Archives for 2013

Planning For Marketing Success In 2014

If you’re using the quiet days between Christmas and New Year (or even early January) to plan and prepare for marketing success in 2014…

…here are some pieces you might find thought-provoking and useful.

First up…

…probably the highest payoff action will be to map out a marketing calendar for the year ahead.

Here’s a great post from Ray Edwards…

“How To Create A One Page Marketing Plan”.

My thoughts…

“Looking Ahead – Marketing Calendar 2014”.

On general success principles…

…a timeless post from John Carlton…

…“The Rest Of Your Freakin’ Life (again)”.

Exec summary…

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So…What’s In Prospect For Marketing In 2014?

Hope you enjoyed a wonderful Christmas!

At the end of the year and especially in the lull between Christmas and New Year…

…it’s a good time to take a little time to reflect on what major trends might impact on marketers and marketing in the coming year.

Hopefully, you’ve already mapped out your Marketing Calendar for 2014. If not…now would be a good time!

As to the shape of the landscape in the coming year…

…I’ll kick off with these thoughts from Dan Kennedy from the December 2013 issue of the “No B.S. Marketing Letter”.

“It pretty much looks to me like more of what we’ve been coping with: many customers with lowered spending ability, many more with less willingness to spend, overall a “tightness” in spending – so we must be smarter, more effective, and more efficient in identifying, reaching and motivating viable customers. Also, to my point made above, we need to craft and present more irrestible offers incorporating more urgency to act vs. delay. We can’t take ANY patronage for granted.”

Dan’s pretty gloomy about overall economic conditions. Of course, he’s talking mainly about the USA and conditions in your local market may be more encouraging. However, his following 4 suggestions will almost certainly pay dividends for any business…

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Best Wishes This Christmas 2013

A few years back master marketer and copywriter Ted Nicholas sent out a holiday message that included a piece of writing that Ted especially likes.

It’s the famous piece by Ralph Waldo Emerson…

“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.”

Something well worth reading and reflecting on regularly.

A “Christmas Carol” always plays a role in seasonal celebrations and traditions for me…

…so I was intrigued by these reflections on the famous tale…

…“What was Charles Dickens Really Doing When He Wrote ‘A Christmas Carol’?”

Best wishes to you and your loved ones this Christmas 2013 and may you enjoy every success in the coming year!

A Selection Of Christmas Marketing Cartoons 2013

Christmas 2013 is fast approaching…

…so here is a selection of Christmas themed marketing cartoons from the great Tom Fishburne for you to enjoy.

One of the highlights of the week for me is Tom’s new cartoon. Always raises a smile and always insightful.

I’ve posted a number of these before…

…but for your entertainment I’ve decided to put together this seasonal selection.

First up, here’s the latest from Tom…

2013-12-15 naughty or nice

Original at “naughty or nice”

Next, one of my favourites…

You can read the full post at “on the 12th day of Christmas, retailers gave to me” .

More great Christmas marketing cartoons…

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Looking Ahead – Marketing Calendar January 2014

2013 is almost over and the coming year of 2014 is fast approaching.

Time to take a look ahead at the month of January 2014…

…and events, anniversaries and other occasions that we can put to use for an event-driven marketing event or promotion.

The start of the New Year itself is a great reason for a promotion. At this time, most people are making plans for the year ahead and often looking to make a “fresh start”.

“New Year Sales” are a staple pretty much around the globe and no reason why you can’t make use of this.

Also, in 2014 Chinese New Year falls in January…

…on the 31st, when the “Year Of The Horse” commences.

Other events of note…

January 1 – New Year’s Day

January 4 – Blender Day (invented 1910)

January 6 – Birthday of Sherlock Holmes

January 8 – Elvis Presley’s Birthday

January 11 – International “Thank You Day”

January 19 – “Tin Can Day” (patent awarded in 1825 for canning process)

January 21- Martin Luther King Day (USA)

January 29 – Freethinker’s Day

More unusual events and anniversaries over at www.BlueMountain.com.

(Look for the ‘On this day’ section.)

Turning to events specific to particular countries…

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