The Five Elements of Fame
Experts on marketing effectiveness determined that Fame is the most important element for producing extraordinary ROI.
The Biggest Risk of Bonding Campaigns
Normally, when a business falls short, customers are merely disappointed or frustrated. Not so with relational customers and businesses to which they’ve bonded.
6 Degrees of Benjamin Franklin
Doing business with — making yourself vulnerable to — a complete stranger feels bad. Nobody wants to put themselves in that situation.
Top Gun & The Tale of 2 Super Bowl Ads
While Tony Scott's Top Gun was the highest-grossing film of the year, his 1985 Super Bowl spot is regarded as Apple's worst ad ever.
Do Your Ads Obey the Law?
The first law of advertising is quite simple: Thou Shalt Not Be Boring! And there are really only two ways to avoid breaking that law.
The Grass Is Always Greener on the Side That’s Fertilized…
Of course, you can’t fertilize weeds and get lush, green grass. In advertising terms, you have to start with the truth.
Not Just What, But When
When it comes time to buy, the customer's priorities change. She might well buy from whichever store offers same-day delivery and installation.
Adding Story-Doing to Your Story Telling
Imagine somebody wants to document your (presumably) unique company culture. You invite her to one of your morning meetings. Now, does her observation confirm or contradict your ads?
The Slow Season Fallacy of PPC Advertising
When almost no one is in the market for what you sell — i.e., when it’s slow season — then almost no one is searching on relevant keywords.
Why Your Word-of-Mouth Ain’t As Good As You Think — And What to Do About It
When marketers and business owners talk about Word-of-Mouth, they only think they’re talking about the same thing.
Why Telling The Truth Ain’t Enough — And What Honest Businesses Should Add to It
Think of “the way” as both a future hope and a path to get there.
3 Reasons Why Everyone’s STILL Talking About “The Slap” — and How to Harness That Power For Your Advertising
I don’t even have to tell you what slap I’m talking about, do I?
Harnessing The Pure Power of Friendly Familiarity For Owner-Operators
Of course you’ll grab Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes over the (significantly) cheaper, generic and off-brand alternatives.
Branding in 75 Words or Less
When the main benefits your brand delivers are self affirmation, status, and hope, you can charge almost anything you want.
A “Common Sense” Mistake That’s Killing Your Advertising Effectiveness
By the time you’ve been on the air for three months, your audience knows who you are.