that our client doubled his media spending the following month and the campaign went on to become a case study taught at Harvard Business School.

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Controversy: Our original client rejected the ad fearing negative feedback. So, we found another client — one who believed in the message enough to run it and stand behind it.

Results: A month after the print ad ran we got a request from the client for 1000 posters because so many schools, social workers and protective care agencies were requesting copies of it. Our agency later received the first ever United Nations Humanitarian Award for an ad.

To view some of our less controversial work, visit:
http://www.follisinc.com/theads.htm

Hear John Follis talk about the campaigns that built his award-winning ad agency and explain why most small business owners need therapy. (Download MP3)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Listen to the podcast that lets you hear how other business owners solve their tough marketing problems.

http://themarketingshow.net

You’re bound to read plenty of articles about how to succeed this year. Some undoubtedly have great tips, but just as many have uninspired, absurdly upbeat ideas that you’ve read a hundred other times. So, I thought I’d mix it up a little with a primer on how to shoot yourself in the foot, create your own problems, and just plain screw up this year.

No, I don’t want you to follow my advice, but these not so gentle reminders will help you avoid some of the most common ways that so many of us fail. Enjoy! (more…)

It’s ALWAYS better to Attract than Chase.

This tip may be the most important one of all. So, I have to say it again:
It’s ALWAYS better to Attract than Chase.

This is not rocket science. If you can …

1) determine the core emotional desire or need of your customer
2) address that desire or need with a really good solution
3) present that solution in a way that’s not agressive (ie: attracts their attention and motivates them…)

…then they’ll be lining up at your door. It’s the difference between smart, respectful marketing, and selling.
(more…)

Part 3 with a Q&A covering:

• Importance of having a great product.
• Case Study: Sorrell Ridge Jam
• Viral Marketing.
• Case Studies: Jib Jab and Blendtec
• Marketing the “Emotional” benefit.
• Measuring Effectiveness.

Hear Final Part

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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.

Listen to the podcast that lets you hear how other buisness owners solve their tough marketing problems.

Don’t underestimate the power of a great card. A business card is one of the most important, and most overlooked, elements of any marketing effort. It’s often the first impression that a prospect will have of your business. So, rather than ignore it, why not make it an impressive, memorable reflection of your product or service?

It’s almost comical how often at networking events people will blather on and on about their product or service and then hand out the most lame, cheesy-looking card. Not exactly a great credibility builder, is it.

Can you imagine a business card sparking a conversation, that sparked a meeting, that led to a 93 thousand dollar project? I can, because it happened to me. If you want to hear the story and see the card, just leave me a comment below and ask for the “card story.” I’ll be happy to share it with you.

It pays to be creative. The more creative your message is, the more memorable it will be. The more memorable it is, in a positive way, the better your chance of making a sale. Here’s one Follis example:

Click here to see more.