Did you know that the average person spends about 7 hours per day on the internet? That is a 9% increase from 2020’s average, meaning we almost spend as much time online as we do sleeping. Covid-19 affected communities around the world, forcing the majority of individuals to transition into the digital world. The recent Hootsuite Digital 2021 report… More »
When ARE we going back to in-person events?
Learn what 900 attendees and organizers said. Are you struggling to organize and create great experiences for virtual and hybrid events? A recent survey collected from over 900 event organizers and attendees by Whova, an all-in-one event management software company that focuses on in-person, hybrid, and virtual events, revealed their thoughts on and expectations for hybrid events. The… More »
The Digital Trends Shaping Marketing Strategies in 2021
In a comprehensive LinkedIn SlideShare, Hootsuite and We Are Social teamed up to summarize the digital trends of 2020. From internet use to social media reach, this summary of trends from 2020 is a glimpse into what will shape digital going forward. As we start 2021, it’s time we reflect on what we learned from… More »
Announcing Launching for Revenue: How to Launch Your Product, Service or Company for Maximum Growth
I am excited to announce the publication of my latest book, Launching for Revenue: How to Launch Your Product, Service or Company for Maximum Growth, due in March 2018. If you are launching a new company or brand, the odds are definitely against you. Research shows that up to that anywhere from 35 – 80% of… More »
Marketo Benchmarks: How Does Your Marketing Strategy Compare?
Over 1300 marketers from businesses of all sizes were surveyed for the 2017 Marketo North America Marketing Benchmark Report which looks at technology, multi-channel strategy, lifecycle marketing and metrics reporting. I’ve pulled out the most interesting and important findings for you … since I’ve already read all 53 pages. You’re welcome. Marketers across the board face the same… More »
How to Launch Anything: Guy Kawasaki’s Art of the Start 2.0
Guy Kawasaki is speaking in Mountain View on August 20, so I am reading his latest book, Art of the Start 2.0. It’s a fantastic and practical book for anyone starting anything whether it s a new company product or service, or generating a change internally within a larger organization. Since this describes so much… More »
What is the True Purpose of Marketing?
I’ve been thinking a lot about the function of marketing lately and its role in the business. What IS our true purpose in marketing? Perhaps it was seeing lava flowing on the Big Island over Thanksgiving and the calm reaction of the residents as it slowly shifted directions, burning up everything in its slow progression…. More »
The High Cost of Free: The Next Wave Beyond Free Internet and Social Media
Have you heard the news about Ello, the new ad-free, invitation-only alternative to Facebook? Apparently invites are so valuable that they are being sold on eBay for up to $500 for 33 invites. The site is reporting that they are getting up to 31,000 requests per hour. I’ve put mine in, just out of curiosity…. More »
Cutting through the Fog: Cloud Business Models Demystified — and Repositioned (event summary)
Who could resist an event title like that? The evening’s Harvard Business School Innovation and Strategy Roundtable (Sept.18, 2014) conversation did not disappoint. Steve White, program director for the Strategic Alliances Leadership Council (SALC), which is part of IDC’s Software Business Strategies Group was the entertaining and respectful moderator, Chris Yeh, SVP, Product and Platform… More »
The Tale of Two Products: Why Knowing Your Customers is Job #1
During my recent family summer vacation, I ran across two very different consumer packaged goods (CPG) summer promotions, one a very effective marketing strategy and execution and one I’m quite sure will not drive significant results. As a tech marketer, I have deep respect for my CPG colleagues because they have access to huge amounts of… More »
Are Tradeshows Still Valid? 22 Ways to Make Sure Your Next One Is
A client recently asked me a great question: “Are tradeshows still valid anymore?” When clients ask questions like this, it shows me they are open to the possibility that marketing tactics have changed (yes) and that some of the oldies still work (yes). Despite the general mood, tradeshows and other event marketing tactics are still… More »
Google Acquisition of Nest: Stepping into the Smart Home Revolution
Google has just acquired Nest for $3.2B. That’s a lot of cash for a smart thermostat company, even if it may be an entry into the growing smart home market. I first heard about Nest, when I talked with Trae Vasallo earlier this year. They have been doing an absolutely fantastic job with their design… More »
Why Content Marketing Is Like an Oatmeal Cookie Recipe, Part II
The Silicon Valley Brand Forum (led by our very own Kevin Heney) was held October 22, 2013 at the Google campus in Mountain View, CA. The theme of this Forum was Aligning Content Strategy with Brand Strategy, a very hot topic right now. In the prior post, I talked about how Quaker oats and other consumer… More »
Why Content Marketing Is Like an Oatmeal Cookie Recipe, Part I
As I was emptying out the end of the massive Costco package of oatmeal into our oatmeal container (yes, honey – we did use it all!), I noticed the famous Quaker Vanishing Oatmeal Raisin Cookie recipe on the bottom of the box. My next thought was that I should make some of those cookies soon…. More »
Latest Facebook Redesign: Implications for Your Facebook Content Strategy
Constantly implementing new ideas and directions, the latest Facebook redesign was done with the intent of positioning Facebook as a personalized newspaper. These changes have important ramifications for your content strategy. With a strong emphasis on visual content, Facebook has made changes to create subfeeds within categories, as well as allowing larger images since, time… More »
Know Your Users: Simple Features Make the Difference
In web design, as in life, sometimes the smallest gesture can make the biggest impact. I was recently asked by a Board member of the nonprofit, Center for Domestic Peace to help them with their brand strategy. So first thing I did was look up their website (like 90% of people). What struck me the… More »
Facebook Content Strategy: Why Being Smart Is Better than Being Big
In contrast to the truly uninspired Pepsi Facebook strategy we reviewed last week, a small nonprofit here in the Bay Area, is doing something very interesting and increasing fan engagement at the same time. Probably not a coincidence! In the spirit of transparency, this nonprofit is a ThinkResults client but we did not come up… More »
Facebook Content Strategy: Why Pepsi Has It All Wrong
At the risk of getting slammed by the Pepsi brand team, I just have to point out that being a big brand and having a big budget doesn’t always equal smart. The Pepsi Facebook strategy is … lame. There’s no other way to describe it. Here are a few representative posts: Tuesday, January 15 Saturday,… More »