Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications

NAMA & Renze of Omaha

Yesterday I spent the day with our client, Calcium Products. (More on that in a future post about agency/client relations.)  While most of the day was spent talking ideas,  future marketing plans and making site visits to customers, Craig Dick and I took a side trip to Omaha and attended a NAMA(National Agri-Marketing Association) meeting in Omaha at Renze Display. (Doug Buchanan - right)

WOW...

Our host, Doug Buchanan, took us through the Renze facility where we had the opportunity to examine new trade show display designs, learn about new technology that allows printing on just about any surface and see what is new and changing in the trade show industry.

Oh the possibilities...

We saw displays that rival many of our clients total annual marketing budgets and we saw new display ideas that make it look like we've spent the entire budget, at just a fraction of the cost.  (Like larger than life products from a one time display from last year...that's a 6' fall Redi Whip container!) There was no lack of new ideas.  In the end, Doug handed out a booklet with suggestions and reprints from Exhibitor Magazine.  In it are many of the same thoughts we've written and spoken about during our business radio show, Insight on Business.  Here is an example from last year, "Four Seconds To Impact!"

In the end...it was a great show and a wonderful eye opening adventure.  Now...if only folks will listen...

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications where you can follow us on Twitter - @MichaelLibbie or @InsightADV - One more thing...we found it interesting that a national marketing group is having to give lessons on social media to it's members.  What's up with that?  Oh my...welcome to new technology and new communication.

 

 

 

 

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...

Sunday Morning Coffee, Mad Men & More - August 16, 2009

Sunday Morning Coffee is a bunch of random thoughts, some personal and business that deal with our world.  If you are looking for hard-core business, advertising or marketing items...today isn't the day.  Check back tomorrow.  For now, settle back, grab a cup of coffee and let's visit.

This is the first weekend of the Iowa State Fair for 2009 and a quick look at the numbers indicate attendance is down a bit from last year.  The economy?  Maybe.  The weather?  Perhaps.  Division?  Hmmmm....  Over the past couple of weeks on Twitter and on Broadcast radio stations here in Des Moines I've noticed a greater number of people, who apparently consider themselves too chic and way too patrician to stoop to the level of being considered "fair-goers".  That's really too bad because the Iowa State Fair is an amazing blend of all the wonderful and weird that is Iowa.  That the Fair draws a million people in a state with only three million souls is an accomplishment.  Least we remind the "oh so cool"  the economic impact to Des Moines helps them too...

Speaking of "oh so cool" tonight (9PM Central)on AMC is the season debut of Mad Men.  We profiled a bit of the show on our daily radio program, Insight on Business this past Friday.   Did you know that of basic cable original series, Mad Men draws the highest percentage (49%) of viewers 25 - 54 who make $100,000 plus?  Is it any wonder that BMW signed on as the sole sponsor for this episode?

"Follow me" replacing "Friend me"?  -  Facebook and Twitter are both used by social media marketers but, by some metrics, Twitter is more popular in the marketing world.  e-Marketer had this review and the numbers.  Good reading.  Notice too that the vast majority of companies incorporate Twitter and a BLOG.  We think that's smart and something you should consider.  The "tweet" gets the word out there while the "blog" explains it.  (OK...I couldn't help throwing in something of marketing value!)

Our son-in-law, Chase, is a pilot currently serving in Afghanistan.  We hear from him often and like other parents, family and friends of all our service men and women we think of him daily and keep them in our prayers.  Here he is (far right) with two of his crewmen.  Not sure the ball cap is regulation....hmmm.

Finally, I wrote a "Letter to the Editor" which was published today in the Des Moines Register.  It has to do with the 2010 Iowa Caucus and that both the Iowa GOP and the Iowa Democrats made it a point to schedule the 2010 Iowa Caucus on a Saturday.  We said when it was announced it was a poor idea.  We also think it's so silly that people can comment on news stories or opinion without being identified.  We believe this policy further inflames and gives voice to irresponsible behavior.  Just what we need in our increasingly divided world huh?  What do you think?  (By the way, the comments are great.  It's amazing how little people know about their faith...and others.)

