marketing

There’s an old adage: It’s not what you know—it’s who you know. But when we are starting out in business, our networks are often limited, consisting of former colleagues, friends and family. And while these people will help get you on your way, very few of us can rely entirely on them for business success. That’s where networking comes in. Read more

Are you a new citizen of the Twitterverse or struggling to get started?  There are a few governing ordinances that you need to have in place to truly become native. Twitter is not the new kid on the block, but it is a vital part of the social marketing mix.

Be a Real Person

The ideal Twitter profile is extremely personable. Just like in the real world, people like talking to people. The follower counts and improved click-through rates tell us so. This also means having your profile as a picture, rather than your business logo.  Unless you are already very well known, it is a hard slog to get traction on Twitter while being an ‘anonymous’ brand profile. Read more

A novel way to target clients.*

You may think it odd to discuss an online tank game in a business blog.

Yet this product holds the Guinness World Record for player (read ‘customer’) engagement.

A feat achieved in its first year.

If we captured clients like this crew, we’d be sunning ourselves in the Bahamas right now.

Plus, it’s Russian!

So let’s take a look … Read more

Ever been down for the count?

Something happened last week that resonated on so many levels, I thought it ideal for this forum.

It concerns my bookkeeper – a service provider I imagine many of our readers use.

Your view on the matter could change a life.

Slug fest

As you may know, I’d rather collect slugs in the rain than do my books.

I hate bookkeeping so much, I outsource all but tiniest transactions.

I don’t even want a bookkeeper at Empire House. The mere act of doing my books unsettles me for hours before and after each visit.

So imagine my joy when my current bookkeeper, Sally, suggested I mail my papers to her for remote processing. Read more

No hawkers?

You may have experienced the pay TV onslaught.

And before that, the home insulation scam.

Now electricity companies are pounding our pavements.

And man, they’re really going for it.

So, does door-knocking prospects make things better or worse for you, me, them and our respective sectors?

Door stop

According to the papers, some power firms (or their flunkeys) are: Read more

Right on, or write off?

Some blog post ideas literally come in the mail.

Like this from a promotional pen company.

Here are the highlights of their exhilarating letter:

‘This is no ordinary writing instrument.
It’s a pen customers and prospects will treasure and use every day.
Not only will they remember your thoughtfulness and generosity, they’ll be reminded of your company day after day and will share their sentiments with all their friends who notice and admire this truly exceptional executive gift!’

Not bad for $1.15 a pop.

Analysis

I must admit, this pen beats the plastic crap in most ‘goodie’ bags. Read more

To change your life, change just one thing.

Why do some businesses prosper while others perish?

They have a point of difference.

It doesn’t have to be big to be brilliant (small ones often work best).

It just has to be …

Different.

Here are two examples.

Banana benders

I can think of few things more generic than a banana. Read more

How low can you go?

Just as there are few ponds in Moonee Ponds, there are few goodies in goody bags today.

Gloomy pundits, frugal accountants, jaded marketers and fearful business folk have made modern ‘freebies’ a sorry lot.

But even the darkest cloud has a silver lining.

Paper tiger

A while ago, my secretary wife attended a swish industry do.

She came home with a very nice looking goody bag.

Flushed with bubbles, she sat and pawed for the treasures within. Read more

How do you come up with something new to write about frequently enough to build a successful blog? As blogs become more common, so too does the problem of blogger’s block: that awkward moment when you feel as though you’ve run out of things to say.

Coming up with enough material to write a weekly post is a big challenge for many people – so unless you have a background or passion for writing, be careful about the frequency you commit to. Read more

Everything you need, plus much much MORE!

Either there’s a plot, or I’m losing it.

I feel increasingly pressured to consume more than I want or need.

Could you please check the facts to see if I’m dreaming?

Tissue of lies

Something odd has happened to tissue boxes.

Instead of one tissue coming out when I pull, I get two or even three. Read more