Bad Marketing Examples

by Erik on March 8, 2013

It’s out there, lurking in the shadows… Begging for change and bumming cigarettes and pissing people off.

It’s good marketing… gone bad.

You can find it online, slumming around the dark corners of the Internet… And you can find it offline in print ads and radio spots and on your local television.

Here’s three examples of great marketing tactics that are used wrong by nearly everyone:

1. Email Marketing. Is there a more misunderstood, more misused form of marketing in the world today? It really shouldn’t be that hard, but I still receive boring, pushy, shitty emails every single day. Come on, people!

Make your emails fun and engaging. Provide value, be compelling and interesting!

Mail regularly, and respect your lists. Treat your subscribers like real people, and you’ll do well.

If you’re looking to dive into Email Marketing (or looking to learn how to actually do it the right way) you should check out the Email Marketing Course Brian McLeod and I created last year:

http://www.emailmarketingkickstart.com

2. Social Media. So you post an endless barrage of hype-filled sales messages, eh? How’s that working out for you? Not that good, I’m guessing. Try an 80/10/10 balance: 50% engaging and interesting stuff, 40% personal stuff, and 10% business/sales stuff.

And for God’s sake – Quit adding me to events and groups without asking first!

3. Webinars. If you want me to spend my time joining you on live webinars, keep me interested and try not to be too pushy. Provide value! And notice how I said LIVE webinars? If you’re trying to use automated webinars, that’s cool…

But don’t try to fool me into thinking it’s live when I know it’s not.

That’s just shitty.

Notice a theme running through these three tactics?

That’s right… Start with VALUE first. Don’t be a moron.

Be fun and engaging and ethical and memorable… and these three platforms can work wonders for your business!

{ 0 comments }

Dealing with crappy days

by Erik on February 20, 2013

Hey guys…

You ever just have one of those days?

The sort of day where literally EVERYTHING goes wrong?

I’m having one of those WEEKS.

Emergency replacement of all the tires on my JEEP. Last minute meeting cancellations. Arguments with my wife.

The list goes on and on…

It almost feels like the the universe is conspiring against me!

All the stress is piling up, making it hard to work, which then stresses me out even more because I’m not getting my work done.

Ever feel like that?

It’s a vicious cycle, isn’t it?

I’m not some “woo woo” personal development guy, so I don’t really have any answers for dealing with situations this…

Other than to share what I do, which is:

1. I stop fighting it. I’ve learned that the more I fight things and the harder I push, the worse things seem to get.

So I go with the flow.

I refuse to feel bad about needing a day off. I refuse to feel bad about being depressed. Everyone gets a little down once in awhile… its totally natural.

If I need an afternoon nap (or even an entire day in bed) I embrace it and use the time to rejuvenate.

2. I remain grateful. Yes, expensive, emergency car repairs suck. Yes, arguing with my wife and falling behind with my goals and projects also sucks.

But you know what? I have a lot to be grateful for. So I just keep positive and keep moving forward :-)

Anyways, hope this helps.

I better go and light some incense and do some meditative yoga or something!

Erik

{ 1 comment }

Inside the grand opening of a luxury hotel

by Erik on February 1, 2013

I was chatting with an old friend the other day, and he told me some interesting stories about his time spent working at a luxury hotel in Seattle.

Maybe “luxury” isn’t the right word.

This place wasn’t just luxurious…

If I told you the name, you’d instantly recognize it and visions of BMW’s and 900-count Egyptian Cotton sheets would dance through your head.

Anyways, my buddy Jacob was hired right out of college and given a job as a bell hop.

His entire training focused on “anticipating the needs of the client” and according to Jacob, they talked about things like “customer experience” and “unparalleled excellence.”

I would have expected that.

Of course a luxury hotel brand would try to educate its employees about the culture.

Here’s what was unexpected though:

The hotel was brand new to Seattle.

They weren’t even open yet, but they STILL paid my friend a full paycheck for three weeks.

And what did he have to do to earn it?

Nothing… Just read a manual and attend a couple of training meetings.

That’s it.