Thanks for reading!  You can follow us on Twitter, @MichaelLibbie or @InsightADV and learn more about our full service advertising agency at www.InsightCubed.com.  Have a great Sunday and we'll catch you later.

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

Social Media Meant NOTHING...Until...

Last week my son and I traveled from Des Moines to Red Oak (pop 5,754) to do a social media seminar for the Western Iowa Tourism Region.  The region is large...very large...stretching from north of Sioux City to well south of Council Bluffs and from  Council Bluffs east to within 30 miles of Des Moines.  About 80 folks came to learn about social media and how it can help any business connect and get found.  We had a great time and I think, once they witnessed the power of social media in a very personal way...they too enjoyed the day. 

This is Leah Guffey Banister and her husband Sgt. Banister (who is currently in Iraq).   Leah lives and works in Springfield, Illinois for the convention and visitors bureau.  She is a former Farm Broadcaster.

Leah and I "follow" each other on Twitter.  Me = @RuralLifeRadio and Leah = @Farmerspice.  When I posted a week ago that I was headed to Red Oak for this seminar she responded with a note that Red Oak was one of her favorite places and that she had so many fond memories about her grandparents, Jack "Buford" Guffey and Betty (Wigg) Guffey (pictured). "They are buried in Nyman", she told me.  "But, I have two aunts still living there, Mary Guffey and Martha Guffey Heckert."

So, when doing the seminar last week I got on Twitter and asked for folks to shout back.  Up until now most of the people in the seminar saw, I believe, little to no value in Twitter.  Until Leah "came back" and offered a shout out and used her aunt's names, Mary Guffey, Elizabeth Guffey and Martha Guffey Heckert. 

Right away several people in the audience gasped.  "Oh my!  I know those people!", said one.  Another, "They come to the Red Coach Inn all the time for dinner!"

And, so the personal connection was made. And when Leah mentioned that her favorite house in Red Oak was on North 4th Street the people watching this projected conversation, who knew Red Oak, nodded in agreement.

The connection was made and Twitter meant something.  No doubt we'll be seeing more folks in Western Iowa on Twitter and other social media as they work toward improving our Rural Economy by encouraging people to come and experience the beauty of Western Iowa.

 

 

 

 

You're Right! Social Media Is NOT For You!

It seems I spend lots of time talking about social media with people who continue to think it means nothing and has no future.  So, for the benefit of those of you who think this is bunk.  I agree!  What follows are quotes from the many conversations I've been in with people who think they know better.  It makes for a great self administered quiz.  If you want to...run through these real world comments.  If you agree with the quote, give yourself a point.  If you disagree you get a zero.    Scoring is below.   Ready?  Let's go!

1. "I see no value in Twitter.  I mean why would anybody care if I had a double latte this morning at Starbucks!"  Yes = 1 Point  No = 0
2. "Facebook and MySpace are for kids who either want to "hook up" or creepy old men looking for an 18 year old...  I say, Stay off and Stay Safe!"  Yes - No

3. "I've seen Twitter and I am not impressed, who cares what I am doing every minute of every day?"  Yes - No

4. "Look, I'm about SELLING not about talking!"  Yes - No

5. "But, being on Twitter or Facebook is putting our business at risk of being talked about."  Yes - No

6. "My kid said that Facebook is for them and not a place for adults."  Yes - No

7. "Why would I want to talk to kids?  My customers are adults!"  Yes - No

8. "I've heard that people surf social media and find out things we don't want everybody to know."  Yes - No

9. "OK, but if we do this Mary, our office manager, will handle it."  Yes - No

10. "You mean I'd have to do this every day?"  Yes - No

11. "Our IT Department said it would take weeks to set up a blog and they just don't have the time."  Yes - No

