"MARKETING LAB"

How to send complaints virally to the company offended you ?

2009-07-08T13:31:00.000-07:00

A cool musician Dave Carooll got in a nasty communication matter with United Airlines company when his 3500 USD guitar was damaged by airport handlers. Complete indifference of customer service people inspired him to take an original step to deliver all angry feeling in his soul to the company by.....writting a song : link here.

FREE 12 weeks internet-marketing course from ShoeMoney

2009-07-04T12:45:00.000-07:00

Jeremey Shoemaker known better as ShoeMoney has launched recently 12 weeks internet marketing course that will be useful both for beginning and experienced internet-marketers absolutely for FREE.

Program of the course is below:

Week 1 - The Beginner's Guide To Internet Marketing
Week 2 - Affiliate Marketing 101: Everything You Need To Know To Start Promoting Products
Week 3 - Market Research: How To Crush Your Competitors And Discover Hot Niches
Week 4 - Introduction to Pay Per Click
Week 5 - Advanced Pay Per Click
Week 6 - SEO Tips, Tricks, and Tactics
Week 7 - Content Creation: How To Create Articles That Attract Users And Increase Sales
Week 8 - Marketing: How To Use Social Media To Spread Your Brand
Week 9 - Make That Cash: 10 Ways To Monetize Your Site And Increase Profitability
Week 10 - Testing & Tracking: How To Optimize Your Site & Make Sense Of The Figures
Week 11 - Building Your Team: How To Network With Others And Find Long Term Partners
Week 12 - Launch Day: How To Kick Start Your Business And Manage Your Projects

Do not miss this opportunity and join ASAP here.

What is marketing 2.1 ?

2009-04-19T12:02:00.000-07:00

Marketing is an activity to make profits by communicating with the markets.

Old anecdote on marketing

2009-04-19T11:44:00.000-07:00

Why did the marketer fall from the palm-tree?
(He died)
Why did the second marketer fall from the palm-tree ?
(He saw the unique opportunity to die and died)
Why did the third marketer fall from the palm-tree?
(He considered this is a new market trend and died)
Why did the fourth marketer fall from the palm-tree ?
(He was sure that previous 3 marketers knew what to do and died)
Why did the fifth marketer fall from the palm-tree?
(Because fourth marketer decided to share risk with him and grab him by the hand)
Why did the sixth marketer fall from the palm-tree?
(To write a book how to fall effectively from the palm-tree)
Why d0 all other marketers fall from the palm-tree?
(They study marketing by book of the sixth marketer)

The one tip for the SEO

2009-04-02T04:55:00.000-07:00

There are huge number of SEO wesites, articles, people right away who are sharing ideas, views and opinions on how to top your website. They are giving 10, 20, 30 tips how to be at least top 3 in the list.

Actually there is only ONE tip that will always work for your website. Create and fill it with useful, practical, interesting and inspiring content. Content is a thing that make people lean or unlean from your website. It will bring links, people, customers and money.

As always, Content is a King !

The issue with your main business card

2009-04-02T04:14:00.000-07:00

The website is your main business card (always was actually). It is the face of your buisness.

What faces do you like most of all ? Clean, white, beautiful, smily and positive ? Nice and easy to communicate with ?

What about the face of your business ? The firts issue - start with caring about it.

It will make people trust you. And may be make a deal with you.

Speak to people in their "world view"

2009-03-31T02:13:00.000-07:00

Sometimes broshures, messaging by words or warnings are not the proper way to deliver your idea.

In Cambodia people get infected with germs contained in the water they drink. Word warning and explanations that it is dangerous turned to be not effective.

But people like karaoke singing there. So...Think out of the box.

The video and words of some songs were changed as to world view of those people so they get it quick and right. For example, "you are loving me, I am loving you - so let`s take care of each other and drink healthy filtered water". That worked. Really.

How are you delivering message to your audience ?

An excuse

2009-03-30T09:02:00.000-07:00

Finding and expressing excuse is the simplest and easiest way to do. And loosing one.

To create and build really good marketing remarkable campaign, company, product or service needs more time, mental work and focus on the purpose.

Most of the marketers do not want to that and spend more time on that. Because they have a plan to boost sales anyhow they can, because boss wants more revenue. They make a lot of noise around using all marketing techniques and as a result they irritate customers who run away from buzz and noise. Speed is not the winning strategy.

They are narrow-minded pro and see only numerical expression of the result - money, profit etc. And use mediocre tactics to achieve.

They do not want to extract time from regular hours because and speeded by corporate policy and rules.

Treating differently

2009-03-26T06:44:00.000-07:00

Today`s marketing is a show.

It is about treating differently - people and your customers.

And what you do for them.

Naming your company

2009-03-24T11:05:00.000-07:00

I feel very optimistic about importance and high priority attention in naming company, business, products. If you really cares about your business - you consider it as your child. Will you name your child with a better name ? The child will leave with it all life, would you like to give your product or business a better name also to live longer ?

