24/7 Bloghttp://www.involved247.com/247-blog/en-US2010-03-10T09:26:09ZSquarespace Site Server v5.9.2 (http://www.squarespace.com/)Seriously... We write ads or people die....http://www.involved247.com/247-blog/2009/6/23/seriously-we-write-ads-or-people-die.htmlBrendan2009-06-23T05:13:07Z

]]>How to be unstoppable in everything you dohttp://www.involved247.com/247-blog/2009/6/5/how-to-be-unstoppable-in-everything-you-do.htmlBrendan2009-06-05T21:58:19ZTwenty years ago on June 4th, 1989 one man stood before a line of tanks in Tianamen Square.

Hats off to him and everything he has stood for over the years.

So, what does this have to do with you, your business or marketing strategy? A lot actually.

You have an idea. Maybe it's small, perhaps it's huge and industry changing. But it is an idea. Much like the protester in Tianamen Square it is an idea that in order to be realized must stand up before the status quo. That could be opposition, competition or just a lack of understanding on what you have to offer.

The question is this. Why do so many people sit on their ideas, dreams, revolutions, and not act on them? This is what keeps so many of us, in the words of Tyler Durden, "Working jobs we hate, so we can buy shit we don't need."

I know why. It is a four letter word I have faced personally and with organizations I have worked with over the years. FEAR.

Let's face it. Most of us would have shit our pants staring down tanks in communist China. But the fear you face quiting your day job, letting it all hang out creatively, finally starting that business you've always dreamed of is no less real or intimidating.

Speaking from experience, I have faced that fear time and time again. Both individually with my own undertakings, as well as the shared fear of working with my clients. Here's the honest truth... every time I start a new project or help a client / friend launch theirs, I worry.

Anyone who says different is selling something or is full of crap.

Here is the dirty little secret most people won't tell you -- no matter your own self-doubt you just can't let fear stop you. Remember, courage is not the absence of fear, it’s doing what needs to be done in spite of it.

The point of all of this is... you can do it. You can face your own fear and self-doubt and make your dreams happen. In fact, I challenge you to do it.

Bad economy... BS! It's already been done or someone else with more money is planning to do it... BS! Roll the dice, take your chances and be unstoppable.

Contact me if you need support, I've got your back. Believe me, I have been there, done that and got the damn t-shirt, more than once.

But hey... it doesn't have to be as serious as staring down tanks. Really, sometimes you just need to put it all on the line (this can be as scary if not more so) and dance to your own beat.

Kick up your heels, have a good time, be remarkable and infectious. Trust me... others will want to join in and support / purchase / hire you.

You don't need to necessarily be the best. Just brave enough to let people know who you are. More often than not, they will join in. That is the beauty of the new economy and humanity in general.

OK. Don't believe me, then watch this video. Honestly, I was impressed and inspired.

]]>3 things to do to improve your bottom line and still be coolhttp://www.involved247.com/247-blog/2009/5/18/3-things-to-do-to-improve-your-bottom-line-and-still-be-cool.htmlBrendan2009-05-18T23:24:36ZCan you increase your market share, improve your bottom line and bring in more business without selling out?

Yes you can!

The fact is that the school of cutting costs, getting more out of people while paying less is basically a lie. You can have it all. And in today's cut-throat market place you can actually charge more and maintain customer loyalty. You just need to know what people value.

Let's face it, being a hardcore capitalist / business guy / girl can sometimes really make your stomach turn as you "F" the supplier, employee or client in an effort to stay profitable. I know we have all gone through that.

But hey... maybe you enjoy that game. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that, I guess... If you don't have a problem with it perhaps you should stop reading right now. Carry on with what is working for you. I just think that your model may not last much longer... Interested, then keep reading.

Let me tell you a quick story first. Last month I had a birthday -- turned 40, no big deal.

There is a gas station near my house. You know the type, typical convenience store. I stop there frequently for gas, an energy drink, pack of smokes (well, not so much on that anymore). Over time I have gotten to know the cashiers and I chat with them, share stories, frustrations, discuss the weather, normal stuff.

A week before my birthday one of the cashiers said, "Hey your birthday is coming up isn't it?" I told her, "Yes, in a few weeks." Again, no big deal. She then told me, "I am going to make you a birthday cake. I am thinking about moving on from this job and starting my own business making cakes." "Great!" I said... not thinking much about it as I left.

Here is the deal. The week before my birthday she reminded me of the offer and asked specifically what type of cake I wanted... (I said carrot). Then she hand-made my birthday cake from scratch -- including grating organic baby carrots because she didn't have a car and could only walk to the organic grocery store... and they didn't have large carrots.

