Atomic Penny

What does being the best really mean? If you are the best, are you better than everyone else? Do you really believe that? Often, once one attains ”best” status, they realize that it can be a double edged sword.

Knowing you are the best is good if you don’t let it go to your head. If you do, it can make you a target. Getting an ego because of your success makes you unbalanced and easy to topple. There is nothing wrong with taking pride in your success, however that pride needs to stay controlled.

Always keep in mind that satisfaction about being the best can be one of the worst things that can ever happen to you. It can become the acme of your life and career. Once you reach that pinnacle and assume that you are done, you’ll cease to learn and grow.

The view from the top is great, but lonely. Why not look around you and find others who want to succeed and achieve together?  Find a way to  get to the top and make room for more because if you do it together, you all win.

Who can you help succeed today?

POWER ON–Mark

McDonalds, Coke, Apple, Microsoft, Nokia and GE. Big names, big companies and really, really big marketing budgets. These companies are among the top 20 “Best Global Brands” according to BusinessWeek Magazine. They are also common names, almost generic when you are looking to buy one of their products.

As a small business owner, you may think you can’t compete on brand with the big boys. Think again. You are your brand! You can build your brand in many ways, you need to choose the medium. One way is through PR. It doesn’t cost much if you use the right approach. John Jantsch, author of “Duct Tape Marketing” discusses five low or no-cost PR options in his blog.

As you build your own Confetti Project, deciding how to build your brand should be a part of your countdown phase. While at the time you may not think of it as important, it will become important, probably sooner than you expect. Start ahead of the curve and build your brand as you build your business. What does your brand say about you and/or your business?

POWER ON–Mark

Picnic Cups, good for drinking, better for messages. What can you use to spread your marketing message?

POWER ON–Mark

I had mice, I know because my cat caught one, I caught seven. Where there is one, there are more. Mice are like your marketing program. In the right environment they can thrive.  In the wrong environment they wither and leave. Mice are like your customers, willing to stay if the environment is right, willing to leave if there is a better opportunity elsewhere. What have you done to keep your business environment hospitable?

Look around, if your environment is lacking, so probably are your customers. Are you giving them a reason to come back and visit? While Starbucks has had a rough couple of years, it still has a welcoming environment. Free WI-FI, chairs, and even couches. Free food when you register your gift card, no questions if you stay and relax or work for a while. Why? Because they want you to come back.  And when you do, there is a good chance you will spend your time and money there.  While there is competition out there, Starbucks is working hard to keep business coming in the door, today and tomorrow.

Does your business welcome your customers back, or is it one and done?

POWER ON–Mark

It’s all about the little stuff.  Confetti is little stuff, but it goes a long way. Want to advertise, but don’t have the budget to create an ad? Find a graphics art class that will take your ad on as s project. Find a local paper instead of a city wide one. It’s the little things you do that will yield big results.

Are you afraid to try? What happens if you do nothing? NOTHING HAPPENS!

Do some marketing, anything, nothing doesn’t pay.

How long will you survive by doing nothing?

POWER ON–Mark

The Confetti Project is officially here!

It’s time to think in a new way about marketing. It’s your time to think differently about how you run your business. It’s time to start connecting with future and past customers. It’s time to create new alliances, strengthen current relationships and move on to a higher level of commitment. Not a monetary or time commitment, but a commitment to excellence of  marketing in a new and different way. Thinking differently, taking the road less traveled and remembering who inspired you to be where you are today.

The Confetti Project is designed to help you get there. Different thinking, open minds and ideas that inspire are foundations of the Confetti Project. The Project is based on 4 basic steps:

• The Countdown
• The Launch
• The Explosion
• The Fallout

Watch as this takes off and come along for the ride!

In fact, I believe in this system so much, that I’m giving away my NCAA March Madness basketball tickets to prove it! To learn more, visit the Atomic Penny Facebook fan page here.

POWER ON-Mark

Facebook has over 162 Million users in the U.S. alone and Twitter has 75 million users, with 15 million of them currently listed as active. These are staggering numbers, and if you are using these platforms to get your message out, you need to apply the right way to reach your target users.

Honda recently used Facebook to launch it’s new vehicle, the Crosstour, and the response was less than pleasing.  If you look for followers on Twitter, the top company after celebrities and news organizations is the NBA  then Whole Foods at 1.8 MM and 1.75 MM followers respectivly.

My point is that Facebook and Twitter, as well as other social media sites have there place. You need to decide how you are going to best use them to your advantage.  Does your message resonate when posted? Rioja restaurant in Denver updates its fan page with new menus and special events. Uni-ball advertises its fan page in television commercials. Many companies are using twitter as a delivery system for coupons. Tony Hseih uses twitter to update employees and customers of his thoughts and goings on at Zappos.

I also use Facebook (Atomicpenny Fan Page)  as a means to deliver my blog and to send out announcements. I use Twitter (@atomicmark) also as a delivery system. Until I get the Confetti Project fully up and running, that will be my reach. Watch for more information soon!

What are your expectations of your social media program, and are you expecting more than you realize?

POWER ON–Mark

How tightly do you control your marketing message? Are you what I like to call a ”sweeper” who constantly makes sure the message is tight and controlled? If so…WHY?! The purpose of a message is to spread either virally or organically. If you are concerned about your efforts going in the wrong direction, maybe you have the wrong message.

This came up recently during the run to the Super Bowl by the New Orleans Saints. The NFL was so concerned that the phrase “Who Dat” was being used without license that they threatened to sue anyone profiting from the phrase. What a good way to taint a feel good story.

Instead, become a spreader. Allow your message to be shared far and wide. Be like Red Bull who gives away free samples across the world. Use your name and message to promote your product. While you can’t control the entire message, it is better than bottling it up.

Spreading is also easier. Get your product or service in the hands of new customers, without disenfranchising current customers. Remember, as long as you treat your current customers well, they should be loyal. The issue is that current, satisfied customers have already told their friends and family about you. Allow your word to spread beyond those with direct awareness, like a virus.

What message do you want your potential customers to see?

POWER ON–Mark

I often find myself on the receiving end of questions regarding word of mouth (WOM) marketing –”How often do you have a marketing program that is focused on WOM?”; “How do you make sure that WOM is working?”; “How do you control it?”

My suggestion to achieve WOM success is to plan the biggest event you can afford and invite EVERYONE! And don’t just invite customers. The reason why is simple, but often overlooked. Your customers, if pleased with your service, have already told people about your product or service. It is the customers that have not yet been WOWed from an interaction with you that can help you reach a brand new audience.  Emergemcemarketing.com has a nice blog on this subject.

Get the message to spread to new customers through interactions outside the usual office or business environment. An event that I have had consistent success with is a car wash. For the cost of  a power washer and a local high school or community group, you can increase interaction, goodwill, and your bottom line. 

Let the people you please spread the word about your business!

POWER ON-Mark