Posts Tagged ‘branding’

The Box of Donuts is Evolving

Friday, July 16th, 2010

Let’s be honest.  The settlement services and even the mortgage industry are what we would politely call “traditional.”  On good days, that means old-fashioned values like loyalty and honesty.  But on the not-so-good days, shall we say it means, ahem, conservative? (more…)

The Tone Deaf Brand

Friday, July 9th, 2010

I’d be remiss, as a loyal Clevelander, not to derive some lesson from the mangled PR train-wreck that is the LeBronaclypse.  So please bear with me! (more…)

Social media for businesses–You get out of it what you put into it!

Friday, June 25th, 2010

I recently read a great blog post about social media strategy.  Or, I should say, about the lack thereof.  According to Mr. Bedell’s post, only 51% of businesses surveyed which are using social media for business purposes have a plan for doing so, even though 88% agreed it was, in theory, at least, a worthwhile endeavor.

Wow. (more…)

Branding…Beyond the Tagline

Friday, June 4th, 2010

Although it would be easy to do, this is not a BP-bashing post (tempting, but…).  Recently, a  pretty good article about where BP failed in its branding efforts did get me thinking about implications for my own industry. (more…)

Dragging your marketing into the 21st century (kicking and screaming, if necessary)

Friday, May 21st, 2010

For some, “marketing” is little more than a flyer extolling the virtues of one’s product or service.  There’s actually some truth to this.  But when the “strategy” behind a marketing piece starts, and ends, with little more than a look in the mirror, it’s more likely than not that your marketing piece isn’t going to be that effective.  Not with today’s prospect. (more…)

It’s not just your marketing that delivers your message.

Friday, March 12th, 2010

It’s easy to fall in love with your marketing, especially the brainstorming part.  It’s a chance to present your brand the way you see it.  The way you plan for it to be perceived.  It’s a chance to be creative, to dabble in something that doesn’t (always) have its roots in numbers and problems and logistical challenges. (more…)

Getting the Very Least Out of Your Ad Buy or Conference Sponsorship

Friday, February 19th, 2010

Wow!  Two blog posts in one week…but don’t get too used to it.  With  spring conference season almost upon us, it’s time for firms of all sizes to consider carefully if and where to allocate their sponsorship or advertising budgets.   Here are a few tips for the most important part of the ad or sponsorship buy:  the production and execution or fulfillment of that ad or sponsorship. (more…)

Customer service as an unwanted expense: The customer strikes back.

Friday, January 22nd, 2010

From time to time, I like to convey my “real life” experiences with brands not involved in the real estate or mortgage industry.  It’s my hope there are real business lessons to be learned there, which can be applied to our own space.

 

At the least, it’s my hope the stories make for mildly entertaining blogging! (more…)

DIY MarComm strategy and other ways to put me out of business. (Part I, PR)

Friday, December 11th, 2009

As my little gift to my valued readers (hi Mom!), I’m going to let you all look behind the curtain this week.  You see, marketing communications strategy, in my humble opinion, is little more than common sense.  And I believe that pretty much any level-headed business person can, indeed, do it himself/herself with just a little thought.  (more…)

Advertising ain’t dead yet

Friday, November 6th, 2009

 

Part of being a social media guru (and I write that with tongue planted firmly in cheek) is that I get access to quite a few conversations among other social media experts, gurus, champions, evangelists, prophets, heralds and superstars.  Many of these are quality discussions.  But some of the comments I read are head-scratchers. (more…)