Another GREAT Idea from Seth Godin ....
If you are currently in the job market, in any way, shape or form, you owe it to yourself to check out Seth's comments (in 3 parts, links below).
http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2005/02/are_you_looking.html
http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2005/02/great_job_part_.html
http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2005/02/great_job_last_.html
Now that Seth has thrown down the challenge for you .... how are you going to make yourself "Purple" (as in "Purple Cow", the title of Seth's book, which I assume you have read). He has some hints (in a general business sense) in his followup book, "Free Prize Inside" which I also highly recommend!
Happy Groundhog Day ! ! ! !
Wednesday, February 02, 2005
Friday, January 28, 2005
The Simple Answer is the Right Answer !
From Hugh's blog entry today at gapingvoid.com ...
http://www.gapingvoid.com/Moveable_Type/archives/001338.html
"I want to know 2 things from you: Who's using my product, and what they're saying about it.
If we don't like either answer, then we got to figure out what we're going to do to fix it.
Don't talk to me about changing the customer's behavior. Talk to me about ways to change our behavior."
Hugh Macleod hits the nail on the head with this one !
Concise and to the point.
He has hit on a key point that many companies that are trying to understand "buzz" or "viral marketing" or "word of mouth marketing" need to learn!
Step 1 - Start by listening to what customers are saying.
Step 2 - React to what they are saying by making corrections in your product and services.
Step 3 - Repeat step 1 until you have enough money to retire or you die. (If you do it right and have FUN, the latter is the appropriate "deadline".)
As Hugh said, complication is muddled thought and hopefully 3 steps is not too many for people to understand. Simple WORKS!
From Hugh's blog entry today at gapingvoid.com ...
http://www.gapingvoid.com/Moveable_Type/archives/001338.html
"I want to know 2 things from you: Who's using my product, and what they're saying about it.
If we don't like either answer, then we got to figure out what we're going to do to fix it.
Don't talk to me about changing the customer's behavior. Talk to me about ways to change our behavior."
Hugh Macleod hits the nail on the head with this one !
Concise and to the point.
He has hit on a key point that many companies that are trying to understand "buzz" or "viral marketing" or "word of mouth marketing" need to learn!
Step 1 - Start by listening to what customers are saying.
Step 2 - React to what they are saying by making corrections in your product and services.
Step 3 - Repeat step 1 until you have enough money to retire or you die. (If you do it right and have FUN, the latter is the appropriate "deadline".)
As Hugh said, complication is muddled thought and hopefully 3 steps is not too many for people to understand. Simple WORKS!
Wednesday, January 12, 2005
A Card that has real business impact !
I found out about Aaron's "card" from Seth Godin's blog
(see http://www.typepad.com/t/trackback/1658834)
You can read the whole story as originally posted at http://www.helloworldblog.com/2005/01/how_to_guarante.html
I highly recommend checking it out. It shows what impact can be achieved based a bit of simple consideration and creative thought. Finding out what your customer likes PERSONALLY makes all the difference! Even though the gifts may appear to have been expensive, the value of creating a loyal customer greatly exceeds the costs.
I am a strong proponent of "the Rifle approach" to business. The Rifle approach is:
1) Find your target. Not just a face-less demographic, but an actual name. A real person with likes and dislikes. With prejudices and preconceptions. With similarities and quirky uniqueness.
2) Use as much "ammunition" as it takes to make this customer part of your family.
This is in contrast to the "carpet bombing or machine gun" approach which is standardly practiced by people in traditional, big-time advertising. They try to hit a theoretical target based on averages, demographics and such. Their success rates are usually in the single digit percentages.
What do you think is the success rate for the Rifle approach? Ask Aaron and his customers!
I found out about Aaron's "card" from Seth Godin's blog
(see http://www.typepad.com/t/trackback/1658834)
You can read the whole story as originally posted at http://www.helloworldblog.com/2005/01/how_to_guarante.html
I highly recommend checking it out. It shows what impact can be achieved based a bit of simple consideration and creative thought. Finding out what your customer likes PERSONALLY makes all the difference! Even though the gifts may appear to have been expensive, the value of creating a loyal customer greatly exceeds the costs.
I am a strong proponent of "the Rifle approach" to business. The Rifle approach is:
1) Find your target. Not just a face-less demographic, but an actual name. A real person with likes and dislikes. With prejudices and preconceptions. With similarities and quirky uniqueness.
2) Use as much "ammunition" as it takes to make this customer part of your family.
This is in contrast to the "carpet bombing or machine gun" approach which is standardly practiced by people in traditional, big-time advertising. They try to hit a theoretical target based on averages, demographics and such. Their success rates are usually in the single digit percentages.
What do you think is the success rate for the Rifle approach? Ask Aaron and his customers!
Wednesday, December 29, 2004
What makes a good blog?
My definition of "good" is interesting, up-to-date and interactive.
My interests include marketing (my current profession), creativity (my calling) and personal development. Within these large topics I'm currently exploring Word-of-Mouth marketing, some of the ideas on creativity offered by Hugh Macleod (see Hughtrain and How to Be Creative) and "The Power of Full Engagement" (see web site for free assessment).
If you find these things interesting, hopefully you will find this blog interesting. And if not, well, at least I will find it interesting and by writing it down here I can develop it into speeches or consulting work!
Happy New Year !
Dave Wheeler
My definition of "good" is interesting, up-to-date and interactive.
My interests include marketing (my current profession), creativity (my calling) and personal development. Within these large topics I'm currently exploring Word-of-Mouth marketing, some of the ideas on creativity offered by Hugh Macleod (see Hughtrain and How to Be Creative) and "The Power of Full Engagement" (see web site for free assessment).
If you find these things interesting, hopefully you will find this blog interesting. And if not, well, at least I will find it interesting and by writing it down here I can develop it into speeches or consulting work!
Happy New Year !
Dave Wheeler
