The Nailing Post

Jumbo your marketing brand

Thu, 24 May 2012 08:07:50 GMT

Many brands are words that have been made up by some clever marketer. What makes a brand name memorable? Take a look at the story behind the word "jumbo" and the basics of helping your market remember your name.

Paying attention to the details

Thu, 17 May 2012 07:27:59 GMT

Paying attention to details may be the difference in those who successfully pursue customers and those who don't. Take a lesson from a lawman and one of the most famous manhunts in American lore.

Dust storms: Politics and the economy

Wed, 09 May 2012 21:55:17 GMT

It is time to vote in politicians into office who understand the desperation of the times we live in and can get us back to sound business basics. Take a look at the latest Nailing Post.

Chasing the latest blowing wind: Corporate values

Thu, 03 May 2012 08:25:17 GMT

Do you know who you are as a company? A corporate values statement can help define who you are and the way you will operate. But how do you get past mere words and make corporate values a part of your company's soul? Read our latest Nailing Post.

Change of view: The change of video on mobile devices

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 08:07:36 GMT

There is a shift in the way video is being viewed on the web. What are your options for your old Flash videos? Take a look at our latest Nailing Post.

Planning for the hard stuff

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 07:37:56 GMT

Does your marketing plan for nice steady growth in sales or are you factoring in a few bumps in the road? The best marketing thinking comes with a contingency plan just in case the hard stuff comes your way... because the hard stuff will eventually come your way. Read our latest Nailing Post.

Sorting out the weeds

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 07:55:56 GMT

Not all marketing methods are created equally. Some are strong, proven ways to get the sales process moving and others are just weeds. Take a look at our latest Nailing Post.

Copyright: The Pompatus of Love

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 16:24:34 GMT

How much of another idea can you use before you have violated someone's copyright? How do you protect the phrases and creative content you use to describe your business? Read our latest Nailing Post.

The making of tradition

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 07:41:47 GMT

How do traditions get established, especially in your business? What do you do when your traditions clash with that of your customer? Take a look at our latest Nailing Post.

Closing the loop: Livingstone and Stanley

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 08:21:59 GMT

Curiosity can be a strong marketing tool. There is something about the human psyche that likes to close the loop on things that intrigue them. How can you build this into your marketing? Take a lesson from the search for Dr. David Livingstone in our Nailing Post.

Shortening the sales cycle

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 18:05:33 GMT

The demand on sales reps these days is to close the gap between first contact and signing a contract with the customer. Just because the boss says the sales cycle can be shortened in a bad economy doesn't mean it will work, will it? There are some marketing tools that you should be aware of that will help. Take a look at our latest Nailing Post.

The bridge between the great idea and the payday

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 08:03:26 GMT

Great ideas are plentiful. The difference between an idea and one that actually pays off in the end is effective marketing. Take a look at our latest Nailing Post.

Lessons from Leap Year

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 07:53:11 GMT

What happens when it is discovered that your business has been making little mistakes and, over time, it has now become a very big issue? How do you deal with the big issue to make it right? Learn a lesson from the origins of Leap Year.

Faking it: integrity in the electronic age

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 08:24:26 GMT

How does truth and lies impact marketing in the electronic age? In particular, how believable are your email marketing campaigns? Does integrity get a pass these days? Take a look at our latest Nailing Post.

Volatility and the survival of our times

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 08:10:49 GMT

114 years ago today, an explosion sank the U.S. Battleship Maine, creating a volatile situation that launched the Spanish American War. What happens to your company in the midst of a volatile business environment? What happens when the next economic explosion occurs? What marketing strategies are imperative if you are to survive? Take a look at our latest Nailing Post.

The Power of a Network

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 08:23:37 GMT

In today's electronic age, with all kinds of online social networks, does it make sense to build a face-to-face network in business anymore? It may be more important now than ever. Take a look at our latest Nailing Post.

Super Bowl Commercials: Entertainment or Marketing?