———————

The day before the grand opening, they assembled every single new employee in the lobby for a first look at the hotel, in all it’s gleaming beauty.

Hundreds of housekeepers, bell hops, clerks, cooks, and valets all gathered to “ooh” and “aah” at the marble floors, and the thousand-dollar flower arrangements peppered throughout the lobby…

Then music kicked up, and all the managers started clapping for the employees…

Who were then led down a hallway to a banquet room.

They shook hands with the general manager, who introduced himself personally to each new employee, and thanked them for being part of the team.

Then Jacob and the rest of the new employees were given a small gift and a name tag, and let into the ballroom…

Where there was a jazz band, a beautiful 5 course dinner for all 600 of them, and an open bar ALL NIGHT.

Interesting right?

I asked Jacob how it felt, and his answer was the reason I felt this story might apply to YOU.

He said, “I had the hugest grin on my face the WHOLE night. I’d never been treated like that, eaten food like that. And the general manager and all the big wigs were there, hanging out with us…

It helped me really understand what our guests were expecting, and it also made me feel like part of a big family. I felt like we were all working together on something that mattered.”

———————

This company wanted to show it’s new employees what it felt like to be one of the hotel’s guests so they could better serve them.

Better understand the company’s brand, the company’s message.

And while you might not have employees…

You do have a blog or a website, and maybe a help desk, and
certainly some social media accounts…

They work for you.

Or they’re supposed to, anyways… Right?

So let me ask you:

Do they do a great job of conveying your message?

Something to think about.

It all comes down to branding – Making sure your always speaking a consistent unique message to your customers.

I’ve created a couple free videos and worksheets that will help you do this in your own business.

If you’re interested, check them out here:

http://www.themoneybrand.com

Have a great weekend!

Erik

P.S. – Jacob also told me some crazy stories about the famous people he met during his time working at the hotel.

I won’t name names, but apparently a famous pop singer who’s name rhymed with “Bladonna” once requested 50 ripe mangos. In Seattle.

In the middle of the winter.

They flew them in from California.

Crazy, right?

{ 1 comment }

Sign spinning sucks

by Erik on January 29, 2012

You’ve heard of sign spinning, right?

Maybe you’ve heard it called sign walking, or sign twirling, or sign waving…

This is when a local business hires someone to stand on a corner, hold a sign, and spaz out in an attempt to get people to stop in.

Small Business Owners: If you’re doing this, I have no fucking idea what your thinking.

Maybe it’s because you see other businesses doing it?

If so you have Yellow Pages Syndrome and you need to stop.

The Yellow Pages don’t work, yet tons of businesses continue to sink thousands of bucks into advertising with them.

Yellow Pages Syndrome.

So is that what you’re thinking?

Unless you’re a company like Little Caesars with a quick, easy to access offer (Stop in for a $5 pizza, hot and ready to take home) avoid this sort of advertising like the plague.

Think about it.

Do you really want a burned out carny or ex-con repping your business?

Or a pierced up goth kid, looking for weed money?

Wouldn’t you be better off setting up a free Facebook page, and getting people talking about your business?

Or a free Google places page, so your listing comes up on a google map on every smartphone in the world?

Yes.

And consultants, or anyone with half a brain for Internet stuff:

If you see a douchebag standing on the street, holding a sign…

Stop in immediately and talk to the owner. Offer to help them for a couple hundred bucks a month.

They need you.

{ 3 comments }

Hey dude promote my launch! (Personal)

by Erik on January 25, 2012

Lately I’ve been getting more and more emails that look personal, until I open them and realize they are just mass-copied “promote my shit” bulk emails sent to every good affiliate on the planet, all at once.

Promotional emails, disguised as personal emails, with no way to unsubscribe.

And it pisses me right off.

Look, I get it… It’s easier for you to send one fucking email to every affiliate you know. And it’s better for you if I can’t unsubscribe from these emails, or complain without feeling stupid…

And yes, I have websites and email subscribers and social media subscribers…

And yes, I have been known in the past to promote things, and end up on affiliate leader boards.

