New Zealand Director Taika Waititi gave a short talk about creativity at TedxDoha. While his talk may seem like rambling, his insights into creativity are priceless – if you can find them. Creativity lies in the combination of seemingly unrelated, or never related before, subjects. It also lies in the absurd. The talk is about 18 minutes. Three highlights are below the video.
Continue readingThe Journey to Better Marketing: Networking Goals
When you decide to start networking, the first thing you need to do is to make a networking plan with goals. The first goal should be centered on how many events you plan on attending in a month; a minimum should be two, but more is definitely acceptable.
Continue readingThe Journey to Better Marketing: Business Networking
The hardest part about networking is understanding the difference between it and socializing. While some socializing is networking, networking isn’t always socializing. According to “Guerrilla Marketing in 30 Days (affiliate link)”, networking is making contacts to establish relationships that lead to business, often through referrals. Networking isn’t about doing business, unless you happen to run into someone who fits your target market exactly. Instead, it’s about forming relationships that will lead to a referral for your business.
Continue readingStories from an Alaskan Cabin: Chapter Eight
“How do I follow that up?’ asked John.
“Remember, it’s not a competition. We’re telling stories to pass the time. They should be in some way harmonious with each other,” said George.
Continue readingNew Zealand: A Short Survey of New Zealand Destinations – On First Look
At roughly 1600 km long (990 miles), New Zealand’s two islands are about the length of a third of the continental United States. That’s a nice drive in America of about 18 hours depending on which states you go through and the maximum speed limit. I have been told that’s not the case in New Zealand. The roads aren’t highways. They tend to wind and have lower speed limits. The other impediment to drive time is the ferry. It may not run in inclement weather, and of course, it only departs at certain times of the day. The cost is also something to consider. I was told around $200 NZ for a car and two passengers.
With all of this in mind, choosing destinations for New Zealand is going to depend on what we really want to see – not the road or the inside of a car – and what we can get to comfortably. Personally, I don’t necessarily want to spend my time driving at all. On the other hand, my second hand knowledge has said that public transportation doesn’t exist, and the buses that go between towns take even longer than cars.
Continue readingThe Journey to Better Marketing: Advertising
Advertising takes patience. The statistics say that people notice one in nine ads; the rest are tuned out. If it takes seven times for them to remember the ad and 10 times for them to buy something based on the ad, you’re going to need repetition, consistency, focus, and positioning to be successful. You’ll need to run the same ad 90 times before someone buys something based on the ad – assuming you’re hitting your target market. This is an estimated average. Some people may buy before then, and the same number of people may buy with more ads. Still, if you aren’t prepared to run 90 or more ads, save your money for something else until you are ready.
“Advertising is reminding. Once is not enough,” according to “Guerrilla Marketing in 30 Days (affiliate link).” The reason why large, well-known brands like Coca Cola and McDonald’s continue to advertise is to remind their market about the love they have for the product. Each commercial reinforces the ardor of the fans and works to convert others to the brand. Coca-Cola needs to remain people that “It’s the Real Thing.”
Ads need to be brief and compelling. “Got milk?” “Just do it.” “I’m lovin’ it.” “The quicker-picker upper.” “Where’s the beef?” “They’re great!” None of these messages is overly complicated, and I bet you know which products or companies they are advertising.
People will see your ad before they see you; it becomes your identity. Make sure that it accurately reflects your business and how you want to be perceived.
Advertising won’t be your only expense. It works best in conjunction with other marketing communication tools.
Different media have different personalities and cater to different kinds of people. Make sure you’re choosing the media that best suits your brand.
Adapted from “Guerrilla Marketing in 30 Days (afilliate link).”
Speakers’ Club October 2019: Halloween
Rules:
Chip and Dale Rescue Rangers:
The History of Halloween:
Costumes
Trick-or-Treat: 1930s – Give us candy or we play a trick on you.
Candy: Candy Corn, Candy Bars, Coins, Popcorn Balls, Apples, Toothbrushes, Comic Books.
Bobbing for apples, apple on a string
Lollipop ghosts
Pumpkins as jack-o-lanterns
Horror films
Haunted Houses
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!
The Skeleton Dance:
Donald Duck Trick or Treat:
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
Monster Mash
Nightmare on My Street
War of the Worlds:
New Zealand: A Short Survey of New Zealand Penguins
Penguins are funny creatures. As my wife says they often look like they are running to hug you. My second favorite penguins are from the movie “Mary Poppins, and that’s where I got the idea as a penguin for my creativity mascot. Those penguins deliver fun, service and a dance-off with Dick Van Dyke before it was a thing. (Who would win in a dance off: the Mary Poppins penguins or Starlord?) From there, it was a short step to our stuffed penguins.
There is only a small group of penguins in the Galapagos Islands that live north of the equator in the wild. All of the other wild penguins in the world live south of the equator. Of the 18 or 19 species penguins in the world, New Zealand is home to three: the korora, the hoiho, and the tawaki. Knowing that, we, of course, are going to schedule some time to try to find some penguins in the wild. (We hear they are smelly, but we don’t care. They just look like fun to hang around near!)
Continue readingNew Zealand: A Short Survey of New Zealand Foods
On “Gordon Ramsey: Uncharted,” Chef Ramsey visits Chef Monique Fiso in New Zealand to see how Maori cuisine gets combined with fine dining. He chops his way through the forest to get to “bush asparagus.” His mouth burns with the flavor of horopito, a bush pepper tree. He scales a Fuschia tree to get to the bright purple berries.
I don’t think we’ll have to go to those extremes if we get to New Zealand. The country is full of food delights and local cuisine.
Continue readingPenguin of the Month: Penny and the Pumpkins
My wife’s parents grew a lot of pumpkins in their garden. Penny helped harvest them!
What’s your favorite pumpkin food? Penny likes pumpkin pie and pumpkin cookies with cream cheese frosting.
Penguinate! Positive Creativity 