Brands People Rave About and Why

Monday, 19 April 2010

If you have read any of the popular literature about how to market your business using social medial, I’m sure by now you have heard of “brand advocates”. These are individuals that are so impressed with your brand that they will tell others about it. Honestly, this just seems like common sense to me that you would want this. This is nothing new and nothing exclusive to the social media age that businesses would want happy customers. However, since it is easier now to spread opinions to a large number of people very quickly than it ever has been, it is more important that it ever that businesses be concerned about how consumers view their brand. (more…)

Which Golden Ticket Winner Are You?

Monday, 15 February 2010

I recently watched Charlie and The Chocolate Factory again and as I was watching the lovable Charlie Bucket take a tour through the magnificent Wonka chocolate factory, I couldn’t help but think of the golden ticket winners as different sorts of “personality” types on the social sites I visit. Watching the consequences of each golden ticket winner’s behavior somewhat reminded me of the results I see many companies experience with their social media programs.

Is your company’s online presence like the lovable Charlie Bucket with a big bright smile and happy to be there? Or is it like the greedy Augustus Gloop? Spoiled Veruca Salt? Competitive Violet Beauregard? Or the chocolate-hating techie Mike Teevee? How do the other users see your company? Do they secretly smile when your company gets sent to the juicing room or does your online presence have your firm headed for a special grand prize and the audience happy to see you receive it?

Are You Getting Your Point Across?

Thursday, 11 February 2010

Do you feel like you are sometimes missing the mark with your online strategy, marketing or sales campaigns? Often miscues in these areas aren’t so much failures of creative but failures of communication. Effective communication is always at the heart of any effective sales or marketing program.

Now I’m not suggesting you need to be a slick used car salesman type who knows all the tricks, but what I am suggesting is that if you aren’t effectively communicating, how could any potential customer know why they should buy your product or service? (more…)

Sell Yourself To Sell Your Product

Monday, 1 February 2010

Anyone in the sales or marketing game knows that sales are very often made between individuals and not between companies. Personal traits can create a bond or level of comfort and trust that goes well beyond the features of what comes in a box and can lead to a vast numbers of sales. This has perhaps never been more evident than right now.

With the explosion of social media, the opportunities to sell one’s self are greater than at anytime in recent history. But despite this, I often find most individuals sell themselves short when this topic arises. Most individuals are not comfortable promoting themselves and often engage in making excuses for themselves. But please remember, this is the self-talk that defines you to yourself. Positive self-talk will create a positive self-image. (more…)

5 Social Media Lessons From Fleetwood Mac “Rumours”

Thursday, 28 January 2010

As we all know, marketing has recently undergone some massive shifts in the tactics that businesses are now employing. Some seem to be very positive changes, some not so much. Personally, I am looking forward to the day that I can drive down the street once again and not see teenagers standing on the sidewalk obnoxiously twirling abominably bright and big signs in an effort to get me to visit the local pizza joint or burger chain that is employing them. I consider this to be roadside spam and am patiently waiting for it to go away.

On the other hand, and on a more positive note, social media marketing is one of the most exciting trends that businesses both large and small have rushed to get on board with in recent memory. The transparency and interaction with customers that many businesses are now participating in is rather refreshing. Additionally, the creative ways businesses are utilizing social media tools has ushered in an era of marketing that is very exciting in a wide variety of ways. (more…)