There are number of principles to take into consideration when looking for name:

It should be easy to remember
It’s easy to spell and requires no explanation
It describes your business category
It describes your benefit
It describes your difference

Additionally:

It has to be one or two syllables long - no more
Begin with letters early in the alphabet.
Each syllable starts with a strong consonant (B, C, D, G, K, P, Q, T)
Avoid names starting with X and Z.
A great name has the potential to turn into a verb.
It’s fun to say (”…that just rolls off the tongue”)

Sounding different + spelling different + embodying logic = a memorable name )

Your target audience

2009-03-20T05:29:00.000-07:00

Your target audience is a group of people who are ready and will

spread the information of your products and services around. To other people.

These are the most valuable people for the growth of your business.

And you should take care of them first.

The essence of marketing

2009-03-18T07:30:00.000-07:00

One of the purpose of marketing in your organasation MUST be building relationships with stakeholders, those are relationships, must bring revenue.

The front line MARKETING

2009-03-13T05:08:00.000-07:00

What makes people think good about your company and what not ?

As for me, the way person replies on the other end of the phone, or how you are emailed back. I do not mean only corporate politeness, standart speech scripts and smiliness, but a feeling and readiness that someone from the company can devote a part of her time to answer your questions. And acts like this.

Two examples: I called one company regarding the position they posted on the jobsite. I was frustrated with the answer that they do not disclose any info on the position via phone. I still do not get a point. Another example (in second company) made me happy - the HR lady spent around 15 mins talking to me. I got a long-lasting impression. Why not spend "n" mins and spread that all candidates are welcomed and respected ?

I am sure it is better to leave an impression than frustration. It is DNA of Marketing in your organasation. Inspire staff with the importance of it.

Teach the frontline people be the marketers !

What is marketing 2.0 ?

2009-02-01T04:55:00.000-08:00

Marketing is...

developing business,

increasing profits

and increasing the value of the company.

Leadership as a marketing strategy

2009-01-21T03:46:00.000-08:00

Nowadays, Leadership is the best marketing strategy:

Leadership is :

Action and Initiative
Choice
Responsibility
Strong goal-orientation
Lead by example
Showing up on time first
Educating and developing people around

Marketing from Dalai Lama

2009-01-21T03:24:00.000-08:00

1. Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
2. When you lose, don’t lose the lesson.
3. Follow the three R’s: Respect for self, Respect for others and Responsibility for all your actions.
4. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.
5. Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.
6. Don’t let a little dispute injure a great relationship.
7. When you realize you’ve made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
8. Spend some time alone every day.
9. Open your arms to change, but don’t let go of your values.
10. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
11. Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you’ll be able to enjoy it a second time.
12. A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.
13. In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. Don’t bring up the past.
14. Share your knowledge. It is a way to achieve immortality.
15. Be gentle with the earth.
16. Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before.
17. Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.
18. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.
19. Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon.

What makes marketing a success in your company ?

2009-01-20T09:28:00.000-08:00

communications (verbal or non verbal, website, chat, face-to-face)
eliminating annoying and interrupting of your customers withouth reason and permission
pricing - pricing should not be boring
knowing your customers
ability to make advertising that sells your products
better products - creat product that people love, better products are not made based on research, but on ideas that pop-up in your head because you want to amaze your customers and make their life better.

Successful marketing must bring profits to your company.

If it does - you are a good and smart marketer.

Communicating with your customers online

2009-01-20T08:41:00.000-08:00

Customers online are real customers. They are real people.

If you send a nasty email, there’s a real human (customer) being on the other end who gets it.
If you spam someone, you’re really only making yourself look bad.
If you write IN ALL CAPITAL LETTERS it sounds like shouting.
If you want something to happen your way, try asking instead of demanding.
If you give, you’ll probably wind up getting, too.
If you collaborate, say thanks. Say thanks out loud to your customers.
If you’re independent, say no thanks.
If you like your customers, tell them.
If you don’t or don`t feel like, walk away from the computer.
If you’re giving feedback, lead with just one good thing.
If you’re getting feedback, realize that the person must care a lot to have sent it.
If you goof, apologize.
If you apologize, mean it.
If you smile, mean that too.
If you don’t like something, don’t do it.
If you do like something, spread it.

Remember: remarkable relationships start with remarkable communications.

Doing search on the web

2009-01-20T08:27:00.000-08:00

When you are doing search on the web, you get matches on your keywords. You do not get the meaning. When you type in search – Kamasutra – you get the links to list of resources with the mentioned word. Actually you meant how this art of love can diversify and brighten your personal life with someone. You mean – I am looking for something new or advise or what should I pay attention to that will make feel myself happy. Did search engine get my point?

When you are searching for the video (ex. on YouTube), you are not looking for the video but for the words around it. You find the video with the keywords that satellite it. Someone can upload video on the media site with singer A, but it may be just a flashy slide show with the name of singer typed in without even picture of this singer on it. Oops!

