Attack ads in politics are successful because they are much more interesting to watch than regular boring TV commercials. It’s true! We are attracted to things that are interesting, different and even controversial (i.e. Reality TV). That’s precisely why we were just subjected to perhaps the highest level of negative political advertising in history. If I told you … [Read more...]
Is Your Marketing Authentic?
Blog from Maribeth Kuzmeski of Red Zone Marketing Do you think politicians are authentic? How about financial advisors? What about the way you present your business? Do you take an approach that is genuine to who you are? Many people assume that their marketing has to be a hard push to get people to take action. Relying on tactics that strike fear in their audience … [Read more...]
Negativity Works…It Must!
Blog from Maribeth Kuzmeski of Red Zone Marketing I was in California last week and had the “pleasure” of listening to the horrifically negative political ads on TV. Most TV’s across the country are filled with these ads right now. The California Gubernatorial race serves as the perfect example of a political race that has put productive political discourse aside and … [Read more...]
More Isn’t Always Better
I’ve often heard – if we could only afford to send out more pieces of mail, have more events, do more advertising and marketing – then we would have everything! It seems logical, you do more to get more, but it isn’t always right. At Red Zone Marketing, we often roll out new products and offerings. In September we rolled out Red Zone University. We started in August by … [Read more...]
“Free” can get your clients going wild! But what’s in it for you?
Blog from Maribeth Kuzmeski of Red Zone Marketing If you create a surprising offer, people will pay attention. If you offer something of real value for free, people will listen (and oftentimes share with others). In fact, “free” can convert price shoppers into loyal clients. This is the model that online print company Vistaprint used to generate over $500 million in … [Read more...]
Killing Your Competition with (Client) Kindness
Five Core Principles for Turning Clients and Prospects into Raving Fans Once upon a time customer service meant more than pressing 2 to wait (and wait and wait) for “the next available representative.” Companies valued those who bought their goods and services and went the proverbial extra mile to make them happy. Today we’re more likely to hear about a company that’s … [Read more...]
Upgrading Performance Closes More Sales: Lessons learned from 14 year old hockey players
Performing at your highest level is difficult to do over and over again. It’s not your talent that fluctuates. You may alter and upgrade your game plan and knowledge level, but at the end of the day true high-level performance seems to be driven by something other than talent alone. I believe winning at the highest level, closing the biggest or the most sales, is based on … [Read more...]
Recession-Inspired Smart Changes to Your Business
I just want to be done hearing about - and living - this recession. All of the analogies, comparisons, sound bites, and talk. Most of the firms I know are getting down to business, marketing and focusing on their target market of prospects. But it is true that the recession is still here and there continues to be stories of businesses folding or becoming unrecognizable in … [Read more...]
Are you anxious about using social media in your business?
Blog from Maribeth Kuzmeski of Red Zone Marketing Should you be afraid of social media and the changes and consequences it may bring to your business? It opens your business to the scrutiny of the masses, making you instantly accessible and requires a consistent watch. It depends who you are and what business you are in, but in some cases social media can be a little … [Read more...]
Why do clients really leave you? It may not be what you think…
Blog from Maribeth Kuzmeski of Red Zone Marketing When a client is upset with you…when your spouse is angry at you…when your teenager is ranting about some way you’ve wronged her again… it very often is not what it appears to be. Yet, in our attempt to minimize conflict, we immediately react to the outburst and attempt to fix the problem they describe. But often, the … [Read more...]