Over the last few years, I have written over 700 blog posts covering many marketing topics. I learn by writing and researching all types of businesses and find inspiration in many places. Blogs can be like marketing gifts, especially when they are wrapped with a bow.
Please accept these 17 marketing gifts for 2017. It is my hope that these ideas can inform and inspire your marketing efforts in 2017.
17 for 2017
- NON-PROFIT INSPIRATION: Instead of starting a non-profit that looks like everyone else, Carroll’s Kitchen created a restaurant that serves as the center of their charity to help homeless women reenter the workplace.
- BEYOND BOUNDARIES: Getting out of your comfort zone can help you find breakthroughs. I got to visit a Syrian refugee camp in Germany. The experience was inspirational. The impact, over time, was lasting on how I think about my work.
- AN ARTIST COMMUNITY: Often a chance meeting can lead to an opportunity. When two hikers met and connected in Argentina, one of them shared a drawing on his sneaker. It resulted in a business built on a community of artists seeking opportunities. Check out the lessons from Bucketfeet.
- GO MAN GO: In this past year, I learned about a company that was proud to be #1 in #2. Do you know about Squatty Potty? If not, check out their brilliant video that went viral and helped grow the business in a dramatic way.
- SOMETHING BLUE: When Koh Ohsedo decided to get into Prosecco, he knew he needed a meaningful point of difference. Learn about Blanc de Bleu, the perfect sparkling wine for a single usage occasion- weddings. (Weddings happen to be the primary occasion for consuming sparkling wine). Think of Something Blue.
- IDEAS THAT TAKE OFF: Imagine if your business model changed and suddenly it took off into the wild, blue yonder. SurfAir took the “all you can eat buffet” model and turned it upside down for the airline industry in California. Go up, up and away to learn more about shifting your ‘go to market’ approach.
- COOL IDEAS: Sometimes a business is started to solve a personal problem. When the owners of Yeti Cooler couldn’t find the perfect cooler, they wanted for fishing; they built it themselves. Fortunately, many consumers shared the same need.
- COFFEE TIME: What would happen if a coffee shop gave away the coffee and pastries and charged you to hang out by the hour? Learn about this innovative business model from the folks at Ziferblat in the U.K.
- HELLO MOHAMMED: In a world with such crappy customer service, what happens when you are surprised by an authentic salesperson at a chain like CarMax. Meet Mohammed and me and my car buying escapades.
- SHIP IT! Ever hear of people to people shipping? Imagine using some available suitcase space to transport something to friends and family. Air Mule has figured out a new opportunity in a blue-ocean. Pack in some marketing insights!
- B2B PODCASTING: I believe that B2B companies should be examining podcasting as a marketing channel. It is a powerful way to do hyper-targeted marketing. This post is filled with ideas for B2B marketers to help them connect with hard to reach customers.
- ITS NOT YOU, ITS ME: I discovered TalkSpace this past year as an innovative and disruptive approach to personal therapy. They do some fascinating things to reach a different audience who might be reluctant to see a therapist. Many marketing lessons in this post about a new idea in a more established category.
- OPEN LIMITS: One of my favorite marketing books I discovered last year is called A Beautiful Constraint. This book is rich with helpful ideas to see beyond the limitations that most marketing professionals encounter. It forces you to think clearly to define your problem/challenge carefully. Worth every penny.
- LEAD ME: Leads need nurturing. If you think of marketing like gardening, your leads need water, sunlight, and fertilizer to grow and flourish. Leads are no different. Check out these tips on the process.
- FINE TUNE TARGETING: How focused is your targeting? What happens when you look at some extreme examples of micro-targeting to help you rethink your marketing efforts. Wine for Left-handed drinkers, anyone?
- DID YOU GET MY EMAIL: Seven Way to Improve Your Email Marketing is another favorite post with lots of helpful ideas to improve your response and conversion rates. Check out these fundamental ideas.
- LESSONS FROM CALVIN: What I learned from Calvin & Hobbes about Marketing is one of my favorite posts of 2017. Inspired by my daughter’s love of the comic genius of Bill Watterson, I find inspiration in his approach. Timeless, heart-centered and not commercial. Lots of lessons for marketing pros from Calvin and his imaginary tiger.
Happy 2017. Wishing you good health and happiness.
Photo credit: https://pixabay.com/en/users/WereldwinkelSchoonhoven-1141506/
