From the category archives:

Marketing Guesswork

Why Do People Buy – Part Two

January 14, 2010
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So what does all this mean to marketers? (See Part One)
1. Advertising and marketing strategies should attempt to present an appeal strong enough to stimulate action toward satisfying one of Maslow’s basic human needs.
2. Maslow believes lower levels always take priority over higher levels so you shouldn’t attempt to sell products or services that only [...]

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Don’t Neglect the Sales People!

January 3, 2010
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I had an experience recently that shouldn’t have surprised me but it did. It happened as I started working with a $40 million software company.
My job is to help the company improve it’s value proposition and follow through with detailed marketing and tactical plans. To gather the necessary information, I was participating in a conference [...]

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Marketing Schmarketing. It’s not what you think.

December 16, 2009
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What is marketing? Don’t ask me. And don’t bother Googling it either. And, please don’t ask your boss, your wife, your web designer or marketing consultant. It seems that the real purpose of marketing has been lost somehow over the last few years. I’m not even going to tell you that MY definition is correct [...]

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A life without risk is a life without growth.

November 9, 2009
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Looking back over the years I can see that my path has been what one might call “the road less traveled”. For me, risk and reward are inexorably linked and I have never worried about the possible consequences of zigging where most people zag. Of course this is the mindset of an invincible young man. [...]

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Marketing in a recession. What's the difference?

October 13, 2008

Everywhere I turn I see companies attempting to leverage the much hyped “downturn” in the economy. All of a sudden, they are touting special “Recession” services and techniques to overcome impending doom. Marketing and advertising agencies are especially guilty offenders. So, in my inimitable tradition of cutting through the smoke and smashing the mirrors, allow [...]

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Mmmm, sweat sock pie.

September 10, 2008

Parts is Parts But Pie isn’t Pie.
I’m often asked to consult on very narrow parts of a marketing and advertising program. For example: “Pete we just want to you tell us why our web site isn’t producing the number of leads we think it should.” Or, “Pete, just take a look at this direct mail [...]

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Hitler's Moustache

August 8, 2008

I recently shaved off my goatee due to a terrible shaving accident. I was able to salvage a reasonable “jazz dot” from the remains of my facial manhood. (You may know this type of facial hair as an “imperial”, “royale”, “soul patch” or “nubbin”). So what does this somewhat personal information have to do [...]

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