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.
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?”
The Common-Sense Mistake Sabotaging Your Ads
Are your ads aimed at winning the type of buying decision that your customers are actually making?
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.
Is Cap’n Crunch Driving Your Marketing?
A marketing diet heavy on pay-per-click is not sustainable. It lacks all the essential minerals and nutrients that make buyers love you.
Fierce Competition, Long Buying Cycles, and Great Advertising
For long buying cycles, pre-convince customers before they're looking. Waiting is too costly.
Why I Got Fired
In a little over 18 months, top of mind awareness jumped 550%. And I was fired. And I deserved it.
Effective Marketing on a Budget
The common shotgun style approach may actually hurt your business growth if you are working on a limited budget.
The New Voice of Writing Ads (Non-Ads)
What's driving this trend? In a word: trust. Consumers are looking for brands they can connect with on a deeper level.