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Archive | September, 2013

How do you treat junior-level employees?

As a young entrepreneur, I was in a VC’s office asking for money. He took a call from one of his portfolio companies and chewed out the CEO. In front of me. I should have walked out of the room. I didn’t have the experience at the time to appreciate that he was an ass […]

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How to get 1,637 customer testimonials

Nothing on earth builds more credibility than real testimonials from real customers. That’s why you have to be impressed with the 1,637 testimonials posted on Headsets.com. When your customers love you, you should be showing it off. A few tips for getting great testimonials: 1. Ask. People need to know that you need and appreciate […]

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Invite your fans to a private party

Check out this private invitation from a car dealer inviting 50 people to check out the new line of cars. People love to feel important. They love to have inside information. They love to be the first to know something. If you can give your fans this experience, they’ll be out there sharing just how […]

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Paying for love doesn’t work

[Here’s a recent post I did for the SmartBlog on Social Media. You can follow the blog here or subscribe to the newsletter here.] Paul McCartney was right: Money can’t buy you love. It just doesn’t work — at least not anymore in an era where we’re getting better at ignoring the marketers obsessed with interrupting us. […]

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Newsletter #956: The “Lessons from an Orthodontist” Issue

[Welcome back to the Damn, I Wish I’d Thought of That! newsletter. This is text of the great issue all of our email subscribers just received. Sign yourself up using the handy form on the right.] Here’s something you rarely hear about an orthodontist’s office: “My kids are freaking excited to go back.” It takes a remarkable […]

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You’ll always get busted. Always.

This is big news. Nineteen companies have just agreed to stop writing fake reviews and to pay $350,000 in fines. Congratulations to New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman and his team whose undercover investigation caught the sleazery in action. “Operation Clean Turf” found companies were using their employees, freelance writers, and “reputation management” services […]

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A terrible sales strategy

You: Found a cool product and filled out a web form to get more information. Salesperson: Emails you, asking to set up a phone call. You: “I don’t even know what it costs or what it does. Can you send me some background and pricing first?” Salesperson (thinking that getting a live lead on the […]

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The best promotions are the simple promotions

On hot summer weekends, running-gear store Fleet Feet Sports goes to the main running trails in Chicago and hands out water. This is great simple marketing.  What could you do?

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Help your guests feel welcome

A little sign turns a random visit into a special occasion. Put a visitor’s name by the front door and they’ll know you care. And, just maybe, they’ll be in a better mood and you’ll get a better result from the meeting. The little things matter.

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