As we watch dysfunction after dysfunction unfold in Washington D.C. I can’t help thinking this would never fly in the 
“real” business world. As a matter of fact, I think it’s safe to say that if you did the opposite of how they do things in the “Logic-free Zone”, as some call it, you’d be primed for success. [Read more…] about How NOT to Run Your Business – Lessons from Government
You Don’t Have to Do It All Yourself
Two weeks ago in my B2B networking group, the topic about asking for help was brought up. A member asked, “Why is it so hard for business owners to ask for help?” He went on to point out the fact that entrepreneurs got started because they wanted to be independent – it’s a mindset that stems from helping oneself; not getting help. If you don’t mind getting a little heart-to-heart here, let’s address this question as it relates to business owners and marketing. [Read more…] about You Don’t Have to Do It All Yourself
Facebook Pages: To Open or Not To Open
I decided to do a vlog post this week to change things up and put a face behind the words. Check it out and let me know what you think. Is your business page on Facebook open or closed?
Please let me know if you like the vlog post and I may do more for future posts!
Not Your Mother’s Marketing
I read an interesting blog recently that more or less “proved” the essence of social media in an informal way. Jonathan Budd, an internet marketing guru I happened to run across in the past few weeks, performed an experiment with his email list. The more “chummy” his subject line on his email, the more opens he got. This, Jonathan, surmised, was because people were looking for friendship and authenticity.
“We are entering the age of NATURAL conversation. Cheesy marketing messages, “Old” tried sales tactics, all the rest is becoming more transparent then ever. People don’t want that… they want YOU. They want to friggin know YOU. They want to buy your stuff, but they just want to trust you’re a real person first who cares about them!”
All together now. “Awwwwww!!!!”
In essence, social media, email and even text marketing are simply the new modes of transportation for good, old fashioned sales and customer service. Remember door-to-door salesmen and the milk man? Remember when deals were made on just a handshake? Think that…only on rocket launchers (with either a pop and fizz, or a boom! and pyrotechnic sparkles at the end)?
Somewhere along the way, business got more gimmicky than relational. It was the loud, edgy commercial, the slick and cluttered junk mail and people dancing at intersections with your company phone number on a placard. This was the marketing world your mother lived in (and still lives on today for kicks and grins).
But it is no longer your mother’s marketing. This is your grandmother’s marketing on a double grande with whipped 
topping. Sure the tools – social media, SMS or even blogs – make a difference when it comes to where your market is located, but the field is level where every man’s neighbor, friend, brother, etc. has a chance to shine just because they got the character, authenticity and transparency to, more or less, win friends and influence people. To seal a deal with a virtual handshake and smiley emoticon.
It is relationship marketing. If a business can grasp this concept, the tools will be of no consequence.
Somewhere along the way, business got more gimmicky than relational. It was the loud, edgy commercial, the slick and cluttered junk mail and people dancing at intersections with your company phone number on a placard.