I like to think of myself as a progressive, evolved male. Still, when I was assigned to write copy for Kotex, a feminine hygiene product, I had to dig deep into my writer’s tool box.
I tried put myself in the mindset of a pre-teen girl:
What are my hopes and desires? What are my greatest fears? How do I use a tampon??
Alas, in the end, my copy sounded, well, like it was written by a guy who doesn’t understand the mindset of a pre-teen girl.
So what does this have to do with you, the small business owner?
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(click to view video)
Happy Friday! Let’s all be humbled and awe-struck by this kid who’s way smarter than we’ll ever be. Innovators, take note!
Hubspot is one of our fav places for solid, consistent marketing advice.
Exhibit A: this piece by Corey Eridon on how small businesses can leverage social media to not just stay afloat, but beat out the big competition.
Eridon writes:
So how can you do it? How can you, the little guy, see wins in the search engines, in your lead flow, and in your revenue stream when faced with these giant competitors? With dedication to consistently following these 10 tips, you’ll come out on top with the kinds of big industry wins that you might never have dreamed were possible.
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Our Favorite Video Friday comes to us from Elizabeth Brown from Kansas City who plucked this gem. Beautifully shot, genius campaign. Communicating the brand and message of Dove exquisitely. We hope you enjoy as much as we did.
You’re a start up. You work long hours to hammer out a small business online marketing plan, and establish yourself in the digital space.
But burning the candle at both ends takes its toll, and there’s no time to get sick (let’s face it, that small business online marketing plan can’t make itself).
Meghan Somers of The Calgary Herald answers the question: How do you make sure you and your small, driven group stay well?
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In a lot of ways working in the digital space is very different from more traditional industries. One way in which it is NOT different is that teams needs to be healthy in order to succeed. For example, take a look the Startup space. Startups have small teams, and each member of that team is an essential cog in the machine of getting the day to day work done. When one person is out sick at a startup, it can throw whole projects off schedule.
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Design students Anna and Terese took on a giant challenge as an exam project and created something no one had done before. Bike enthusiasts, you’re gonna want to watch this short clip! It will BLOW your mind (pun intended).
(Click to image to view video)
In our last post, we covered brand identity and the power of storytelling. And what’s the best way to marry the two? Video.
But you, being a savvy business owner, might say, “There are SO MANY online marketing videos! How will mine stand out?!”
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Ever since blowing up in 2009, food trucks have been praised for their innovative cuisine and innovative business model. They’re considered a big success and an example for entrepreneurs.
To see how they built their brands, David Weber from Fast Company dot com interviewed two major players in LA’s food truck scene for his article, “Startup Lessons From The Food Truck Revolution.”
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In 2011, the mobile food industry in the United States was estimated to be at $630 million. I think this sum dramatically underestimates the size of the industry. I believe that the mobile food industry in New York City alone is at least $450 million. The National Restaurant Association stated in 2011 that food trucks are the single fastest growing sector of the restaurant industry.
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Anything that looks like a miniature, happy Chewbacca just has to be awesome—and sloths do not disappoint. For this week’s Fav Video Friday, we’re tickling your toes.
We all know poor branding when we see it. A business awkwardly tries to express itself and fails (New Coke, anyone? How bout the sweet grime of Harley Davidson perfume?).
Bad branding just smacks of soul-less pandering for money. So what does good branding look like? Continue Reading
You may have seen your friends change their profile picture to this photo on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc. If you’re wondering why, let me tell you why. The world is ready for a revolution, Marriage Equality. This is an issue that all of us at My Story Inc feel strongly about. We support Marriage Equality and if this video doesn’t convince you, I don’t know what will.
Marketing videos are key to your business. Let’s assume we’re all on the same page about that (and if you’re not – come on in! The water’s warm!). But what do you do with your video once it’s done? How do you get people to, you know, watch it?
For many small businesses and entrepreneurs, especially those who are new to online marketing, these are big-deal questions.
So here are a few basic guidelines you can follow to ensure your online marketing video doesn’t disappear into the internet ether:
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Not a creative visionary? Not a problem.
In Ernie Schenck’s great article, “Act Like a Creative Director, Think Like a Construction Worker,” he makes a case for why real geniuses see the big picture through the details. Good construction workers, for example, know that a structure hangs on its nuts and bolts.
Sounds simple, right? Then why is it so easy to feel daunted by the end game of a business plan or marketing strategy?
Schenck, via Communication Arts, has some good ideas for the small-step approach to greatness…
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I suspect Harry Potter never gave a second thought to becoming a creative director. There is a reason for this. The truly great creative directors aren’t sorcerers. They have no magic wands. No time turners. No invisibility cloaks. Nor are they geniuses. Or hard-ass taskmasters who think nothing of dressing down account people, planners, CMOs, CEOs or anyone else who dares to interfere with their manic and single-minded quest to generate awesome work.
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I dare you to NOT laugh… during her interview with Ellen, she said her dream was to do tutorials on Youtube and this mishap isn’t going to stop her! You still interested in her hair tips?
It’s worth a few viewings. Thanks for the laugh, fatherhood.gov.