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 07:54:47 GMT

Are Super Bowl Commercials purely entertainment or are they effective marketing tools? What can you learn from these ads? Take a look at our Nailing Post and get a sneak peek at the new ads that are coming this Sunday.

The transparent company

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 07:59:35 GMT

There is more demand today than ever for corporations to expose their inner workings to the world, and that often gets delivered in a marketing message. Just how transparent is your company? How transparent should you be? What medium are you using to deliver the message? Take a look at our latest Nailing Post.

Untangling the big ball of confusion

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 08:02:12 GMT

Does the complexity of your industry get in the way of sales? Are you heavily regulated by an outside compliance entity? Are your customers confused by all of this? Marketing can help you take the confusion out of the equation for your customers so that you can move ahead in sales. Read our latest Nailing Post.

Feeding the roots: marketing to sales

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 08:13:33 GMT

Is your marketing feeding the roots of your business? Do your marketing efforts lead you to prospects or do the interests of prospects never make it to the sales staff? Take a look at our latest Nailing Post.

Columbus and Missed Goals

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 08:30:55 GMT

Did you meet your sales goals for last year? If not, what is happening in your office right now? There are common problems that arise out of missed sales projections, but it need not all be negative. Take a look at our latest Nailing Post.

Socialism and Marketing: why the two won't mix

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 08:47:24 GMT

Marketing is the fuel that drives sales in a capitalistic, free-market economy. It does not work so well when socialism enters the scene. Take a look at our latest Nailing Post.

Fear

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 07:49:50 GMT

Fear is a powerful emotion that many times gets in the way of rational thinking. If your business culture is dominated by fear, what kind of decisions are being made? Take a look at our latest Nailing Post.

Apples to oranges? What did Facebook just do with the stats?

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 07:58:15 GMT

Facebook's new insights have changed the way they count people looking at your posts. Take a look at our latest Nailing Post.

The marketing world changed on Black Friday

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 08:08:53 GMT

The marketing of Black Friday changed this year. What lessons can you learn from the midnight opening of the Christmas shopping season? Take a look at our latest Nailing Post.

Say what? Getting rid of the old online stuff

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 13:59:50 GMT

When was the last time you took a good look at your web site for outdated information? Leaving old online information in cyberspace can cause a lot of headaches. Take a look at our latest Nailing Post.

Has marketing overlooked Thanksgiving?

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 08:12:49 GMT

Thanksgiving has been the overlooked holiday in terms of any marketing benefit for companies outside of the food industry. However, Thanksgiving is providing new opportunities for corporations to make an impact with sponsorships and employee involvement in charitable causes. Take a look at our latest Nailing Post.

A tidbit of info, absurd assumptions

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 08:53:37 GMT

How do you manage public opinion of your company when rumors begin to circulate? Assumptions are made about your company on just a tidbit of information that may or may not be true. How you respond and the speed at which you do it can avert trouble or bring more problems. Take a look at our latest Nailing Post.

Online endorsements: Marketing power or poser?

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 07:46:21 GMT

Have you noticed that every time you do a Google search, there are +1 buttons listed with the search results? What is Google up to? They are looking for your endorsement so they can, in turn, market your favorite things back to you. Do endorsements work? Take a look at our latest Nailing Post.

Your inactive e-site

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 08:43:35 GMT

What happens when you come to a web page that is tagged "under construction?" What about Facebook pages that have not been posted on in over a year? Your inactivity on your e-sites could be worse than not having them at all. Take a look at our latest Nailing Post.

Brand marketing: What is in a name?

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 08:08:01 GMT

If you are thinking of diversifying your services, make sure you are not watering down your current brand for the new thing. Take a look at our latest Nailing Post.

The Subway model

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 08:13:17 GMT

Have you marketed your business like a Subway restaurant? Take a look at the distinct marketing advantage that Subway used to beat their competition in our latest Nailing Post.

Product placement and sponsorship – does it work?

