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We need an Operations Director in Austin

My company, GasPedal, and its brands, SocialMedia.org and WordofMouth.org, are growing fast. And we’re looking for talented, passionate people to join our team in Austin and Chicago. We’re hiring an Operations Director at SocialMedia.org. It’s a fantastic place to work: interesting work, a meaningful mission, and positive culture. I’d be grateful if you could share […]

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Older customers are better than newer customers

Everyone knows you make more money selling more to existing customers than you do from new customers.  But most promotions are focused on special deals for new customers. That’s expensive — and it often pisses off loyal customers who feel screwed. When’s the last time you improved things for existing customers? Here’s a fantastic example […]

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The best possible org chart

We’re big fans if the Inverted Org Chart. Most companies show the CEO standing on top of management, who stand on the backs of the staff. Wrong message. The purpose of a company is NOT to support the executives. Our org chart looks like this: We all support our customers.  All staff supports the front-line […]

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Blow Their Mind, Man

The secret to word of mouth marketing (and to be an awesome company): Blow people’s minds with amazing gestures.  Do it surprisingly and generously.  Do it for people with big audiences (or social media audiences). Classic example: Morton’s delivered a steak to Peter Shankman at an airport (where they didn’t have a restaurant). Read the […]

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Do you really know what you’re talking about?

Plastic bags are bad for the environment. Paper is better. Right? Except for the facts that paper bags result in 2x more greenhouse gasses, 3x more energy, and 20x more water wasted. I honestly don’t have any strong opinions about this topic. But I do think most of us are lazy about learning real scientific […]

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The No-Pants Problem

I want to buy from you.  But I’m not wearing any pants.  (Actually, I am. But my wallet is in some other room, in my work pants.) I get to your web site checkout. There’s only one way to pay: credit card. There’s no way I’m getting off that couch to find my pants with […]

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Another native advertising deception

Companies that sell native advertising are telling advertisers that it’s the most effective advertising ever. But … they are only reporting half the story — that lots of people view and share native advertising. Native advertising is fundamentally deceptive. Why? Its purpose is to trick people into viewing ads by disguising them as regular content. […]

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Nasty talk — when you least expect it

Check out this great video for the Thug Kitchen Cookbook. It’s totally inappropriate — except that it’s perfect for the product, and it’s actually funny. If you’re going to try a viral stunt that’s crass, make sure it’s appropriate to your brand and relevant to the product. Not like K-mart’s poop jokes.

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Make great promises

Amazon gets right to the point with this offer. It gets right to the fear that might stop you from buying a tablet for your kids — and answers it convincingly. It creates a new reason to buy at the same time: I should get this so my kids don’t break my tablet. Most important: It’s […]

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