But one thing you’re forgetting: I’m an asshole.

And I don’t give one single fuck about offending you.

In fact, I drafted an email template (below) that will be going out to people who copy me on shit like this.

Feel free to swipe and share.

———————–

Hey Jackhole:

Please don’t CC me (along with 200 other affiliates) on “promote my launch” emails masked as personal communications. It’s a horrible thing to do and it makes my balls hurt.

The next time it happens, every single email address will be posted on my blog (www.erikstafford.com) along with a note blaming you for the error.

Thanks!

Erik

{ 0 comments }

Outsourcing Sucks

by Erik on January 23, 2012

Ahhh the joys of outsourcing.

Keep reading for an actual email exchange I had today with a programmer in India… Posted word for word, for your enjoyment.

Erik

————

From: Karthik
To: Erik Stafford
Time: 8:23am

Hello Erik,

Kindly find quote for your requirement.

The script cost – $145 USD
Installation cost – $25 USD
design and colors customized to match my colors and logo. – $500 USD

Functionality Requirements:(totally for 5 points) – $330 USD

Total cost – $1000 USD

Thanks & Regards,

KARTHIK

=======================================================

From: Erik Stafford
To: Karthik
Time: 10:07am

Hey Karthik…

I already own the script. Would you be willing to install it, and handle my programming requests, and do some simple color and logo theme work for $400 USD?

Thanks,

Erik

=======================================================

From: Kumar
To: Erik Stafford
Time: 10:38am

Hello Erik,

Thanks a lot for your mail.The total cost of the project along with the script customization and design changes comes around $830.I have discussed with my management they have decided to do the design changes and script customization after a big discount of $230 and do it for $600 please let us know your thoughts we are looking forward for your mail to move forward on your valuable purchase.

Feel free to contact us we will surely provide you a best support from our end.

Regards,

Kumar.V

=======================================================

From: Erik Stafford
To: Kumar
Time: 10:44am

Kumar:

My budget isn’t that high, so again, can you install the software, do my script customizations, and a minor amount of skinning for $400?

Otherwise, I ask you to just do the install and programming for $350.

What happened to Karthik?

Thanks,

Erik

=======================================================

From: Kumar
To: Erik Stafford
Time: 11:06am

Hello Erik,

Thanks a lot for your immediate reply. Ok fine we can do the customization and design changes for $500 we can’t provide you a discount below this if we do then we need to answer our management.

Please let us know your thoughts we are looking forward for your mail to move forward on your project. Feel free to contact us.

Regards,

Kumar.V

=======================================================

From: Erik Stafford
To: Kumar
Time: 11:12am

You are not understanding me.

I will ONLY pay $400. Not a penny more. Please let me know what is possible to do for this amount.

Thanks,

Erik

=======================================================

From: Kumar
To: Erik Stafford
Time: 11:20am

Hello Erik,

Thanks a lot for your mail. Ok fine we can do it on your budget. Please let us know can you make the payment by today we are looking forward your precious reply to move forward on your customization.

Regards,

Kumar.V

=======================================================

From: Erik Stafford
To: Kumar
Time: 11:25am

I can pay you via vWorker, or oDesk, whichever you prefer.

Thanks,

Erik

=======================================================

From: Kumar
To: Erik Stafford
Time: 11:20am

Hello Erik,

Thanks a lot for your reply. Please let me know can you make the payment through Paypal or Moneybooker. Kindly let us know your thoughts we will be waiting for your reply to move forward on your customization.

Regards,

Kumar.V

=======================================================

From: Erik Stafford
To: Kumar
Time: 12:37pm

Kumar:

I have had issues with outsourcing work overseas in the past, so this is what I propose:

- $50 payment immediately to get you started working.
- Another $50 payment when the script is installed and working correctly.
- $100 payment once theme skinning and customization is completed.
- $200 payment when script customization is completed.

Let me know if this works for you and please provide your Paypal email address.

Thanks!

