This is the first post written here at MarketingInProgress.com since May 31.
For those of you keeping score, you know that’s not normal. I typically pump out at least three posts a week. Even during “slow” times, I’m getting at least one new post out the door a week.
But I went 0 for June and July, and I loved it.
As much as I love what social media has brought to the table in terms of publishing, marketing, communicating, connecting and all that implies, I have to admit: sometimes I just get sick of it. Sometimes the last thing I want to do is check my Twitter account, or write a new post. There are times to forge ahead and still make it happen, no doubt. But there are other times, like June and July for me, when you should just let it go.
How did we do anything before the app? It blows my mind just how simple a concept apps are, and yet how profoundly their use, mostly due to Apple’s iTunes, iPhone and iPad platforms, has changed daily life for many of us.
So I thought I’d share my favorite apps, especially those that I use in some form or fashion to help with marketing stuff. I’m skipping the obvious ones like Google, Facebook and the Weather Channel, too.
I ran across these four great posts over the past couple weeks, mostly centered around social media and its implementation. Enjoy.
You are someone’s expert, and someone’s student.
You are someone’s hero, and someone’s enemy.
You are coveted by some, and pitied by others.
You are targeted by some, and ignored by others.
It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.
- Charles Darwin
Guess what: TV ad spending is back on the rise. And so is TV viewing. What’s that mean in a world where the web is supposed to make TV all but obsolete?
As I was walking through a local department store, I stopped as this sippy cup caught my eye. I hope you see the humor in it as I did! I’m sure you can tell right away why it has been placed on the clearance side of the aisle. Okay, I had to pick up the cup, open it, check inside, and see if the top of the cup could be rotated to a more “acceptable” position. And, of course, it could not.
As I peeked around the corner, I saw another shelf filled with a well-known male character, but quickly noticed its straws were pointing in a different direction…and no, regardless of how I tried to turn its top, it would not set in the same position.
In May 2010, I had the chance to join an interesting panel at the Big Design Conference here in Dallas. I was joined by some great folks from the American Heart Association and the Boy Scouts of America (non-profits), as well as a director from Sabre (for profit). I helped round out the for-profit side, and Ben Smithee from Spych Research coaxed us along.
Anyway, the point was to figure out what we could learn from each other. How can large companies leverage leaner operational styles? How can small budgets still crank out great work? And where does passion fit into it all?
At the beginning.
Technology shouldn’t matter at the beginning of your planning stage. This is where a lot of people screw things up. An idea is sparked, and everyone immediately jumps to what technology can currently do.
Our system doesn’t work like that.
Those two things aren’t integrated.
Let’s make the Facebook Fan Page do this.
Here’s a simple question I’d love to get your input on:
What are you NOT doing that you know you should be?
This could have to do with your current job, your career goals, your family, your online presence, whatever. I’m personally in that phase of frustration and disgust at myself for not accomplishing more. I’d love some insights on what you’re dealing with yourself.