Anyway... the cake was awesome. I offered to pay her for it, fully expecting to pay and she refused. She had it ready on my birthday and my family gobbled it up and was super impressed. I wouldn't think of going to a different gas station now.

OK... what the hell does this have to do with you and your bottom line.

She went the extra mile to create a relationship with a customer, get to know them and deliver a little something extra. Was she paid to do this? No. Did she do it to improve my relationship with her employer? Honestly? Probably not.

The point is as the business owner / CEO are you hiring people like this? Are you creating programs, opportunities for the people you do hire to behave this way? If not, why not?

What does this have to do with your bottom line?

Quite a bit. You're price, service, location, etc. are important don't get me wrong. However, the experience and connection I get doing business with you is just as important and sometimes even more.

In tough times your clients and customers need to "hear" and "experience" you more than ever. That creates loyalty, repeat business and word of mouth. If you are really good you can even be the higher priced product / service and they will still buy from you.

Great! But what can you do about that right now?

Here are three things you can do right now, with virtually no money, just some inspiration and creativity.

1. Relax a bit. Let your employees, staff, etc. develop real meaningful relationships with your customers / clients, especially your regular / frequent ones. Encourage them to go the extra distance, become friends, knock off the "corporate cool" thing. This can't be programmed -- it has to be real. As such make sure you hire the right people, passionate, dedicated and committed.

2. When you can, give just a little bit extra. This doesn't have to be discounts, coupons, frequent flier miles, etc. In fact those are boring and generally suck. What people want is a connection -- a feeling they belong and are a part of something real. Get creative. Need an idea... e-mail me. When in doubt sing the "Cheers" theme song... "Where everybody knows your name..."

3. Connect with your customers / clients online. Utilize Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr... there are literally hundreds of ways to connect with your clients and customers -- current, future and past. Again this doesn't cost a lot of money (in fact it's mostly free), just some time and creativity. How many ways can you extend your relationship beyond the business transaction? There are tons of opportunities.

Shoot me an e-mail if you are looking for some ideas about the above. Ideas are free and I am happy to give them. Or comment to this post about how you are doing this in your business... or how you could.

]]>This is just a Tribute!http://www.involved247.com/247-blog/2009/4/24/this-is-just-a-tribute.htmlBrendan2009-04-24T21:50:29Z You're not hardcore. Unless you live hardcore.
- Jack Black

I have been a long time fan of Tenacious D (actor Jack Black's band). If you don't know the band or the music... check here.

Here's the thing. The point of their awesome song "Tribute" is this. When confronted by the demon they were able to perform the "greatest song in the world". However, the song they eventually record is just a "tribute" -- not actually the "greatest song in the world".

This got me to thinking.

Is the product / service / cause you are marketing "the greatest" or is it really just a "tribute"? Meaning it is just a shadow of what could truly be in whatever category / sector you are in. And if so why?

I realize that this requires a bit of introspection. I mean everyone "knows" that their product / service / cause is the best and everything else is a pale comparison. But, what do I mean by "the greatest"?

Well, first off can you actually be the "greatest"? My assertion is probably not. You might be the "greatest" in a category, or a feature or benefit. But that would relate to a certain buyer demographic. Not everyone can be a "game changer" but by understanding your potential buyers / contributors you can be the "greatest" in a certain category.

The main thing is that whatever you are offering you must be "remarkable". Something that people will talk about.

Here are a few examples off the top of my head:

1. When Netflix hit the scene it was remarkable... another video store with a better selection is a "tribute".

2. Back a million years ago, Earthlink offered one price for internet service instead of a pay-per-usage model. That was remarkable... better pricing on the old model... just a "tribute".

3. More recently the iPhone... perhaps not the "greatest phone in the world" but remarkable. Let's face it, a different phone with some new functions... just a "tribute".

Now you can probably think of some things about all three of those examples that "prove" they are not the "greatest". You are right. However, you can't argue that each example was / is remarkable. Meaning... giving someone a reason to "remark" on it.

You can't please everyone, that is a golden rule. So, you need to do the hard work of picking and choosing your customers / donors. And then be remarkable.

Just saying you are won't make it so to everyone.

]]>Bloggus Interruptushttp://www.involved247.com/247-blog/2009/4/8/bloggus-interruptus.htmlBrendan2009-04-08T17:56:26ZAs some of you may know, I am in the process of switching servers, rerouting DNS, etc. etc.

The new service and Involved 24/7 website will be much improved for everyone once complete. Should be up and running in full by 3:00pm EST tomorrow. Your daily fix of all things Involved 24/7, plus client and collaborator logins, are being brought on line today while I finish moving all of the content, etc. over from the old system.

Sorry for the hiccup. Things will be back on track tomorrow.

As the guy in the movie Airplane! said, "Man, it looks like I picked the wrong week to stop smoking cigarettes."

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