Erik

=======================================================

From: Kumar
To: Erik Stafford
Time: 1:10pm

Hello Erik,

Thanks a lot for your mail.I will provide you the assurance that we will surely provide you the script as you wish and also we will do the customization as satisfying your requirement.If the project cost cross $1500 you can make the payment in different phases.

So please make the single time payment we will surely do the work as per you need. Feel free to contact us for any clarification.

We will surely provide you a best support from our end.

Regards,

Kumar.V

=======================================================

From: Erik Stafford
To: Kumar
Time: 1:16pm

No.

=======================================================

From: Kumar
To: Erik Stafford
Time: 2:05pm

Hello Erik,

Thank you so much for your reply. Can you make the payment in two phases as 70% as Upfront and 30% after completion. Please let us know your thoughts we are looking forward for your reply to move forward on the project.Feel free to contact us for any queries.

Regards,

Kumar.V

=======================================================

From: Erik Stafford
To: Kumar
Time: 4:07pm

No.

=======================================================

From: Kumar
To: Erik Stafford
Time: 4:24pm

Hello Erik,

Thanks a lot for your mail. Please let us know can you make $300 as Upfront and after the completion you can make another $100 kindly let me know shall we move forward on your project and i take this opportunity to let you know the we will provide you a 100% assurance from our end that we will do as per your requirement and also it will surely satisfy your idea please feel free to contact us at any time.

Regards,

Kumar.V

=======================================================

From: Erik Stafford
To: Kumar
Time: 4:25pm

No.

=======================================================

From: Kumar
To: Erik Stafford
Time: 4:50pm

Hello Erik,

Thanks a lot for your mail. Ok fine please send first payment and we will get start right away.

100% assurance from our end that we will do as per your requirement and also it will surely satisfy your idea please feel free to contact us at any time.

Regards,

Kumar.V

{ 8 comments }

How to write a book

by Erik on July 9, 2011

Years ago, when we lived in the Caribbean, we had a blog.

Several times a week, I would post an update about our life in the islands for our friends and family back home.

When hurricane Ivan hit in 2004 and mashed everything, we ended up in Florida… And I went through the blog and pulled out all of the entries and pasted them into a Word Document.

It was almost 500 pages long!

There were several posts about the Redwings (my favorite hockey team) and about poker (a hobby) and other random stuff that didn’t have anything to do with living in the Caribbean…

So I deleted that stuff, and still ended up with 300 pages of great content.

I went through it with a fine-tooth comb, and edited it down again…

And the end result was a great little 200 page book about living in the Caribbean with kids.

I just submitted it to the Amazon Kindle and Apple iBook stores.

The point of this story?

———————

It turns out that it’s really easy to write a book.

All you need to do is build a blog, and then write blog posts several times a week!

Think about it – Deciding to sit down and write a book is a huge, daunting task… But writing a blog post takes what, 10 minutes?

Do it 5 times a week, and at the end of the year chances are good that you’ll have a 200 page book sitting there, ready to edit and publish.

Erik

{ 0 comments }

YouTube Money Brands

by Erik on April 4, 2011

I was peeking around YouTube today. Specifically, I was checking out the most subscribed channels of all time:

http://www.youtube.com/channels?g=0&s=ms&t=a

You may or may not know this, but when you start to get a ton of subscribers, and tons of “views” on your videos…

YouTube will happily make you a paid content provider. They will pay you to simply continue to create videos.

Check it out:
http://www.youtube.com/partners

I have it on good authority that some partners are making upwards of $10K a month.

Anyways…

Back to the point.

What do these YouTube Channels all have in common?

Well, by looking at just a sampling of the them it’s quickly apparent:

1. They are consistent. They all upload videos on a regular schedule. Some on a SET regular schedule (every Monday and Friday, for example).

2. They speak to a specific audience. Watch just a couple videos from each channel and you will notice that based on how the person is dressed, how they talk, how the camera cuts and pans… They are all speaking to a very specific audience.

3. They are unique, interesting, and memorable. None of these channels are boring. Chances are you are either going to love or hate each one, without a lot of middle room.

These three things are critical to building a culture around your business or idea.