When you market and make a message or promise to your audience, did you get their point first ?

Giving a good treat

2009-01-03T07:08:00.000-08:00

I read an article – a case narrated in it made me feel happy for guy who experienced it, make me feel proud of the folks who work in Starbucks:

One guy (on the way home) was late to buy a coffee for take-out. The cashier told they were closed already and cash register was off. She could not run transaction and accept money.That was a formal rule. She went beyond the formality.

She took the glass and filled it with coffee.

Here it is (You should not pay) Enjoy your coffee. And come again.

Thanks!

Put your customers before your products. Let customers live in a story which will be kept in memories & spread around !

“I will meet you at Starbucks”

2009-01-03T04:49:00.000-08:00

Marketing definition in (New Era):

MARKETING is an ART of telling a story (true story) to consumers who lets them to persuade themselves to buy a product of your company.

(!) Story that consumers want to hear

(!) Remarkable story – worth talking about - be purple cow

(!) Story that spreads by word of mouth

by Seth Godin

Searching for the marketer

2008-12-24T00:05:00.000-08:00

Most of the companies set the following abilities of the marketer they are looking for:

Education in marketing is a plus/ (or MBA is a must)
At least (n) years professional experience in marketing
Good analytical abilities, being a fast decision-maker
Ability to work under pressure/stress
Proficiency in MS OFFICE, Photoshop etc.

As for me I would like to emphasize on the following features that suites marketing position better:

Creative approach to marketing activities (creative must be rational and must sell)
Marketing thinking and marketing imagination
Presence of intuition is good plus
Working as customer service/care representative/manager is a plus
Sales experience is an advantage
Ad/marketing projects successful fulfilment is welcomed

What are you looking for when looking for the marketer?

Elements of Marketing

2008-12-19T01:25:00.000-08:00

Every marketer is aware of 4Ps, 5Ps and other alike stuff.

New point of view I found on the blog of Seth Godin in his article.

He stresses 5 elements of marketing nowadays:

#1 DATA: is being received basing on observations on customers behaviour/actions, that is all about info that will convert it into monetary component. The marketer should understand the “what point” of DATA and “less why point”.

#2 STORIES: every person, every job, every organisation, every service has his/her/its marketing. Stories define everything you do and say. The product has a myth, the service has a legend.

#3 PRODUCTS: it is not about average products for average people. Push your product to be a story, to live the story, to create the myth about it. The story spreads the info about your product.

#4 INTERACATIONS: wide range those – from the way you email, tone of your speech on the phone, the way you ad or billboard, spam people, keeping promises given to people

#5 CONNECTIONS: connections between the company and customers, between customers, creating teams/tribes of people

Now you can have a look at the marketing world through the prism of 5 elements, the point is to balance them all.

What is marketing 1.1 ?

2008-12-11T06:38:00.000-08:00

As to Wikipedia, "marketing is a social and managerial function associated with the process of researching, developing, promoting, selling, and distributing a product or service."

Oxford dictionary defines it as "an activity or process involving research, promotion, sales, and distribution of a product or service."

My university marketing textbook describes it as "the process of developing, promoting, and distributing products in order to satisfy customers' needs and wants."Marketing involves a lot more than just advertisements and press releases.

It involves creating an entire brand with your product and deciding how: the customer will view it, how they will interact with it pre-purchase, how much they will pay, where and how they will get it, and what they will think about it.

"Marketing" is in the DNA of your product or service, and not something you add to the mix when it comes to making sales.

Marketing education vs. Marketing thinking

2008-12-01T22:17:00.000-08:00

The marketing - always did, does and will play a significant role in organizational success. It is a common knowledge for everyone who markets successfully and profitably.

There are academic institutions where people are “taught to be marketers”. On the outcome we have folks with marketing diploma in hands and knowing staff like that: Boston`s five competitive forces, BCG matrix, Acceptance Curve, ASSPAT, CRA, SAM, IPMAP, TOMI, QP, BRQ, ACCA, DAGMAR, DIBABA, IIRM etc.

There is marketing thinking.

That is thinking from customer/client standpoint taking into account behaviour, intentions, and thoughts of customers. Sometimes graduates can not acquire it with diploma. Because only practice can give it to a marketer.

So the question is:

Are all people with diploma marketers with marketing way of thinking?

What is really a MARKETING 1.0 ?

2008-11-26T00:39:00.000-08:00

“MARKETING (offline or online) is a TALENT of organisations to create products and services with the prior aim to SATISFY their customers (needs, wants, dreams, desires etc.) and with second aim to SELL and PROFIT from it”.

·Satisfy – give the customers more than they expect (products, care, relationships) and arise them with revolutionary products

·Sell and Profit – organizations need money for currents expenses, further development(s) and satisfaction

To build MARKETING that creates satisfaction + high monetized value – is hard nut to crack for most of organizations.

Many organizations are deeply sure they are gurus at that. Not so many.

What is understanding of MARKETING in your organization?