April 2012: Los Angeles
She’s not afraid to get dirty
She’s got a bouquet of ideas
She’s a farmer in the city of Los Angeles
Learn more at Eden Condensed
Ellen A. Ensher, Ph.D. is a Professor of Management at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California, USA. Dr. Ensher has an established expertise in mentoring programs and career advice, and is a frequent key note speaker and workshop leader for conferences and public and private organizations around the world.
A successful decision leaves you with a sense of clarity and peace. Knowing how to make smart choices can be a great tool to achieve more joy at work and in your personal life. Who doesn’t want that? I know I did and still do.
I once learned from a wise mentor that all research is “me-search.” In other words, most people who research and write, regardless of the topic, probably have a story behind the story to tell, and a burning question to answer for themselves. Several years ago when my son was quite young, I reached a crossroads in my marriage that led to a whole series of big decisions and tough choices, not only personally but professionally as well.
My personal decision-making angst made me intensely curious about how to handle choices that positively impact our work lives and careers. I can’t say I always enjoyed my learning process but the knowledge I’ve received has helped me tremendously. Continue Reading
Smiles are nice. Cards are nice. Gifts are nice.
All the “standards” are nice–and all, at least in part, are somewhat expected.
If you really want to make someone’s day, do the unexpected. It’s not hard. Little things truly can go the longest way.
All it takes is a tiny bit of thought and a little effort:
Be thoughtful, simply because you can. Continue Reading
Angela Price, entrepreneur and founder of Eden Condensed is taking her business to Silverlake opening in March. As our guest contributor, Angela shares her lessons on growing her business while growing others gardens.
As Eden Condensed nears its 2nd anniversary, I want to also reflect on what has made my business grow like the gardens I so love to design and install. When I first started Eden Condensed after many years in the corporate world, I knew I wanted to turn a creative passion of mine (gardening) into a business. I knew I wanted to focus on small spaces; and I knew I wanted to my clients to have both beautiful and edible gardens, which would inspire them to use their urban/suburban outdoor spaces.
But that wasn’t enough. Like choosing the right plants for the space, I needed to understand who my customers are, who is right for the services and products I provide. I needed to understand and nurture my business, so it would grow properly. And I needed to learn from my mistakes. Just because you like a plant (or a person) doesn’t mean it’s always right for the garden (or the business). You need to use the right tools and know when it’s appropriate to cut away the dead wood. Continue Reading
September 2012: Los Angeles CA
Figuring out what to eat can be confusing. That’s why we’re here. Eating Made Easy is a trusted source of information about nutrition and food. This site answers your food questions, de-bunks nutrition myths, and provides practical tips to make healthy eating easier.
Find out more at http://eating-made-easy.com/
January 2012: Los Angeles CA
Jewish World Watch (JWW) is a leading organization in the fight against genocide and mass atrocities. Since its founding in 2004 based on Jewish experience and values, JWW has grown from a collection of Southern California synagogues into a global coalition that includes schools, churches, individuals, communities and partner organizations that share a vision of a world without genocide. Currently focused on the ongoing crises in Sudan and eastern Congo, JWW partners with on-the-ground organizations to develop high-impact projects that improve the lives of survivors and help build the foundation for a safer world, while inspiring our communities to support tangible projects and advocate for political change. Since its inception, JWW has raised more than eleven million dollars in pursuit of our mission, impacting our community and hundreds of thousands of people in Sudan and Congo.
Find out more at www.jewishworldwatch.com
June 2012: Orange County, CA
What does your business need? Create your Brand, Engage your Customers, Get Online. Deluxe no longer just makes your checks. They now help you “work happy”. Check it at www.deluxe.com
April 2012: New York and Los Angeles
What does a stay-at-home mom and wall street tycoon have in common? Sukey Novogratz and Jackie MacLeod, co-founders of The Well Daily believe wellness is for everyone, and they give it to you in bite size, easy to digest chunks. We’re all so busy, who has time to do it all anymore?
June 2012: Los Angeles
Whether or not you’re ready, your daughter’s first period is coming. Join the women of Momversation as they share their stories behind having “the talk”.
Find out more at http://www.kotex.com/NA/articles-info/my-daughters-period/pick-your-day/step-one
June 2012: Los Angeles
Whether or not you’re ready, your daughter’s first period is coming. Join the women of Momversation as they share their stories behind having “the talk”.
Find out more at http://www.kotex.com/NA/articles-info/my-daughters-period/pick-your-day/step-one
June 2012: Los Angeles
Whether or not you’re ready, your daughter’s first period is coming. Join the women of Momversation as they share their stories behind having “the talk”.
Find out more at http://www.momversation.com/tag/kotex
We’ve all experienced this on some level or another. What a powerful message to share with your kids. Love the music, pacing, & the cinematography.
So, sad but true. Have a laugh at the expense of those of us calling LA our home.
My favorite stories are told in film, by everyday people sharing their passion, their triumph, their joy and their sorrow. My intention is to create a space for others to share their essence for the world to experience, surrounded by the highest level of talent in film. These short, documentary-style films invite an audience into your life in unexpected, uncompromising ways. I believe we all have a story and mine is to help you tell yours.