12. "Our IT Department said there was no way they could make Twitter work with our website."  Yes - No

13. "Our IT Department said this is a waste of time.  If people want to know about us they can go to our Website."  Yes - No

14. "But, you want me to use my REAL name?"  Yes - No

15. "Our Board of Trustees took a vote.  None of them have every heard of this social media stuff.  We're not going to bother."  Yes - No

16. "Our consultant said it would be much better for us to increase our direct mail program."  Yes - No

17. "Blog?  Blog?  What kind of a thing is that?"  Yes - No

18. "We're not interested in this.  We have a Customer Service Department that calls people who are behind on their payments."  Yes - No

19. "We've got a firm company policy about not allowing our employees to play on the computer."  Yes - No

20. "We'll get back with you on this.  We need to run it past our Customer Care Committee."  Yes - No

There you go!  Have fun.  Oh, the scoring: 

• If you score three points or less - Call me. 
• If you score 4 to 10 call me and I'll refer you to my worst enemy. 
• If you score 11 to 15 points unplug your computer...now. 
• If you scored more than 15 points see if you can find a "Closed" sign, put it up and head to a warmer climate.

Thanks for reading and playing along.  You can follow us on Twiter @InsightAdv or @MichaelLibbie (your choice) and if you would like more information about us including our daily business radio show head to our site, www.InsightCubed.com

Wandering Charleston

I'm in Charleston with the Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association Summer Board Meeting.  My goal...as it has been for several years is to learn, contribute and perhaps field a client or two.  After all that's what we do...help folks sell more of what they make. 

Today was a short day with little in the way of "official" business.  So, I wandered the area near our hotel, The Charleston Place.  If you are coming here to check out the wisdom of marketing and advertising there isn't much today.  However something must be here for people to brave the high temps and higher humidity.  Why would folks come here in the summer??? 

Have a look around.  Each photo can be enlarged with a click.  Just around the corner from the hotel is Meeting Street.  Shop after shop after shop.  Business today seemed brisk.  People in town for Freshman Orientation for the College of Charleston.  This is Williams Sonoma (stop me before I max out the card!) a favorite in an old theater.

And, I know how boring it is to watch "somebody's" slide show or photos...but humor me a bit.

There is a message at the end.

On the right is the entrance fo a church.  A Unitarian Church...what is interesting is that around all of the churches I saw...there are the old graveyards.  Lacking space like we do, the church just buried the folks "on site".  What a hoot come Halloween.

Down in this section of Meeting Street, in the opposite direction of The Collage of Charleston, are a series of antique shops.  Now, antiques here tend to be a bit different than antiques in Iowa.  Old here dates back to the 1700's.  I was in buildings, still used along Market Street, that were built 25 years BEFORE Iowa became a state.

Market street runs into Broad Street.  This seems to be the professional section of the Old City.  Plenty of law offices.  I had to muse a bit...wondering in which set of suites the South Carolina Governor's wife may have visited before trying to work it out...with the "wandering head of state".  (Side bar:  Just what the heck was he thinking anyway?)

Row after row of very old homes turned into offices and upscale lunch and dinner places.  Horse drawn cabs, trolleys and peddle-cabs seem to be a favorite mode of transportation in the Old City.  (Side bar:  How these guys wear SUITS, dark yet, during the summer here is beyond me.  Give me flowing robes or something..yikes!) A word about the horses, I was told by one of the guys I visited with that the ASPCA or city or somebody will not let the horses work when it gets hot.  How hot does it have to be?  Don't know but I was glad I wasn't pulling around a bunch of folks!

I walked down a street off Broad and came on this cross street paved in cobble stone.  Check the private home.  All along the side streets these two and three story narrow homes are bunched together.  Nobody has to worry about mowing the lawn here.  But, watch your footing.  A guy could sprain an ankle on these things.  But...charming?  You bet!

