Thursday, April 10, 2008

That Was Fast!

I can't just stop blogging about marketing - did you really think I would? I didn't either! I've had this bizarre personal blog since 2001 called "Mindnumbing Thoughts" and lucky for me, it turns out the URL was available!

My new blog, the one that replaces this one is now live! Visit www.mindnumbingthoughts.com to subscribe to the feed, read up and get all the goods. This new blog will be focused on more general social media, online community building and of course, my own mindnumbing thoughts.

I hope I'll see you there!

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Monday, April 07, 2008

Haitus

As many of you know, I've had a major shift in career strategy about a month ago. I took a job with Microsoft (yea, yea, I know... evil empire, borg, assimilation etc...) and am leaving for now, the non-profit arena after 7 years.

I'm sad to write that this blog is on hiatus until perhaps I join the board of a non-profit (it could happen!) or decide to come back.

I *may* be starting a new blog, focused on social marketing, but haven't come up with a good name yet. I'm also busy finding my way at the giant known as Microsoft. Comments remain open, thought it seems that my blog has become ground zero for Runescape gold advertisers. Feel free to chime in or peruse the archives.

You can always follow my adventures on Twitter if you feel so inclined. Somehow, I am sure this is not good bye but more like a pause in programming.

Wednesday, March 05, 2008

True Blue

Regina Spektor
Joss Whedon
Neil Gaiman
Kevin Smith

What those four have in common is that I'm a true fan. I buy and see everything they do and I subscribe to their blogs and friend them on Myspace (or Facebook). I didn't realize how important that was (but had a notion) until reading Kevin Kelly's recent 1,000 True Fans post.

This is so, so applicable to non-profits it's scary.

Other than aim for a blockbuster hit, what can an artist do to escape the long tail?

One solution is to find 1,000 True Fans. While some artists have discovered this path without calling it that, I think it is worth trying to formalize. The gist of 1,000 True Fans can be stated simply:

A creator, such as an artist, musician, photographer, craftsperson, performer, animator, designer, videomaker, or author - in other words, anyone producing works of art - needs to acquire only 1,000 True Fans to make a living.

Non-profits must consciously develop their fan bases - and being a once a year donor isn't enough. By consciously developing 1,000 fans, non-profits will discover their voice and figure out new ways to reach into communities and networks to find lifetime supporters.

Friday, February 22, 2008

Marketing as a Conversation

Phew! Just got done this morning over coffee reading Joseph Jaffe's "Join the Conversation."

Jaffe is relentless (yay!) about the new marketing and how it is transforming marketing and brand management/building.

If I had been lucky enough to get to put a quote on the book jacket (maybe he can open that up to a wiki on his next book, why stop at the cover?) I would have *maybe* said this:

"This book (and the author) is so relentless and passionate about new marketing that it practically forces you to start a blog and a conversation with your customers before you even finish it."
Ok, seriously though, Jaffe lays out the case and makes it time and time again with examples, case studies and a workbook like approach that includes manifestos, checklists and planners.

As I was reading, I took a few notes knowing that I was going to blog about it when I finished. The problem is, my notes ended up being pages and pages long, almost every chapter had a nugget or thought I wanted to capture and remember.

That said, I will simply agree with Jaffe's "one thing to take from the book" which was that It's never too late to join the conversation.

Disclaimer: As part of the "marketing" for Join The Conversation (and in full disclosure), Jaffe is also running a program he calls, UNM2PNM (Use New Media To Prove New Media) where he gave away 150 copies of the book to bloggers (yes, that's me, and yes this is me blogging on my own free will about something I really enjoyed).

I'm now 3 for 3 on business books in 2008. Made to Stick, Meatball Sundae and Join the Conversation. It's like the new branding trilogy.

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Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Dignity vs. Humanity

This is a great, great article written by a very smart man.

"There is no us and them. There’s just us."

Nice job Jeff!

Monday, February 18, 2008

Words that Drive Me Crazy

A rant, just because I feel like it... (find out who I'm blaming for my ornery mood at the end of this post).

Web2.0
Words matter, I know! But the abuse of short-hand terms makes me crazy. Web2.0 is classic abuse. It's become a catchall for anything "conversation related."

Platform
I abused the term platform back in 2001/02 while at a technology start-up. It's making a MASSIVE comeback to it's own detriment. It's so innocuous and generalized that it simply is a useless term. Let me ask you this...

  • Is Windows a platform?
  • Is Google?
  • Is Microsoft Office?
  • Is Facebook?
Yes, of course they are... so someone please tell me - what do you mean when you say platform?

Social Media Strategy
Using this phrase is 99.9% of the time a shield to mask the fact that we have no idea what to do next. We'd rather talk about our "Social Media Strategy" than discuss the fact that we don't control our messages anymore.

The "New" something
Regular readers should know by now that I'm a Seth Godin disciple. However, didn't we go through the "New New" thing ages ago? Didn't I read a book about that? Godin is talking about "The New Marketing" and Jaffe's agency is "a new marketing company." It's all shiny and new, isn't it? I'm not saying they aren't both absolutely RIGHT... but this post is about words and how they drive me nutso.

So Who is to Blame?
This is the 2nd ornery post and/or comment I've made on my blog since I started Joseph Jaffe's new book Join the Conversation. The guy is spot on and the book is brilliant. But it's putting me in a bad mood. He's partially to blame, and I'm going to tell him so when we eventually meet.

But Jaffe didn't make me write this blog... no... the catalyst was this podcast from 1to1Media. Anyone want to play a new marketing terms drinking game with me as we all listen? (Was that over the line?).

What words drive you crazy - please share!

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Friday, February 15, 2008

Must Blog About This...

I couldn't have posted this video fast enough.