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 07:37:02 GMT

Does product placement and sponsorship of events work? For years, products have been placed in popular movies and TV shows with the hope of brand recognition and a purchasing connection with the audience. Does the same thing work at your sponsored events? Take a look at our latest Nailing Post.

Start up biz now?

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 08:16:48 GMT

Even in the midst of a bad economy, now may be the best time to start up a new business. Take a look at our latest Nailing Post.

Leaving your mark

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 08:28:26 GMT

Is there one area of your business where you are the leader in your industry? What would your customers say if asked where you are leaving your mark with them? What is the moniker they are hanging on you? Take a look at our latest Nailing Post.

Integrity Marketing

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 08:51:08 GMT

Does integrity in marketing matter anymore? Yes it does, and the company that is telling the truth in marketing has a distinct advantage over the competition. Take a look at our latest Nailing Post.

Customer Service: Why it matters more than ever in marketing

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 06:41:19 GMT

Customer service and marketing are intrinsically linked. If you treat a customer poorly after the sale, you can expect to lose them to your competitors the next time they need your services. The need for good customer service to be a part of your marketing plan has never been so pertinent as it is today.

Lessons learned at a funeral for a friend

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 07:55:21 GMT

Have you considered the tremendous impact your life has on those around you? My perspective changed at a funeral for a friend.

The Rip Van Winkle syndrome and your marketing plans

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 07:56:44 GMT

When making your marketing plans and budgets for next year, there is a tendency to procrastinate the process. That could prove disastrous in 2012, just like the story of Rip Van Winkle, the old procrastinator who went to sleep one day and awoke to find the world he once lived in no longer existed. Take a look at our latest Nailing Post.

Point of sale in a mobile world

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 08:01:07 GMT

It is time to re-examine your web site if you are doing any e-commerce. How is your checkout process: quick and easy or cumbersome? What about on a mobile phone? Is it the same easy process on an iPhone as it is on a desktop computer? Take a look at our latest Nailing Post.

Millennial Marketing Quest: Facebook or Twitter? Are we asking the wrong question?

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 18:08:40 GMT

Are you actively marketing to Gen Y? If you are considering getting into the social networking marketing game, you might want to put less consideration on your tool and more consideration on your method. Read our latest Nailing Post.

Running under my shoe: marketing in the midst of panic

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 08:09:43 GMT

Marketing in the middle of panic can be quite tricky. With the stock market's wild ride and an uncertain economic forecast, how do you get anyone to buy your products and services? Read our latest Nailing Post.

The sticking point: how to grow from an under-position

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 08:02:01 GMT

Growing your business in a down economy is difficult, especially if you are under-capitalized, under-staffed, or under-contracted. Difficult, but not impossible. Take a look at our latest Nailing Post.

Dropping the ball

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 09:23:29 GMT

Have you had someone in your organization drop the ball and it went public? What can you do from a marketing and communications standpoint to combat rumors and negative press about your company? Plenty. Read our latest Nailing Post.

What’s in a name: the case for cause marketing

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 09:08:28 GMT

What is the public perception of your company? Are you a hero or a villain? As a corporation, attaching your name to a charitable cause can pay big dividends for you in the minds of your audience. Take a look at our latest Nailing Post.

Keeping up with statistics

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 07:21:09 GMT

Are you charting your web statistics? Keeping an eye on key numbers can help your marketing efforts be more effective. Take a look at our latest Nailing Post.

Business Makeover

Thu, 07 Jul 2011 08:01:36 GMT

Are your sales in a tailspin? Maybe you need a business makeover. When your sales cycle is in decline, it may be time to look at a new way of doing things.

The essential non-essentials

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 10:00:19 GMT

What are the essentials of doing business today? Have they changed over time? One essential has not changed: marketing. Take a look at our latest Nailing Post.

The old diner and a shift in business trends

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 11:23:25 GMT

Are there trends that are pulling sales away from your company? Take a look at shifting business trends and how you can position your company to profit from changing times.

Make me laugh

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 10:18:32 GMT

Humor in internet video is all over YouTube these days. Can this be used in marketing your business? It can, but you must be wary of the pitfalls.

