Why Conflict Is Essential – In Advertising and Life
We demand conflict, tension, and drama — be it in sports, books, movies, or advertising.
A Marketing Lesson, With Love From Gaston
Spoiler Alert… Gaston doesn’t get the girl, and you likely won’t get the customer if you take his same approach.
What’s Your Ad Campaign’s Meta-Narrative?
Is the story of Rocky really about boxing? Or is it about an underdog’s epic journey? Great ads are like that too.
Good Things Come in Threes – Strategy, Message, and Budget
Without a well-structured strategy, owners often end up bobbing in the water with no landmarks in any direction.
The Straight Dope On Dirty Sales: A Wiseguy’s Guide To The Scams, Cons, And Sleaze Of Unethical Selling
A warning for the s*** you should never pull.
What Kids Can Teach You About Story Persuasion
There’s a REASON why for every conflict we always want to know “who started it?”
How to Increase Brand Loyalty
Bill and three of my closest friends joined a cult and disappeared from my life. You might be asking yourself, “What does this have to do with marketing?”
Don’t Stop Pushing the Car: Effective Marketing When Times are Lean
Having worked with many, many business owners, the default is always panic.
The Common-Sense Mistake Sabotaging Your Ads
Are your ads aimed at winning the type of buying decision that your customers are actually making?
Your Company: Leaf or Kite?
A kite can fly. But only when it is bridled to something bigger than itself. It is part of a system that creates lift: A leader with a vision.
Business as Romance: The Art and Science of Winning Customer’s Hearts
"In the absence of an emotional connection, people always choose the lowest price."
The 2nd Worst Time to Introduce Yourself to a Customer
By then — absent extraordinary sales skill — it’s too late to build preference and make a high value sale.
What Are Your Ads Really Selling?
People evaluate professional services in the same way that they’d evaluate a potential friend or romantic partner.
Sales Promotions are Like Fertilizer (Helpful & Dangerous)
Use too much fertilizer and your business will smell like manure.
Inherent Drama As Advertising Super Power
One of the secrets behind many of the most iconic mascots, slogans, and campaigns in American history.