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.
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.
It’s natural
Natural ain’t gonna cut it. There are too many businesses waving that stick in the air. You need a strong competitive advantage that is uncopiable.
David Ogilvy’s Secrets of Good Ads
"When I write an advertisement, I don’t want you to tell me that you find it ‘creative.’ I want you to find it so interesting that you buy the product.”
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.
My Idiot Friends
Stories are memorable, cherished, and shareable because of imperfection. A good ad writer creates attraction to imperfection.
Empire Builders: Spider-Man – Saved by a real Super Hero
A new kind of hero and a tricky way to get his idea past the editor.
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.
Screw You, I’m Going To Stand Out
How do you become the industry market leader if you say the same thing as every other business?
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.
The Thing is Never the Thing
I would never criticize something I have no experience with… so I went ahead and bought an automated iHeart radio ad to advertise this article.
Fundamental Forces of Business – Part 4
Harley Davidson's use of the Strong Atomic Force earned them $360 million last year -- not on bikes -- on branded merchandise.