Thoughts on Marketing…

Want to do something today – right now – that will help build your business?
If you have a pen, a piece of paper, an envelope, and a stamp, you can do just that. You can write a thank you note.
In fact, you’ll do even better if you write a dozen thank you notes. And if [...]

Small business marketers across the world are trying to get their message out to consumers – and failing miserably.
They know they have a wonderful product or service, but somehow, no matter how often they send a letter or an e-mail, and no matter how often they pay to have their message printed in a publication, [...]

We all have different thresholds regarding wrong and right, moral and immoral.
I personally think it’s immoral to abandon a dog. Someone else thinks its no big deal. But this isn’t about dogs…
It’s about marketing, and things you can do to promote yourself and your business.
I just read about a business that donated 150 tuxedos to [...]

Here’s another tidbit from that Bob Bly email from a couple of days ago:

***Invent your own words***
Want to make your product stand out? Invent a new term to describe it.

Consumer example: Miller Brewing advertising its beer as “cold filtered.”

Business example: Mike Hammer called his approach to business improvement “re-engineering.”

Advantage: if people accept the term and [...]

Face it – the only people who want someone who is “new” are the ones who are so hoping to get a low price that they’re willing to take a chance on you.
They might even offer to let you work for them for free in order to build your reputation, your portfolio, your experience, etc.
Phooey [...]

You should, you know.
Testimonials are valuable assets on your web site and in your marketing materials, because they lend credibility and trust to your marketing message. They also work in non-profit fundraising to show potential donors that a cause is worthy.
Think about the last time you heard someone tell you how great they were. Weren’t [...]

Last week I joined Twitter – I’m not sure why, but many of the experts say it’s a fine way to get your name and what you do in front of potential clients.
That said, if you’re going to “tweet” then you should have a method to your madness. Rather than use it to say “just [...]