The marketing of brushing your teeth

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 08:53:21 GMT

Brushing your teeth seems like such a routine, daily event in most people's lives that it would not need any marketing help to drive sales. On the contrary, toothpaste is marketed with precision and is constantly on the move. Learn a lesson from the marketing of brushing your teeth.

Facebook vs. Corporate Marketing

Thu, 02 Jun 2011 10:43:33 GMT

Is Facebook and corporate marketing a good fit? Some companies have had enormous success in creating a fan base on their FB page. Others have found that it is a forum for complaints. Is it a marriage made in heaven or a divorce waiting to happen? Take a look at our latest Nailing Post.

The dos and don'ts of press releases

Thu, 26 May 2011 09:22:14 GMT

Press releases are a great way to keep the market informed and engaged with your company. However, there are certain things that you should include and certain things you should steer clear of in a press release.

Waking up from your Marketing Dream

Thu, 19 May 2011 12:35:58 GMT

What can you learn about marketing from your dreams? Take a tongue in cheek look at the meaning of your dreams from a marketing perspective.

Marketing Around Inflation

Thu, 12 May 2011 08:14:09 GMT

As the winds of inflation begin to build on the economic horizon, do you know how to market your products or services when you are forced to raise your prices?

The Indispensable Product

Thu, 05 May 2011 10:05:33 GMT

How do you make your products and services such a vital part of people's lives that they are seen as indispensable? It is all in the marketing.

Bending steel with my mind and 5 things your web site cannot replace

Thu, 28 Apr 2011 10:39:11 GMT

Are there certain aspects of marketing that cannot be replaced by your web site, a search engine and a social networking site? Take a look at our latest Nailing Post.

The Relationship Factor

Thu, 21 Apr 2011 08:02:20 GMT

Is there more to business than winning at all costs? Is there more to leading people than making sure they never surpass you? Take a look at our latest Nailing Post written around one of the most celebrated and hated people in the world of professional baseball.

Creating a Cultural Shift

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 08:21:58 GMT

Can marketing impact the way an entire society thinks? You bet it can. To see the shift in cultural thinking, look no further than the changing attitudes about cigarette smoking.

Creating the Surprise in Marketing

Fri, 01 Apr 2011 14:48:39 GMT

What role does surprise play in helping your audience take notice of your advertising efforts? Plenty! When you use surprise correctly, you are engaging the brain of your viewer to react. Take a look at our latest Nailing Post.

An Empty Speech by a Man of Renown

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 09:57:41 GMT

How important is integrity in your marketing communications? Imperative! When you are communicating on behalf of your corporation, are you basing what you have to say on your company's Core Values? Are you communicating the Vision and Mission of your company? Not sure? Take a look at our latest Nailing Post.

The Best and Worst Days for Email Marketing

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 09:52:08 GMT

What is the best day to send out an email marketing campaign? When will potential clients give your email a serious look? Despite a myriad of opinions and a pile of research on this subject, the answers might be simpler than you think. It might be a matter of studying the email habits of your clients.

Purchasing cycles: the art of good timing in marketing

Thu, 17 Mar 2011 08:17:54 GMT

One of the biggest mistakes that happens in marketing is failing to plan out your marketing campaigns in advance. If you understand your customer's purchasing tendencies, you can lead them to a sale at just the point when they are ready to buy. Miss this window of opportunity and you have wasted your marketing efforts.

An Old Twist to New Media

Wed, 09 Mar 2011 17:23:34 GMT

If you have yet to make the jump to New Media, there may be some marketing activities you are now doing that will easily convert to social networking as a medium for marketing your business. But before you jump on the social networking train, take a look at this article.

Failure to Launch

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 10:38:07 GMT

Are your marketing efforts suffering because the bad economy has you afraid to make a move? Take a look at our latest Nailing Post article on the hazards of failing to launch your marketing plan and some tips on doing so in a down economy.

