Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications

Social Media for FEMA?

Three friends came to Atlanta to tell members of the Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association (FEMA) about Social Media.  Roughly 150 business people listened to Willie Vogt of Farm Progress, Tom Flynn and Josh Fleming from Lessing-Flynn , an ad agency in Des Moines, tell them about making sense out of Social Media.

I'm not sure it worked...I'll be able to let you know more following my session with them on Saturday.

I'm not sure it worked because while they were able to talk about it, they failed to show the power of social media.  I'd suggest that many in the audience would like to have you think they are from Missouri, "Show Me".  Show me what it looks like, how it works, how it can put me in touch with others.  Show me what people are saying about farming, farm machinery, farm safety, farmers.  Show me how to use it, show me how to set a Google watch on my company, my name...my future.

Show me...

Part of the overwhelming trouble with doing social media events and having digital generation folks do the event is...a failure to speak the same language.   This event was OK...but I'm not convinced they picked up many disciples.  We'll see...on Saturday.

Thanks for reading...from Atlanta - Michael Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications.  Follow us on Twitter @MichaelLibbie or @InsightADV

 

 

Blah Products = More Advertising?

It came to me during my daily radio show, Insight on Business, today.  I had read an article about why people advertise products and services.  And wondered, out loud, if the reason some folks have to advertise like crazy is because their product and service is...well...blah.

Think of it for a moment.  IF each time a customer came into contact with your product or service and his/her expectations were met or truly exceeded. Would you really have to advertise or would the word of mouth spread so fast that you wouldn't have to?

And this coming from an advertising agency guy.

Think about it...  Here in the Midwest we have a department store called Von Maur.  They rarely advertise.  Oh sure from time to time they will be in traditional media but not like other department stores.  Could it be the result of superior customer service and products?  Neither is boring...

So, what is the message?  If you have a commodity (boring) product or service that is just getting by you will have to increase your advertising buy.  However if your product or service always meets and exceeds your customer expectations...maybe you won't?

So, which is it?  Wanna share????

Sunday Morning Coffee - October 25

Sunday morning, time to grab a cup of coffee and talk over the events of the past week and look forward a bit to the coming seven days.   Not much advertising and marketing news today...just a visit.

Iowa Wins!  Now THE University of Iowa is 8 - 0 first time in school history.  An exciting final two seconds.  Whew............

Friday I attended an event called Highlight Midwest.  135 business start-ups, entrepreneurs and "tech-geeks" registered for this gathering held at the Des Moines Social Club.  The presenters did their work in small groups with up to four presentations going at the same time.  It was...interesting, grungy, and hopeful.  I went to watch and learn and see what it would be like to be the oldest guy in the room.  And, I was until Senator Chuck Grassley strolled in.  Senator Grassley isn't a stranger to these type of events.  (Twitter in hand he is admired by this group of 30-somethings and I think the feeling is mutual.)  Look for more of these events as young, very bright, people attempt to build technology businesses from...ideas.  One such start-up is Silicon Prairie News - something for the "creative class".

Last week I "went off" on Governor Chet Culver's office.  Here is that story.  This weekend I got to thinking about Michigan. Governor Jennifer Granholm presides over a state with 17% unemployment and a budget train wreck.  It's much worse than Iowa.  Yet, Granholm is "out there" talking to the folks in Michigan and using technology @GovGranholm to reach voters. While her approval rating is hovering around 40% we're thinking her communication efforts keep her from dipping lower.  We'll see, but our wish is that the staff in Governor Culver's office step aside and quit filtering his message.  (Gov. Granholm is not running due to term limits.  I erred in saying she could be re-elected during the radio show on Friday.)

It's all your fault!  Or so hints Electrolux.  The Swedish company is closing two Iowa plants and cutting 850 jobs over the next year.  It seems that YOU are not buying enough washers and dryers so they are closing shop in Iowa and taking the manufacturing to Mexico.   Ahhhh...let's see...so in Mexico they will be making fewer washers and dryers or cheaper washers and dryers?  Won't matter to the 1,850 Iowans who have lost Electrolux jobs since 2006.  Maybe if Iowa workers were paid $10 a day they might stay?  Adios Electrolux...here is the story from the Des Moines Register.

I'm feeling a bit "snarky" this morning...

Is saying, "illegal aliens" hate speech?  That seems to be the notion among many.  "They" tell me we should be saying, "undocumented workers".   But the question remains, "Is the person here legally or illegally?"  Are they "working" or "not working"?  Are they native to this country or "alien" to this country?  I'm no "Rush" fan...but can somebody explain this to me?  Honest...I'd like to try to understand.

Tax groceries?  In Iowa there is no tax on groceries.  Some have suggested a 1% tax on food would, in a matter of months, correct the state's budget deficit.  Others have suggested Iowa should bring back "touch play" gambling, something the state pulled the plug on two years ago after the machines were placed nearly everywhere other than high school hallways.  Of the two...we'd opt for groceries.  But, it is an election year so expect more inaction than action.

