Feeling marooned, without a compass? Here’s your 2012 marketing map!

It often happens that I’m invited to meet up with a friend or business colleague for coffee or lunch at a restaurant I haven’t been before. In order to make sure that I arrive on time and with as little stress as possible, I usually go online for a map and directions. As a backup, […]

Happy Thanksgiving: Where did it all begin?

Sure, you’ve heard about the Pilgrims and the Indians and the first Thanksgiving, but that was just a dinner. Do you know how Thanksgiving, now officially celebrated on the 4th Thursday of every November, earned its place as one of the major US holidays? 11 December, 1620: 102 pilgrims disembarked the Mayflower at Plymouth rock […]

An open letter to 2012 Holiday Shoppers

Before you set out on your 2012 holiday shopping adventure I wanted to point out that – just by doing what you’re going to do anyway (shop) – you have the opportunity to improve the economy. Let’s face it, it’s pretty obvious that the government has neither the will nor the disinterested common sense needed […]

Friday’s 5 – Marketing Shorts and Sweets

I don’t know what happened, I just realized that I didn’t put up a Friday’s 5 last week — and that’s crazy because for whatever reason, there are a lot of good marketing tidbits to share right now! This isn’t really marketing but it made me laugh: But these are marketing, enjoy! [READ] Facebook inspired […]

4 Ways to Sell More Gift Cards this Holiday Season

Over the last couple of months I’ve been writing about “little white marketing lies” which are falsities many business owners tell themselves and others. These are things they often want to be true about their business but either don’t really understand or don’t want to do the real work needed to make them true. Here’s […]

Don’t punish everyone for one person’s mistake

As a business owner, have you had a few bad experiences which led you to create blanket policies — things like: No cellphones No kids No loitering No food or drink allowed Customers only (restrooms) No use of social media on company time Or have you even gone to the trouble and expense of hiring […]

You’re Too Cool for Facebook

I have a few acquaintances and even family members who think it’s some sort of badge of honor that they aren’t on Facebook. When we talk ‘business’ they lean back and with a disdainful look on their face proudly assert that they aren’t on Facebook, and they never will be. I read the dumb comments […]

Succeeding in the Deal-Centered Economy – November 14 Marketing Savvy Newsletter

what you need to know before you ‘daily deal’ elizabeth kraus | 12monthsofmarketing.com Remember the “4 Ps of Marketing?” If price is not the real problem, why would you try to solve the problem by discounting? I’ll tell you why: it seems like a quick fix, a bandage, a medicine that will take care of […]

November 14 is Loosen Up, Lighten Up Day

November 14 is National “Loosen Up, Lighten Up” Day. If you’ve been procrastinating on getting your marketing in shape to ‘loosen up’ customer’s purse strings and ‘lighten up’ your load by getting your business going this is the perfect time for you craft some special promotions and seek out some strategic marketing partners. Hold a […]

What You Should Do Before You Daily Deal

Toward the end of his article, “The Real Repercussions of Discounting,” Darryl Manco made a very important point. In essence, he asks why you’re trying to cure what ails your marketing with the wrong medicine. Here’s what I mean.  In marketing 101, you learn the “4 P’s” of marketing: Product (the products or services you […]