Archive for October, 2006

Bare Naked Marketing

October 25th, 2006 by Chief Nut

Free goodies including; computer wallpaper, buddy icons, poster art and e-cards. Free product downloads (bucking a generations long industry tradition). Online product sales. Organizing a cruise to meet the “team”. Blogging. Newsfeeds. Forum. HOT site design.

Who am I talking about? A computer giant? A techie software developer? A Manhattan marketing firm? NOPE! It’s the “Bare Naked Ladies“! Wake up RIAA … it’s GAME ON! As a consumer, I’m not going to connect with Universal or Sony/BMG or EMI or Warner. I WILL, however, connect with “the band”.

We’ve Got Themes. HOT DOG!

October 25th, 2006 by Chief Nut

Described as a “Coding Horror“, I’d have to agree that the old Windows “Hot Dog” theme was obnoxious, loud and in your face. What it had going for it, however, was it was different, fun, playful, fresh (for its time) and … oh yeah, DIFFERENT! Parked in front of a Mac AND a PC every day for almost 15 years gives one perspective. I change the screen savers and wallpaper on the Mac every couple of weeks. I don’t even bother on the PC because it’s that much more difficult and the selections are …. um …. errrr …. let’s just say that there’s a reason why it’s called Windoze.

THAT’S (sexy) A (sensual) GREAT (alluring) MESSAGE!

October 24th, 2006 by Chief Nut

How our brains pick up powerful imagery on a subconcious level can be really amazing…. This article from HealthSciTech reviews results from a study analyzing the effects of subliminal erotic imagery on the subjects focus…. Amazing insight.

‘Nofollow’ Me To The ‘Google Dance’

October 22nd, 2006 by Chief Nut

If you’re an SEO guru or if you’re just contemplating a dive into the world of Search Engine Marketing, this fab resource will get you up on the lingo. Check out the SEOBook Glossary of Search Engine Marketing.

It’s All In The Details

October 22nd, 2006 by Chief Nut

When I first tell a client that everything in their business needs to reflect their brand, I usually get a nonplussed reaction. I then tell them again, “really, I mean everything”. This sinks in and the reaction is one of skepticism. What about intangibles like how you answer the phone or how your delivery people drive the car. Or obscure questions like “what color do we paint the conference room?” Or “do we have a uniform signature line for our email messages?” Yes, yes, yes and yes. These all impact the effectiveness of your brand!

Imagine an awkward kid in the nineteen forties who can’t get a date. Create the idea of a world where he’s surrounded by beautiful women, throws lavish parties (as part of his business) and is the envy of every single man on the planet. When Hugh Heffner did this in the 50’s, he didn’t just envision the layout of his magazine and how he would create distribution channels. He didn’t just formulate a sales & marketing strategy or conceptualize the kind of content he would publish. He created an entirely new empire based on, what he perceived to be, an ideal world. EVERYTHING was created first in his mind … down to the last detail.

Understanding your own brand is step one. Step two is permeating it into every nook and cranny of your business.

It’s All In The Ti…..Ming

October 21st, 2006 by Chief Nut

Is it possible for the success of a television commerical to be impacted by the content of the program in which it’s placed? I suppose so …

Geek Marketing 103

October 20th, 2006 by Chief Nut

An article called “Geek Marketing 101” by John Dodds is referred to by Guy Kawasaki with a post of the same name. In the past year a major challenge for Acorn Creative has been to break into the Digital Communication / VOIP industry. These folks are, as they say here in NH, WICKED smaht. And they all seem to have a potentially fatal, but all too common, flaw. They want to market themselves with all the lingo, tecno-speak and acronyms that they can possibly pack into a 50 slide powerpoint presentation. I’m hoping the wisdom imparted on us all by John and Guy will shed light on a better path.

HOWEVER, this avoidance of techno-speak isn’t just for the megageeks of the world! Just about every industry has its own quirky language. When marketing your business, don’t fall into the trap of using jargon if you think that by doing so it somehow makes you seem more “in the know”. It doesn’t. What it does do is puts off people who might otherwise want to be invited into your world … without being demeaned or made to feel ignorant.

Clear communication without pretense is the way to win hearts and minds. Hype, jargon and spin should be left at the door.

All Your Grey Hair Are Belong To Us

October 20th, 2006 by Chief Nut

Continuing from my post of two days ago …  would you like another demographic to consider?  Instead of controlling over 150 Billion dollars in annual spending by teens, this group controls Trillions upon Trillions (yes, that’s a “T”).  You guessed it …€” it’s the over 50 crowd who, I’m happy to report (according to Tom Peters), have more than half their lives ahead of them!

Is it in YOUR bio?

October 19th, 2006 by Chief Nut

Does your bio include the title “Author”? Mine doesn’t …. yet.
Some food for thought.

All Your Base Are Belong To Us

October 18th, 2006 by Chief Nut

I have a new market demographic for you to consider.  It’s over 32 million people controlling over 150 Billion dollars in annual spending.  They’re diverse, tech savvy, wired and definitely ready to spend.  Need a hint? 

If you don’t know what the title to this article means, you’re not in the group.

Give up?  … It’s teens.  Also called the Echo Boomers, Nexters or Generation Text, they like to call themselves the Millenials.  It would be too easy to discount this group as “that’s not our market”.  Maybe so … but, before you do that, read this excellent article by FoodProcessing.net, called “RU communic8N W Teens“.  It may enlighten you.