Gotta leave on a positive note... 

This coming week a flurry of activity prior to heading to Atlanta for the Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association Fall Meeting.  During a new session we'll be there to help members understand, sign up and start to use social media.  Should be fun.

Speaking of social media you can keep up with us by using Twitter - @MichaelLibbie or @InsightADV for those of you in the rural world we also monitor @RuralLifeRadio.  A quick reminder of our daily business radio show, Insight on Business part of Des Moines Local...LIVE and on the air Monday - Friday starting at 12:30PM Central.

Thanks for reading...let's' stay in touch?

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

Branding, Talk Radio, Government

Hi.  Just before the weekend hits thought we'd share with you the radio show from today.  Monday - Friday starting at 12:30PM Central we do a show called, Insight on Business.  Now with over 30,000 listeners/viewers each day, Des Moines Local...LIVE is becoming something really special.

Today on the show we talked about branding, marketing the Midwest, how staff can get in the way of a brand and tradeshows with @TheBrandWarrior, Mark True.  Here's the show, enjoy!

 

Does Staff Get In The Way?

Staff are an important part of any business.  They are the "water carriers" of business.   They are the men and women who carry the corporate brand.  They are the warriors in the trenches and they can do more harm than good...if they don't understand the brand or the company.  (We don't do politics...but this one was too good to pass by.)

Case in point - The State of Iowa and the Governor of Iowa.  Governor Chet Culver last week told the citizens that he was going to take a 10% pay cut, reducing his pay from $130,000 by $13,000.  It was, he said, his way of showing that he too was not above the budget woes the state is going through.

Almost before his words hit the paper staff members were "correcting" what the "governor meant".  That, really, it was not fair to cut salary "retroactively" so rather than a 10% cut the governor was really going to cut his own salary by 5.8%.

HUH?  (Here is the Des Moines Register story from today.)

Note to Phil Roeder, John Frew and others.  Shut up.   Let the Governor of the State of Iowa tell us.  For months you guys continue to bobble, shuck and jive and you  make "The Big Lug" seem like he doesn't have a clue.  Note to Governor Culver:  You might start saving money by asking those in your office who continue to screw up to leave.  We can understand what you say, when you say it.  Talk to us...and not through them.  K? 

Sorry...it just makes me crazy.  Doesn't matter, business or politics:  If the staff doesn't "get it" the brand takes a hit.

Thanks for reading...

Michael P. Libbbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications where you can keep up with us on Twitter - @MichaelLibbie or @InsightADV

 

 

 

 

It's Spooky Out There...

In the advertising and marketing business we get lots of messages about some wonderful "new" way to make  money...by not working.

We've never found the "magic bullet".  That is not to say that some have not found a way to make piles of money by not working.  But, sadly it's these people who are making their money on the backs of unsuspecting people.  The scam artists...

The other day I got a Tweet from a person telling me that Google is hiring "everybody who has a computer and an internet connection!"  The link was a classic scam, "As seen on TV, thousands can now work from home for Google.  Just have a computer and..."

In these times of economic troubles thousands fall prey to scams like this.  The money side?  In the "come on" it tells you to sign up and send in just $2.  However in the fine print the "mark" has just agreed to have the scam artist remove up to $80 a month from their bank account.  That these scams are rife on social media sites doesn't mean that social media is a bad choice.  It simply means that dishonest people lurk "everywhere".

Which begs the original question, "When was the last time you had to pay somebody to hire you?"

Be careful out there...

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications where you can keep up with us on Twitter - @MichaelLibbie or @InsightADV - Thanks for reading!

To Blog or Not to Blog - Mike Sansone

Many of you know that Insight Advertising does a daily business radio show, Insight on Business (catchy name huh?).  We're on Monday - Friday on Des Moines Local...LIVE now a broadcast group approaching 50 broadcasters delivering more locally produced talk radio to this market (and yours) than any of the landbased stations...combined.

On the show today we featured the "Don" of the Blog World, Mike Sansone.  We talked about why 54% of U.S. Business prevents their employees from accessing social media while at work and why (fear is a great motivator).  We visited about who should and who should not blog and we talked about best practices and the dangers of Chief Information Officers...  Here is the show...enjoy!

Click Here to View the Show from today...

We All Forget...

Our job here is never to cause pain to anybody.  Our job is to share with you marketing and advertising reality and maybe you can pick up some ideas for your business  That is what this post is about.

The other day a person called me and asked if they could come over to the office.  They had a question.  Now...I know this person and she's fun and who knows what was up.  She comes in and hands me this bright orange bag.  Here is the front or the back of the bag.

"So, Michael...what do you this of this direct marketing effort?  A guy stopped by our business and was handing them out."

So...I looked at the bag.  Nicely made, bright colors...  But, at first I was drawn to the logo that I think is on both sides.  One is giving me the message that the printer uses eco friendly things (I think) and the other side had the big "H" for the name of the company.