So...the marketing message here has got to be the word "charming".  We've seen that floated around in number of uses...but this place has it.  There can be NO OTHER reason to head here in the summer but...people do.  I spoke to folks from all over this country and others who were just as amazed in the character of the area.

And...the city works the "look".  Not every home is well painted and spiffy...but, you can forgive that because the look fits into the texture of the community.  Lot's of fun and thanks for indulging me just a bit.  Now...back to work!

 

 

Small Business & Customer Service - A Myth?

Early this week Todd Razor from The Des Moines Business Record was a guest on our radio show, Insight on Business.  (Here is the link from that day.)  Todd is the Online Editor for the company that produces that product and others.  He was a great interview.

His online offering today for Iowa Biz had to do with poor customer service among small business owners.  It was written by another friend Tom Vander Well.  Good stuff.

Poor customer service is something we've written about many times.  We also get to counter those stories when we receive good service...however, those articles are few and far between.

But, poor customer service among small business owners?  Yep.  I have, over my career, spent hours in small business meetings where I hear owners moan and groan about the "Big Box Stores" or "Corporate Stores" taking away their business.  How often have I been in a Chamber meeting where this is a topic of some discussion?  They complain to their associations, legislators and just about everybody else.

But, the fact remains that too many small (and large) business leaders who produce poor customer service seem to be unaware of what is really hurting them.  Look, most of us, just like Tom says in his article, WANT to do business locally.  But so often it's impossible. 

So, today...quit whining and perhaps put some polish on how and what you do.  Gather your people together and remind them who they really work for.  And, if you need a shot in the arm...call us.  Shucks, it's better than letting folks walk out of the door...never to return.

Let's do business...and service who is really Number One.  The rest will follow.

Thanks for reading...you can learn more about our advertising agency by heading to our site, www.InsightCubed.com, follow us on Twitter @MichaelLibbie and join our daily radio show, Insight on Business.  Here is the link to the daily Show Page.

 

 

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. 

 

Southwest Airlines & Twitter - A "How to Use" Guide

On Friday I sat with business executives from several states as the Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association (FEMA) - Supplier Board of Governors met here in Des Moines.  It was great to have them here and give me a chance to show off our city.  (That's Vernon Schmidt, light blue shirt, from the FEMA office, go ahead click on the photo to see...we'll wait, talking business with us.  Thanks for coming by Vernon!)

Part of what we talked about centered on Social Media and why we encourage our clients to use things like Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn.  To a person, the folks in this meeting thought I was speaking a foreign language and, as typical of many business types, waved off social media as a waste of time.

That's ok...it happens.  And, it's NOT for everybody.  However, when it's done and done well, people notice.  Enter Southwest Airlines.

I've been following @SouthwestAir for sometime.  It's a pretty gutsy move to lay a company like this out to the public.  And, I'm sure they don't RT (Re-Tweet) or pass along ALL the comments.  But, from what I've seen, these folks "get it" and "use it" very well.

It starts right with their PROFILE:  "Airplanes can't type so @Christi5321 is responding/chatting with you."  Did you catch that?  A person, who is part of Southwest who also has a Twitter account is the person responsible, for this shift at least, for the conversation.  Very cool.  The 31,592 people that are following @SouthwestAir now know that a REAL person is reading and responding.

The conversation goes from, "WOW, hit the jackpot we're flying WiFi and with the Rapping Flight Attendant.  How cool!" to , hints like, "On a full SWA flight sit in row 1, row 9 or row 16 and be first for drinks."  And, no these notes are not from @SouthwestAir they are from customers!

Talk about "buy in"!

And...Southwest Air doesn't just ignore people and have a one way conversation they follow nearly 8,000 folks who "Tweet".  Now we're talking conversation.

And, that's what this is all about.  Instant feedback on your product or service.  Instant market research.  Instant attention and a "hotline" to the company.

Twitter can be used very badly...or very well.  Congrats Southwest!

Michael Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications where you can see our work at www.InsightCubed.com and follow us on Twitter, @MichaelLibbie