Niche Marketing

Thu, 24 Feb 2011 09:06:28 GMT

One of the biggest mistakes businesses make is not truly understanding niche marketing. Are you solving a problem for a group of people with your product or service? If so, you may be on your way to successful niche marketing.

The three-legged stool of retaining customers

Thu, 17 Feb 2011 08:39:34 GMT

There are three legs that hold the weight of the decision that make customers want to do business with you again. If you are interested in client retention, you have to make sure all three are firmly in place.

Staring at my wrist

Thu, 10 Feb 2011 08:51:17 GMT

Is your marketing tied to an old way of doing things that keeps costing you money with no visible return? Savvy marketers are learning to change their marketing message so that it has a measurable impact on sales.

Are we reliving the mistakes of the
Great Depression?

Thu, 03 Feb 2011 08:44:57 GMT

The cheap talk of politicians and economists will not bring our economy back. The same rhetoric that was tossed about by the experts in the 1930s is the same thing we hear from our leaders today. The same talk will result in the same results unless a different action is taken.

Undercover Marketing

Thu, 27 Jan 2011 09:09:22 GMT

Do you really understand what it is like to be your customer? Many executives are just guessing at what makes their marketing efforts successful or unsuccessful. Until you can sit in the same seat as your client and see what they see, you will never be able to clearly see and fix your own marketing mistakes.

Will Generation Z be the new Silent Generation?

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 09:19:27 GMT

How much impact will the recession have on the buying habits of Generation Z? Those youngsters will begin coming of age in the next three years. Will their values mirror that of the Silent Generation that grew up during the Great Depression and impacted the way they spent money for the rest of their lives?

2011: The Year of the Stapler or the Staple Puller?

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 08:18:46 GMT

Ineffective marketing techniques of the past are not going to fly in 2011. With everyone's budget cut backs, there is no room for trial and error marketing. But how do you know if your marketing efforts will really work? Take a look at our latest Nailing Post article: 2011: The Year of the Stapler or the Staple Puller?

The treasure in the couch

Thu, 06 Jan 2011 14:59:23 GMT

What happens when you find that your skills are not quite as marketable as they once were? Are you trying to ride out the recession with the abilities you currently have or are you trying to broaden your portfolio of job skills? Take a look at our latest Nailing Post, The Treasure in the Couch.

New Year, New Business Changes

Thu, 30 Dec 2010 10:29:56 GMT

2011 will be a year that redefines business. First, we are in the midst of a recession and trying to find a way out. In the midst of this, the first round of baby boomers turn 65 when they planned to retire. The boomers account for 22% of our total population. Take a look at how this dynamic will change business beginning in 2011.

Merry Marketing Christmas

Wed, 22 Dec 2010 15:09:04 GMT

Many of the icons surrounding Christmas as we know it have their origins in marketing. From popular Christmas songs to the color of Santa Claus' outerwear, trying to sell a product is behind most of our traditional images. Have we become too commercial at Christmas? Take a look at our latest Nailing Post article, "Merry Marketing Christmas."

Green goo III
Why be green?

Thu, 16 Dec 2010 12:25:43 GMT

Why should your company consider being a "green" business? It is good marketing strategy. Understanding that attitudes towards "green" have changed to be values of a generation of young adults, it only makes good business sense.

Green goo II
Green Marketing in the Service Sector

Thu, 09 Dec 2010 14:09:11 GMT

If you work in the service sector, what can you do to market your company as a "green" business? Simple things can add up to big things when you get all your employees on board with your sustainability efforts and think outside of the norm. Just make sure you are backing up your green marketing comments with substance.

Sipping from the Green Goo

Thu, 02 Dec 2010 13:53:10 GMT

Is there any marketing value in being a "green" business? Is this just the latest fad or does the green movement have any staying power? What does it really mean to be "green" anyway? Take a look at what you can do with the green movement and how it should apply to your marketing efforts.

