David Ogilvy had it right!

It’s time to go back to the future with David Ogilvy. Direct vs General vs. Internet vs. Social Media. Direct wins hands down. Here’s why…

Just how powerful is social media? Some amazing stats!

Just how powerful is social media? I can’t wait to hear your comments on these stats and facts about social media.

Social Media and the United Breaks Guitars Video – A Cautionary Tale for ALL marketers

For the last year I’ve been saying — screaming actually — that companies better have their acts together, otherwise they’re sitting ducks in this new age of customer centricity. If your customer service, products and brand image aren’t all buttoned up, you risk getting skewered on the internet, i.e., the people’s media.

The video I’m referring to is really amazing to see. Here’s the story behind it: United Airline’s baggage handlers break a passenger’s guitar, and the next thing you know 5.3 million people hear about it in a catchy, four-minute ditty on YouTube. Viralocity at its finest (and scariest).

Helping you stay motivated, watch this…

Helping you stay motivated, watch this… Everybody needs a little inspiration and motivation once in a while….

Blogging primer part 2 – Jim gives up his power blogging secrets!

In part 2, I get a bit personal, offering some tips I’ve used to build my personal direct marketing blog and others.

As a direct marketing consultant, blogging has been a powerful tool for me as part of my overall networking strategy. While I do plenty of in-person networking, I much prefer the newfangled way of using my blog and social media to drive lead generation and ultimately customers my way.

So here, follow these steps. And shhh, don’t tell anybody about this, OK?

Blogging Primer – WHAT to blog for success

When used correctly, blogs can be an excellent tool for engaging prospects and customers — especially in today’s environment, when the companies we deal with are more machine than human. We call in and get interactive voice response rather than a live person. We read FAQs instead of speaking to customer service reps. It’s an isolated feeling.

So when I create a blog for a client, I do the following three things:

Make it…

Less bars in less places AT&T/iPhone video proves out how viral video works in a social media, customer-centric world

I am always banging home the point that social media and web 2.0, especially video that goes viral can drive the success or failure of a product or service. Here is a perfect little example of a video that is currently making the social media rounds that takes aim at the AT&T Apple Partnership with the iPhone; directly lobbying to get away from the exclusive arrangement.

Hurricane season in FL – Time For My 5th Annual Preparedness Guide to Surviving a Business Disaster (no matter where you are located)

I live in Florida, home of hurricanes, crazy drivers and the occasional tornado. Right now in the tropics Ana and Bill are threatening the leeward islands and threaten to hit the Dominican Republic (where I am currently on vacation) on Tuesday, before moving towards Florida and the Gulf.

Thus every year at about this time, I serve up my annual disaster planning guide.

Disasters happen in all forms just about anywhere — without warning, at any time. So prepare your company and yourself. Here’s a disaster-readiness checklist I suggest you look over carefully. If you think you’re on top of this, I recommend you compare your list to this one to ensure you have all bases covered.

Have sales/marketing fundamentals changed? Watch this video, decide and let me know

This is a brilliant video example of how B2B (and consumer) marketing fundamentals and selling has NOT changed over time. Kudos! Enjoy “the man in the chair”, and let me your thoughts?

A client vendor negotiations video that’s LOL funny (see if you’re guilty of any of these)

This is a good one. A hysterical video on client vendor relationships and payments. I don’t know about you but I may be guilty of some of these tactics. Thanks to the videographers for calling us out.