Combatting MAS: Mindless Accept Syndrome
In this TED Talk, though, David Grady provides some advice that I think is worth a listen: how to save yourself from bad meetings.
Posts
4 ways to keep the content flowing
Blogs establish credibility, get your name out there and remain excellent search engine fodder. The only trouble? Finding a steady stream of content to publish.
Flip the Funnel – What if all of your company’s marketing is completely backwards?
I often discuss books with our clients and business partners that I think can have a major positive impact on their businesses. One title which has consistently been on the list for the last couple years is Joe Jaffe’s “Join the Conversation”. His most recent book, “ Flip the Funnel”, is equally powerful. The assumption in this book is that many traditional marketing approaches are getting it all wrong. In other words, the focus has been on customer Acquisition as opposed to customer Retention; on the fat side of the funnel, as opposed to the skinny one.
Jaffe passionately argues , and backs it up with statistics, that investing in existing relationships is far more profitable than devoting the bulk of your budget to acquiring new customers. “Retention is the new Acquisition”.
I know what you’re thinking – how can I possibly find the time to read another book? Fear not, we’ll do that for you, and more. Below you will find a link to a video where Jaffe himself gives an overview of the book.
Length of the video – 4 minutes and 33 seconds. The impact it will have on your bottom line – Priceless.
Here is the link to the video – http://bit.ly/beh1xP
Here is the link to the book – http://amzn.to/alaDJT
One last thing before you post: Editing best practices
There is a new level of immediacy in so many of the written marketing communications vehicles we use today – including blogs, micro-blogs, and Web sites you can update with the click of a button. Your thoughts can be “out there” in an instant. And sometimes that’s not such a good thing.
Here are five levels of editing you can apply to any piece of writing that will maintain your credibility online:
1. The content. Save your message and walk away from it for at least five or ten minutes, or longer if you can. Then re-read your message from an objective perspective. Is this what you meant to say? Could it be easily misunderstood or inflame controversy? Controversy is not necessarily a bad thing, nor can you always predict it, but it’s helpful to be as prepared as you can.
2. The spelling and typing. Use your computer’s spell checker to catch any typos or other errors. Reading your message aloud (see the next point) can also help with words that are commonly mixed up (e.g., here and hear). If you’re not sure, look it up.
3. The grammar and readability. Read your message out loud and ensure your words flow and make sense. Don’t try to combine too many ideas in the same sentence. Run-on sentences make it too hard for your reader to stay with you.
4. The density. Break up long paragraphs so they are just one or two sentences each. Use lists to highlight key information and to allow the reader to scan through your message.
5. The framework. Introduce your message, make your point, and then conclude your message.
Remember that just because you CAN share your thoughts with people around the world in an instant doesn’t mean that you SHOULD. So click the pause button before you click the send button, and practice these basic editing tips.