A man is flying in a hot air balloon and realizes he is lost. He reduces height and spots a man down below. He lowers the balloon further and shouts: "Excuse me, can you tell me where I am?" The man below says: "Yes, you're in a hot air balloon, hovering 30 feet above this […]
How Allen-Edmonds can make $2.5 million extra this year
February 27, 2009
I love Allen-Edmonds shoes. For guys like me who like shiny shoes, they are the best, and we're pretty crazy passionate about them. So how do they make $2.5 million extra? Put free shoe shines back in the stores (they used to offer this). Offer to shine any shoes, not just their brand. 32 company-owned […]
Newsletter #720: The “Learn from Your Customers’ Mistakes” Issue
February 26, 2009
{Welcome back to the Damn, I Wish I Thought of That Email Newsletter. This is text of the great issue all of our email subscribers just received. Sign yourself up using the handy form on the left.} When a customer commits a mistake on your site, it's your fault. Watch for these trends and look […]
Blogs are your best search marketing investment
February 25, 2009
Type "Jeremiah" into Google. You'll get Jeremiah (the Biblical Prophet), Jeremiah (the TV show), and Jeremiah Owyang, the blogger from Forrester (who may or may not be a prophet – look at the pictures and decide.) Owyang is #5 in Google. Before you spend a nickel on search marketing, try assigning one employee to blog […]
Home is where your mug is
February 24, 2009
Starbucks should give loyal patrons their own personalized mug, to use and keep at the store. The store would clean it for you between visits. Picture a German brew house, with ornate personalize steins on the wall. You'd get loyal customers, word of mouth from people showing off their special mug, and a chance to […]
Fans. You need fans. Not customers. Fans who love you.
February 21, 2009
When is the last time a customer sent a love letter to you?When is the last time you sent a love letter to a fan? Ford got it just right:
Newsletter #719: The “Make It an Adventure” Issue
February 19, 2009
{Welcome back to the Damn, I Wish I Thought of That Email Newsletter. This is text of the great issue all of our email subscribers just received. Sign yourself up using the handy form on the left.} Create some fun for your fans by offering them an adventure. 1> Mix it up 2> Make it […]
2.5 million evangelists
February 17, 2009
Microsoft has announced that the public beta of Windows 7 is “limited to 2.5 million downloads.” This is fantastic word of mouth marketing. A few people will actually do a rigorous beta test, but all 2.5 million people now have an emotional stake in the success of the product. When 2.5 million bosses walk down […]
Give people a meaningful reason to talk
February 16, 2009
By now you've probably heard that Hyundai is offering people in financial trouble the right to return their car (details). Which is the point. Every other auto manufacturer is responding to the economic situation with cheesy me-too sales. There's no reason to talk about a car sale. But Hyundai figured out something that was different, […]
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