But...now YOU look...see something?  And, no it's not miss-spelling.

There isn't any contact information.  ZERO.  No website location, no phone number...heck I'm not even sure where they are from.  And, that is the point of this post.  Here is a printing company...that gives you a reason to buy from them...but doesn't leave you the information to make contact.

While it's a simple mistake...what does it, in the end, say about the Brand?

Nothing...or worse.

Thanks for reading.  You can follow us on Twitter @MichaelLibbie or@InsightADV and learn more about us on our site, www.InsightCubed.com.

 

Some Thoughts on "Amazing" Billy...

This has been a very, very weird week. 

Ed, Farah and Michael (all who were deeply involved in marketing and advertising) were, on Sunday morning, joined by the Uber-Pitchman, Billy Mays.  I had finished my Sunday morning radio show and went directly to the airport and jumped on a plane headed for Dallas and then on to Charleston.  Once at DFW I was checking Twitter and learned of his death, just a few hours earlier.

What was really odd is that in the June edition of the American Airlines magazine there was an article about Mays...and I had just finished reading it before arriving in Dallas.

Love him or loath him...he was truly amazing (Ah Mayzing!!)...  We liked him. 

For many advertising agency types Billy was like fingernails on a chalkboard.  He wasn't polished, wasn't hip...he just "sold stuff".  And that's why we liked him.  While others would make fun of Billy...he wasn't beyond making fun of himself.  Here is a video of him ordering McDonalds food and being...Billy.  It's a classic. And it was filmed this past April.

In an age when "pitchmen" were thought to be too...old fashioned and not hip...Billy found his mark and was ready to move on to other avenues...  But not now.  So, call us silly...but we'll miss Billy Mays the self taught, self motivated, King of the Pitch.  No more..."But there's more!!"

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications see our work or contact us at www.InsightCubed.com.  Use Twitter and follow us @MichaelLibbie.

Tuesday Morning With Elm Street

I'll be out of the office on Tuesday morning attending what is being called, by Citadel Radio Group of Des Moines a, "break through event about business".  It features a group known as Elm Street and Elm Street Economics.  We are told this seminar will help us "connect with consumers". Terry Peters the head of the Des Moines radio group has been telling people this thirty-dollar, half day seminar, is about building more business and there will not be a sales pitch offered at the event.

The Urbandale Chamber of Commerce is co-sponsoring the event.  Both groups have spent considerable time and effort pushing the meeting, which will be held at the Hotel Fort Des Moines.  (Why there and not in Urbandale...we're not sure....).  And how many folks will be there?  We think plenty...after all...there is the promise of a "magic bullet".  We'll let you know the numbers.

Here is our take...and we haven't yet been to the session that runs all morning long.

We believe, based on what we've written over the years, this program will share with you several important facts.  And remember, we've not been to the show.

• The Consumer is Changing - The public has come face to face with "needs" vs. "wants".  That means the person you are marketing to will not be moved with messages based on luxury.  The consumer today wants...value and trust.
• The Consistent Message- When you are in the face of an economic slump it's important that you keep the message in front of the consumer and keep "on message".  There are enough "changes" in the world.  The consumer needs a friend and if you are consistent..you are nearly there.  Build trust...see above.
• The Eyes Must be Open - You will not be able to influence today's market with yesterday's message.  It's not going to work.  You need to match your product or service to the trends.  And, those can shift...daily.
• The Stale Message - You can not impact the market with an old message.  What may have worked yesterday will not work today or tomorrow.
• Know your Customer - You can't take the chance and guess.  You need to know who and what your customer needs, and yes, still wants.  Then you create the message to match.  How do you learn "what"?  Pay attention to Social Media, the news, keep your eyes open.  The public is not really that hard to read.
• Connect with New Methods - Once upon a time there was radio, television and the newspaper.  Today if you are banking on those media outlets to help you thrive and survive...pack it in.  It's over.  You need to learn new ways to communicate with your customer base..do we hear a little social media here?

Once again...I've never heard the speech, never heard of "The Center for Sales Strategy", never heard of Mike Anderson.

It's just that our advertising agency, Insight Advertising, does this for our clients...every day.  We preach it to the masses and wherever two or more are gathered.  And, we've written about each one of these topics and more...for over three years.  Maybe they've been reading our stuff...or coming to our lectures?

Look, we're grateful they are bringing the show to Des Moines.  Honest.  More people need to be made aware of how to connect with the consumer.  But, then again...you can listen to our daily radio show, Insight on Business...for free.  We've been talking the same story...

So, we'll let you know what we find out...and pass those nuggets on to you.  In the meantime.  Keep working, learning and listening.  It could mean the difference between success and failure.  And...nobody wants that.  Failure that is...

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications.  See our work at www.InsightCubed.com where you can also connect with our radio shows.  And...follow us on Twitter, @MichaelLibbie.