BrandOne Marketing Services

Social Media is NOT a billboard.

Social media makes for a very poor internet billboard. This article indicates 3 best case scenarios on making it a positive force in your business efforts.

Do It Yourself Design

Admittedly, I’m not big on homemade designs though if you’ve got no budget, it’s helpful to target some kind of standard for your work. Check out John McWade’s work in this useful book.

Remember, design is just another form of storytelling.

Are you a “Linchpin?”

What do you bring to your work? Your heart and mind? Or just your body?

In his new book Linchpin, revolutionary business thinker Seth Godin helps us find the art in our work, regardless of job description. Here’s a 60 second interview about what we can bring to each day of our working lives:

Linchpin Meetup

From Seth: This is first ever unofficial Seth Godin Linchpin worldwide Meetup. It’s a completely non commercial chance to find and connect with other members of Seth’s tribe, an opportuity to talk, challenge, and inspire your fellow travelers.

The first ever Rancho Cucamonga Linchpin meetup will be held on June 14, in the Copies&Ink meeting room. As of this post, we’re up to 7 attendees, but wherever you live, there’s a meetup near you. If you’d like to participate here’s some information.

Taking Advantage of Junkies

Do you, or does someone you know feel more than a twinge after going without internet access too long? Do you count “too long” in terms of just minutes?

If so, you’re not alone, according to this blog post.

For better or worse, for many marketers, this represents and opportunity too good to pass up.

In tandem with this, also for better or worse, Facebook seems intent on sharing an increasing amount of personal information with marketers. Beyond that, the safety and security of personal information faces increasing threats.

You might be surprised to find that Facebook mines data about the websites you visit, who your friends are, and your friends’ behavior online. This information is becoming available though application interfaces that will be available to marketers.

Best Practice Recommendation:
Approaching new clients/customers based on mining data of online activity, without the client’s knowledge is a poor approach. Electronic marketing should be sent only if the customer has expressly indicated an interest in your company and/or its products or services.

Still, demographics, relevancy and targeting are more important than ever. Use organic search, keyword marketing, direct mail and other proven, non invasive channels to reach the marketplace.

Mommy Taught Me How to Sell

Bottom line is I don’t care much about the mega corporations that want to sell me products and services. I really don’t feel like calling one of the two dozen CSRs newly assigned to my account. Their corporate acquisitions don’t impress me, nor does their website.

If I want to place an order, I call Dwayne. He’s more helpful to me than a battery of order takers on the switchboard. He helps me sort through the options, and is always around, long after everyone else goes home. I love it that he drives up in a cool vintage Lincoln, and is a real mensh, not just another sales zombie. It’s impressive that he’s still at it, through thick and thin, and lately very thin.

Corporate sales training always seems to leave out the most important part: being an authentic, kind and thoughtful person. The corporation doesn’t teach people empathy and compassion. Perhaps those qualities don’t fit neatly into the “Mission Statement.”

You’re the human face of your company, be it one employee or a million. And these days humanity goes further than ever, as the economy will crush you if you’re just one more corporate sales clone.