About
What I do and why I do it…
Even though I turned 60 last year, I feel like I’m getting my second wind.
I have spent a good portion of my adult life (since 1983) in sales. In spite of that, I’m not a hard-sell. In fact, many of the sales managers I worked for couldn’t figure out how I performed consistently at the top of the team’. It was not something I could easily explain but looking back on it now, it had to do with gaining rapport, proper pacing and genuinely caring about the people I was with in the moment.
I had some failures…
Selling over the phone was one of them. It wasn’t my strength. At the time, it felt like a failure but looking back, it was the beginning of a valuable learning process about the difference between interruption and attraction in marketing.
Since the late ’70′s, I was fascinated with computers. From my first TRS-80 Tandy (Radio Shack) computer with an amazing 4K of RAM. Check out the blog posting Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch Changes for a peek at how things have changed. Those things were hot back in 1977. Over the years, I kept up pretty well and eventually started studying social media and inbound marketing- which seemed like the best of high tech and psychology combined. I had designed some websites for my wife a few friends and started the Shop Marketing Tips newsletter and blog to stretch my writing muscles. Like lots of people, I didn’t really know what I was doing – but I kept doing it.
I don’t agree with a lot of the hype about Social Media…
It has become a haven for spammers and people who want to get rich selling other peoples’ ideas to people who can’t come up with original ideas of their own.
I believe things are going to quickly come around to personal interaction and support of local business rather than continuing to feed the corporate giants. I appreciate wordcraft, creativity, entrepreneurs and the effort that small business owners put forth to be successful. I’m one of them. I create my own websites, I’m on twitter and facebook and LinkedIn.
But if you are just getting started, take comfort. A year ago I knew less than you do. I just found it interesting and kept learning something new every day.
It’s easy to be an authority on something you are passionate about.
These days it’s hard to know what to do with marketing dollars. It’s true that the old ways aren’t working and people ‘let their thumbs do the texting’ instead of ‘let their fingers do the walking’. Having an online presence is very important but it is even more important to keep educating yourself on market trends.
I just don’t think your have to empty your wallet to attract your fair share of great clients – especially if you are in a niche that isn’t known for high tech marketing strategies – like auto repair, plumbing, electrical, salons or thousands of other small businesses.
I like working with independent small businesses who are serving their local market with integrity and want to reinvent themselves. Local business marketing is relationship marketing at its finest and that’s what I enjoy doing.
It’s still about building trust
It can be as simple as sending a handwritten ‘thank you’ with an reprint from an article you enjoyed by a local columnist. It can be as easy as taking your best customer to lunch and asking for their input as to how you can serve them better. How about doing a workshop for seniors at your local community center or library on how to do something that you are good at doing.
It can all be fun again.
The other thing I love teaching is the creative process. I teach a 6 week workshop online and in person that will show you the 7 steps that every creative process goes through that will have you churning out super original ideas to enrich your business and personal life. It’s probably the most fun you’ll ever have learning.
So if you would like to be more creative, more open to fresh marketing ideas, and have some fun with your marketing, subscribe to the feed by RSS or email at the right – or share this site with others.
If you want to discuss marketing ideas for your business (or just say hi) – give me a call at (913) 871-0678 or email me here
Your comments are welcome and appreciated. Just leave a reply or ask a question below – and thank you for visiting.
