This month’s Word Carnival topic is Price vs Value and my post comes in two parts. First: the marketing 101 bit about how you figure out your value. Second: the “everybody talks about price vs value the same way, so let’s turn it on its head” discussion (where you, the smartest kid in class, and your […]
Words are Everything
I was in one of those conversations the other day. You know, the kind where you drift off into your own version of 127 Hours and have total clarity about what you’d do? (As in: you’d rather cut off your own arm to escape this than stay around for one moment longer). Taking the masochist […]
That Time I Got My Ass Kicked By A-Train Marketing
I’m a strong believer in coopitition. What’s coopitition? One of my favorite mentors – a counselor – Fred Fuller (who is turning 69 this year, Happy Birthday Fred!) told me that he often helped out his “competitors” (a word he says with actual air quotes) by teaching them his sales techniques and sending them customers he […]
Just Because You’ve Got Yourself An Expert…
Everybody likes validation from Experts from time to time, even me. Here’s a little secret, though: true capital-E Experts are really good at making it up as they go along. The bad news for us is there are also frauds – “experts” – who will take you for a ride. Here’s how to tell the difference. Exhibit #1: Captain […]
Marketing @Microsoft, Kimye, and Shark Tank: Context and Consistency
Context and consistency shape our perceptions, make or break markets, and subsequently shape our purchasing decisions. Don’t believe me? Follow me down this rabbit hole, if you would: Seemingly random idea #1: Microsoft’s marketing is drunk at the wheel Did no one vet Microsoft’s newest marketing campaign? No viewer testing, first? Sara Bareilles’ “Brave” happily […]
What Good Is A Marketing Company?
Seriously, what good is a marketing company – or any business for that matter – if it doesn’t support its community? After my last two textbookian blogs, I decided this week it’s better to show than to tell. In that light, I have a story to tell you – and a favor to ask. Meet Mike Conley: Mike’s […]
Nobody knows what the hell marketing really is… (part 2)
Looking for the first part of this series? Click here. Let’s recap the problem: nobody knows what the hell marketing is, which causes no end of confusion for small business owners who are just trying to land their next customer to pay bills and keep the lights on. I issued a scathing indictment of the […]
Nobody knows what the hell marketing really is… (part 1)
I’d like to talk about something that has always bothered me: that nobody knows what the hell marketing really is. Now, I’ll warn you right now that this post is a little… theory heavy. But stick with me – you’re gonna learn something in two blog posts that cost me $70,000 and 9 years. To do […]