CreateWOWmarketing travels through rural Iowa asking the simple question, “Is your brand too big to smile?” Finding that small town courtesy and respect seems to reflect in a size of company brand as well, Andrew B. Clark (The Brand Chef) questions why and how your brand could benefit from just a simple smile. 🙂
More Marketing News →The marketing communications business is often misunderstood in terms of value, benefit, and, unfortunately, getting paid. As a creative services firm, prospects often ask communications professionals (us) to do work for free – also known as “speculative creative” or “pitching” in order for the client to determine whether or not they will hire us. It’s the old “try the milk before you buy the cow” scenario and it happens in the marketing communications profession on a daily basis. While some marketing professionals succumb to this dog and pony show in the hopes of getting paid if their results are satisfactory
More Marketing News →People want to do their own marketing, advertising and PR to save money. Unfortunately (or fortunately – however you want to look at it), What they quickly realize is that time IS money and lots of time is going to be spent trying to…
More Marketing News →If you didn’t realize it, AGRICULTURE is big business – not just the growing of plants and livestock production aspects, which luckily has seen an uptick even in the struggling financial economy as of late. We’re talking the business of being involved in the “Ag” world. Agritourism, Ag education, Ag sciences and others have all seen a huge surge of interest and involvement in the past decade. No longer do we drive through the green fields of Iowa, Nebraska and other Midwest states and just see corn, beans, pigs, cows, more corn, more beans, more pigs… well, you get our
More Marketing News →I can’t tell exactly why more local businesses aren’t using Foursquare, but I imagine it has to do with not understanding Foursquares potential. The lack of knowledge with this not too new (debuted in March of 2009) social media tool is still huge. Foursquare has 8 million people using it worldwide and 250,000 merchants taking advantage of the business platform. At the same time LinkedIn has 100 million users and 2 million businesses worldwide that have a company page. Owners need to be aware that they can reward customers for loyalty, for simply visiting their business or attending a special
More Marketing News →Some days I sit back in my chair and wonder, “Why the heck isn’t anyone posting?” It’s not for a lack of information. It’s not for a lack of inspiration. It just falls on that blank page! It’s too intimidating. It’s too… blank; so your mind goes blank. In attempts to alleviate that, I’ve coached my clients to keep a journal, either digitally in EverNote, or the “Old fashioned way” in a notebook, of ideas, snippets, quips or even a doodle that would later inspire a blog post (and I’ve changed “blog post” to “article” for most clients – that’s
More Marketing News →The view on whether social media is a distraction or a necessity during the workday is a polarizing topic. If you are on Julie Morgenstern’s side then one should limit their SM usage to 10 minutes a day, because you have a business to run after all. On the other end of the spectrum you will find Peter Shankman who believes you must always look at potential new clients and what your competition is doing. In some cases social media use may not even be up to you at all, but to your boss or the corporations view point on
More Marketing News →On Wednesday of last week, I gave Mediacom a call on the Social Media Phone. HOW? By doing this, I posted on Twitter: “Hey Mediacom, my web connection is on the fritz, can you guys please give me a call?” Why did I post it to Twitter instead of just picking up my “real” phone? Well, a couple reasons: I HATE being on hold. And anyone that’s EVER called Mediacom knows that’s their favorite game. And I know from past engagements that Mediacom is listening and answers the “Social Media Phone” Is Social Media becoming a new channel for customer
More Marketing News →I had the honor of working with the marketing panel and producing media for Entrefest 2011 last week. We had some spectacular speakers and some break-out sessions on marketing, sales, technology, finances and management for entrepreneurs. But as always, there were some standout sessions. Adam Steen’s (from 25 Connections) session on Networking was one that got a LOT of positive reactions. Below, thanks to Adam and the Entrefest crew, we’ have captured and re-posted the session! (sorry for the typing and my loud laughter… I was right behind the camera and couldn’t resist being involved!)
More Marketing News →Color me inspired. His name is Matt Morgan. Unassuming, but as deep and spiritual as any man I’ve ever met. Matt and I met at the monthly #CIB (Central Iowa Bloggers) event a while back. This is a great event where every first Friday of the month, bloggers, social media newbies and seasoned stud-bolts alike gather in conversation and coffee to share ideas and foster strength in our passion for blogging and social media. It’s a joyful and exciting morning (about 6 hours worth for some) and you’re guaranteed to see a handful of new faces along with the #SMCDSM
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