|
Controlling your message? |
|
Bits of a Marketer's mind
|
By Brandon on |
|
|
|
|
I was reading an article on CNN today about political candidates losing control of their campaigns to YouTube. It must really burn for old school politicians who are used to talking openly when the cameras weren’t rolling. I can hear the voices in their heads now – ‘You mean I have to actually mean what I say all the time, and not just during an interview?’ Yep – that’s what it means. It’s 2007, and the cameras are ALWAYS rolling! There’s always someone with a camera phone or digital video camera just waiting to catch the right moment on video or in a photo.
So it is with brands also. Many marketers think that they can ‘control the message’ by doing their own ‘viral campaigns’ on YouTube.
|
 |
|
More...
|
|
|
Is Your Best Salesperson the Janitor? |
|
Hallman's Skull Sessions
|
By hhallman on |
|
|
|
|
Here’s an outrageous idea: Promote your janitor to sales executive. While you’re at it, get your cooks, kitchen staff, clerks, stock people, busboys and administrative people to start making cold sales calls. Hell, make everyone a salesperson, even the marketing staff.
|
|
|
|
More...
|
|
|
Create your own community! |
|
Bits of a Marketer's mind
|
By Brandon on |
|
|
|
|
I have read article after article on niche social networks and the fact that they are the future on the web, etc. The mega-networks like MySpace and Facebook are so entrenched with consumers that I don’t see anyone coming along and replacing them anytime soon. That’s not to say it’s impossible, but I find it highly unlikely. On the other hand, the real opportunity for growth is in smaller, targeted (and even sponsored) communities based on shared interests.
|
|
|
|
More...
|
|
|
Is Anybody Out There Listening? |
|
Hallman's Skull Sessions
|
By hhallman on |
|
|
|
|
The Internet is akin to the universe. We know that it is big, but we can not really fathom how big. For the most part, except for our own little sphere of influence, the universe is a mysterious place. So it is with the Internet. As with the universe, we have figured out how it was created, but we really don’t know how it all works.
|
|
|
|
More...
|
|
|
SO WHAT? |
|
Hallman's Skull Sessions
|
By hhallman on |
|
|
|
|
There was a great question on Marketingprofs.com today. A marketer was stuck trying to build a positioning statement. She wanted some help in getting her brain moving and did not want the typical statement saying they were the biggest, the best, the most experienced. I agreed and here is my answer to her:
|
|
|
|
More...
|
|
|
Target? Are you sure? |
|
Bits of a Marketer's mind
|
By Brandon on |
|
|
|
How many Marketers out there do you think really understand the power of truly targeted messaging in their Marketing Communications? We’ve heard it all before – ‘I understand my target – Gen X (or whatever broad segment it might be). I’m running ads on _______ (you fill in the blank).’ Yeah, they really have it down – just spend, spend, spend – spend on ads on all the popular TV shows or websites. But running 'targeted' ads on the latest TV show, magazine, web portal, etc. is only the beginning. How many Marketers have an active dialogue with their customers and actually know what they are passionate about and furthermore communicate that understanding in their messaging?
I think there is a more effective way of targeting that gets more results in the long run. Consider this idea – once you understand the segment that you are wanting to speak to, find ways to align your brand naturally into the lifestyle of that segment. ...
|
|
|
|
More...
|
|
|
|
Missing the MySpace boat? |
|
Bits of a Marketer's mind
|
By Brandon on |
|
|
|
|
If MySpace was a boat, it would probably be one of the Carnival cruise ships, or maybe even a Disney cruise ship. Let's face it, everyone is having the time of their lives on the ship, but some people never treat themselves to the experience. For a moment, let's ask how many brands, organizations, etc. are missing the boat on MySpace.
|
|
|
|
More...
|
|