I have seen many articles on how color effects marketing over the last couple of years. This one night be the best yet. Short version: color is subjective. However you can use color effectively but don’t over think it.
http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/233843
Why would you make anything that is not responsive anymore? Unless there is some super technical thing on your site that cannot be responsive, there is no reason to not have a responsive website. More than 30% of traffic is now mobile, that means if your site is not responsive, IT LOOKS BAD FOR MORE THAN 30% OF YOUR VISITORS! Responsive is now as standard as remote entry is on cars. If your website is not responsive you need to start a redesign soon! This even expands into emails as the below statistics reveal. Is your email template responsive? (HT MarketingCharts)
Do you want to be a great organization? If you are familiar with Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs then the below chart will make sense to you. This chart is derived from some of the great research that Gallup is doing on leadership. Almost all of the steps to creating deep employee engagement have to do with the leadership of a supervisor. When I think back to some of my most successful times during employment, I can see these factors being present. Conversely, when I think back to some of my least successful times of employment, I can see these factors not being present.
My only issue with this chart is the word ‘best’ in Q10. Might be over kill to require a best friend at work. But friends at work is a must.
One thing I might add is: Does the culture of the work place demand excellence? Cultures that demand the best often bring out the best, when these other factors are present.
Another great resource for marketers is Marketing Charts. Marketing Charts is a free email service that shares some of the latest and greatest data about marketing.
First impressions happen fast. Sometimes before you even start the interaction (HT Art of Manliness: How to Enter a Room Like a Boss) These stats help me think about two things: 1. The first interaction with your product matters (duh) 2.What comes before that interaction.
1. Obviously if you mess up the initial interaction: the first meeting, the first plate of food, the first presentation, the first printing, the rest of the relationship is going to suffer.
2. I think to make such a strong connection so quickly there are often going to be some preliminary things happening:
Two thoughts:
1. Word of Mouth/Reputation: Your reputation sets the stage for your entrance to the party/meeting/point of first contact. Keep an eye on your online reviews and know what people say about you. When I go to a restaurant and I have read online that their service is slow, I am keeping a special eye out for it. Pay attention to and fix your weaknesses. Someone who is primed to be a critic becomes a fan to defend your reputation quickly.
2. Branding/Appearance: When you enter a place, the place will help set your perception of the interaction that is about to happen. It is the same thing with the brand personality that you put out into the community, if you use the average Joe persona people might be taken back by a $30 steak on the menu. Use your branding to help set the stage for your first interaction with a customer.
Think through the whole interaction, even try to imagine the part you are not privy to. Use the tools you have to set up the first interaction with your brand to be successful so that you grow rabid fans quickly. Now I wonder what we could accomplish with some rabid fans?
Seth Godin is a genius. One of the things I intend to do with this blog is to share resources that I have found beneficial. Godins comments on making a presentation are spot on. I strive to be as engaging of as a presenter as possible and I plan on incorporating his remarks into my next presentation.
http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2007/01/really_bad_powe.html
What if you had more fans like this? Not saying ‘bat crap crazy’ fans who will burn down your competitors businesses but fans who will go all-out to support your brand/business/blog/nonprofit. I am fortunate to work with two groups that have rapid fans that may be at a notch below the above featured fan group (Lets be honest some soccer fans are insane, and not just for liking soccer that much.). While the two groups are vastly different in size, product, and mission, they both have these dedicated supporters. Why? They both do good work at producing amazing products that no one else provides, they care about the communities they are in, and get their supporters involved. If we all had a few more fans like that, imagine what we could accomplish!