Take what these YouTube “stars” are doing and scale it up just a little…

You will see major similarities between what they are doing and what companies like Apple are doing.

———————

My new Book “The Money Brand” is designed to help you find, and DEEPLY CONNECT with an audience.

When done correctly, by following my steps, you will create a loyal base of repeat buyers.

Like Apple has, for example. Or Harley Davidson. Or the major players on YouTube :-)

The thing I’m most excited about?

You can build a Money Brand around any system or business.

- It works for small business owners.
- It works for Fortune 500 businesses.
- It works for internet marketers.
- It works for network marketers.
- It even works for total beginners.

To learn more, click here:

http://www.themoneybrand.com

{ 0 comments }

How To Spot Opportunities

by Erik on March 30, 2011

I’ve been back from the Caribbean for about a week now, and settling into my routine. It feels good.

Hopefully things are good in your neck of the woods, too :-)

Lots of interesting projects on the deck over here that I will be sharing with you over the coming weeks. Hopefully this “glimpse” into my process for making money will help you craft yours :-)

And for me, it always starts with whats around me.

———————

What you notice (that’s around you ALL the time) changes depending on where you are MENTALLY.

It’s crazy…

But whatever your focus is – That’s what you notice.

When we had our first child all those years ago, I remember suddenly I heard babies crying everywhere.

Like they sprung out of the woodwork or something. They were always there, I just never noticed :-)

This ever happen to you?

———————

There was a time when I couldn’t watch a movie without commenting on the beginning title sequence.

What font was being used, and how.

Coincidentally, during that time I was studying typography (fonts) really heavily. I was also playing with an animation software called Flash all the time.

The movie thing drove Wendy crazy :-)

Today, whenever I drive anywhere… I always notice the roads, berms, and sidewalks. Not surprisingly, I’m really into cycling at the moment.

So I notice roads.

Crazy, eh?

———————

I want to encourage you to look at the world through IDEA EYES.

When you do, ways to make money will materialize faster than you can deal with them :-)

Now… I don’t mean surfing the web and buying “solutions” or systems.

No.

What I mean is to always be thinking of creative ways to help others.

To always be open to building around your interests.

Stuff like that.

I want you to be open to partnerships, outside-the-box agreements, joint-ventures, and new directions.

In the next month, for example, I’m launching websites and systems to help a friend of mine sell boats.

He needs more leads, and I understand the web.

BINGO! A perfect opportunity.

He’s paying me a percentage of his commissions, and I never have to sell anything.

I just need to get his phone to ring :-)

Between now and the end of the summer, I am also working on a reggae website, a video game review website, and a website aimed at law firms and accountants.

All of these projects sprang to life because of my idea eyes.

Make sense?

{ 0 comments }

Powerpoint Presentation Tips

by Erik on March 22, 2011

As one of the highest paid branding consultants on the planet, I frequently get called upon to create (or fix) PowerPoint presentations.

Most of these requests come from professional speakers (those who present from stage) or businesses who want to improve their videos and their video presentations.

Invariably if I am asked to fix an existing presentation, the same things are always wrong with them…

So here’s my top three tips for creating memorable PowerPoint presentations:

1. Don’t use too many spins, flips, dissolves, or other transitions. Wacky effects just distract from your message. Keep it simple.

2. Never use more than 10 or so words per slide. Ever. Look – you don’t want people reading… You want them listening! If you are going to have them read, you might as well give them a handout, or a written sales letter.

3. Use more images. And don’t ever use clip art, or cheesy stock stuff. Invest in high quality professional stock images:

http://www.corbis.com
http://www.istockphoto.com
http://www.gettyimages.com

Always remember – The goal of PowerPoint is to communicate VISUALLY. Rather than show ten bullets stuffed with facts about ocean pollution, for example…

Show a big, high quality image of dead fish, washed up on the beach. Now that creates impact! And as the audience takes in the image, TELL them the facts instead.

These tips will help you create stunning presentations. Put them into action, and I can’t wait to see what you come up with!

{ 1 comment }

← Previous Entries