Silly Putty
The value of a good idea

Wed, 24 Nov 2010 08:47:43 GMT

Silly Putty is one of the world's best selling toys of all time. But the bouncing ball of dough was actually a failed attempt at synthetic rubber for tires. When mega-corp GE tried to find a use for it, world renowned scientists and engineers could not find a use for their invention. However, one marketing professional saw the potential of the product as a child's toy. Take a look at the marketing genius behind a good brand, a target market and a well placed ad.

Playing poker with the recession
Hold 'em or fold 'em?

Thu, 18 Nov 2010 16:06:20 GMT

Are you making marketing plans for next year? It may seem like you are playing poker with the recession. Do you hold what you have or fold and wait for a better hand? Here are some practical steps to consider when making your marketing goals while the economy is down.

Veterans Day

Thu, 11 Nov 2010 07:34:49 GMT

Remember to thank a vet for their service to freedom around the globe.

The Ups and Downs of Viral Marketing

Fri, 05 Nov 2010 13:00:44 GMT

Viral marketing is nothing new. People have been exchanging information on hot items and great deals for eons. It is almost a sport of sorts. However, viral marketing can be either good or bad for your company. The internet not only gives you a greater pool of potential customers, it can also be the source of rumors and misinformation that can counter your best laid marketing plans.

Demographics and Marketing in a Multi-cultural Society

Wed, 27 Oct 2010 15:40:23 GMT

Have you ever considered the impact certain people grouping have on your business? Demographics should be one of the driving forces behind your marketing efforts: from analyzing who buys from you to determining how to advertise to a specific segment of society. In a multi-cultural marketplace, demographics have never been more important to understanding your customer.

The Reaction Factor

Thu, 21 Oct 2010 14:42:52 GMT

Are you making your marketing plans for next year? If so, are you truly making sound plans or just reacting to bad news. The reaction factor plays into many business decisions, but doesn't serve us well in the long run.

Do you have a Mount Rushmore?

Wed, 13 Oct 2010 17:14:21 GMT

Do you have a personal Mount Rushmore? This is a group of people who are close advisors to you. Take a look at three types of people you should consider getting close to. You might find that they keep you on track and out of big trouble.

Steering the Titanic

Thu, 07 Oct 2010 10:58:29 GMT

Are you thinking of starting a new business? Is that thought from your reactions to how things are going at your current job (if you still have one) or have you thought this through? Starting a new business is much like steering the Titanic around icebergs. You must keep your head and know what you are doing.

The Element of Intrigue

Thu, 30 Sep 2010 14:16:12 GMT

Have you built intrigue into your advertising campaigns? If you learn to use the natural curiosity of human beings, you can get your customers to seek out your products and services.

The Big Obstacle to Business Today

Thu, 23 Sep 2010 12:15:28 GMT

What is the big obstacle to business today? It is the loss of freedom. As we warm up the fall election season, keep in mind that the biggest problem is not our poor economy, it is poor leadership.

Theory or Practice: the Butt or the Head?

Thu, 16 Sep 2010 09:01:39 GMT

Where does business theory get in the way of practical marketing applications? What you study in the classroom only works when the practice leads the theory.

The comfortable mistake

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 09:56:17 GMT

The gnat and the ostrich

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 15:16:03 GMT

Blow it up or tweak it?

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 09:41:10 GMT

Customer Service and the Recession

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 09:26:25 GMT

Marketing on the right side of the road

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 09:07:44 GMT

The Marketing Starter Kit

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 14:30:18 GMT

i-communications

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 07:34:52 GMT

Awareness marketing and your web site

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 11:23:31 GMT

Marketing on the other side of Recession

Thu, 13 May 2010 08:52:48 GMT

The Anatomy of a Logo

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 14:52:32 GMT

All in all, life seems inevitably out of my control

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 13:12:12 GMT

Your customers: Bears, Lions or Eagles?

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 13:12:05 GMT

The Knowledge Network

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 13:11:41 GMT

Networking and the Law of the Few

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 11:03:11 GMT

Function or design?

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 10:50:22 GMT