The Blog - Where Business Collides with Human Nature

Executing a Plan With Success (Myth and Reality)

So often “it” is not an “emergency.” A faux emergency is easily created because someone makes a commitment (logical or wishful) that requires everyone to rush and scurry. “We must hit the deadline, whatever it takes!!” becomes a mantra and a pseudo emergency. (A faux emergency?)

Topics: Marketing Plan Emergency Planning Personal Development

10 Overrated Marketing Tactics You Should Avoid Right Now

Experienced marketers know there is a fine line between engaging a customer and annoying them. Even the most seasoned professionals can make mistakes that cost them potential business, however. Here are 10 marketing tactics to steer clear of as you iron out your plans.

Topics: Marketing Ideas Marketing Plan Marketing Trends

Guerrilla Marketing Checklist & PR to Start the Adventure of "Famous"

Here is a potential guerrilla marketing checklist to get you started in the adventure of becoming "famous".  Guerrilla marketing works 100% of the time if executed well.

To that end, if you are starting from scratch and are hoping to become "famous" but low on funds (and in a hurry), this outline might prove helpful.  It is based heavily on guerrilla marketing tactics with an inbound marketing mindset.

Topics: Guerrilla Marketing Ideas Marketing Plan Inbound Marketing

How Can I Get into the New York Times?

It's been about seven years since I sat across the dinner table from Cameron who had the honor of being invited to celebrate Gary Vaynerchuk's 300th video blog for Wine Library TV. After dinner, my new friend says to connect and follow Gary V - so I did.  

No, we are not best friends (though I do have a book Gary V signed saying: "To my new BFF") but he does remain an inspiration and resource. What you may not know is that Gary Vaynerchuk is on HubSpot's advisory board.  As a HubSpot partner and perpetual inbound marketer, I appreciate working with a company with such an advantage.

Gary V. offers advice in his recent video to help you understand how to get in the New York Times, in front of the bigger celebrities or get connected to that BIG audience.

Topics: Guerrilla Marketing Marketing Marketing Plan Inspiration

20 Videos in 20 Days condensed into 20 Minutes - Alex Goldfayn

Waiting 20 days to watch 20 videos is too long to wait. Here you have all 20 wrapped together and watch them in 20 minutes. Marketing tips at their best from Alex Goldfayn.

Topics: Guerrilla Marketing Marketing Plan Training

The ARUBA Marketing™ Checklist aka Getting a Yes

To hear a "yes, I will buy", everything must line up perfectly. To get the yes, here is your ARUBA Marketing™ checklist:

Potential buyers:

  • Are paying Attention
  • Find your message Relevant
  • Understand the message, language, product and service quickly.
  • Believe that it will benefit them
  • Believe enough to take Action - by buying and sharing. (and linking)

In short, the acronym to help you remember is ARUBA, where people not only vacation but also represents when people are most comfortable to move forward.  

Topics: Sales Marketing Plan Marketing Strategy Methodology

Guide to Small Business Marketing Budgets

How much of a small business marketing budget is too much? Too little? Small business owners often are confused about whether their marketing efforts are a money pit or will grow their business. We explore small business marketing budgets, what business owners want, and where they're going.

Topics: Marketing Statistics Marketing Budget Marketing Plan

How to Make a Pitch Presentation for a Get-Rich-Quick Program

When considering which method you use to make an impression on potential customers, you will remember that the basic psychology of humans has not changed.  What will astound or impress the average person is bigger and brighter and the bar is raised every year.  After watching the Mars landing live via the Internet, it is more difficult to impress. 

Making a sales presentation or pitch that will pursuade someone to buy is a simple formula and you have heard it so often, you may have it memorized.

It might go somthing like this:

Topics: Sales Marketing Plan Communication

Outbound Lead Development - Old School or New School

I’m from the old school, the place where you sent a letter of introduction, made a follow-up phone call, scheduled a meeting, and made a sales presentation that hopefully enabled you to close a sale. The new school doesn’t work that way. The new school is about social media, the use of technology, and in-the-know buyers. 

Topics: Sales Marketing Plan Selling Outbound Marketing

What is a Marketing Strategy?

A Marketing strategy is a process that can allow an organization to concentrate its limited resources on the greatest opportunities to increase sales and achieve a sustainable competitive advantage.  - Wikipedia

A Marketing Strategy is a strategy that integrates an organization's marketing goals into a cohesive whole. Ideally drawn from market research, it focuses on the ideal product mix to achieve maximum profit potential. The marketing strategy is set out in a marketing plan. - BusinessDictionary.com

A Marketing Strategy is the result of decisions being made about how a particular product or service will be promoted to its target customers. Marketing strategies are used to increase sales, launch new products and generally provide profit for a company. Strategies involve the construction and implementation of the marketing mix. The marketing mix, which is also known as the five Ps, refers to the product, price, packaging, promotion and place or distribution. - WiseGeek

Topics: Marketing Plan Definition Marketing Strategy

7 Steps to Determine Your USP - Unique Selling Proposition

Here are seven steps to determine your USP - Unique Selling Proposition.

Before jumping into the steps, "What is a USP - unique selling proposition?"

A USP is one of the fundamental pieces of any solid marketing campaign. It’s a summary of what makes your business unique and valuable to your target market. It answers the question:  How do your business services benefit your clients better than anyone else can?

Topics: Marketing Plan Business Planning