Atomic Penny

On long plane flights you have the opportunity to do many things; watch TV or movies, eat airline food, read, sleep and even meet someone new. On a recent trans-continental flight I watched some TV because sleep was out of the question. Me, airline seats and sleep does not make for a good combination. 

I watched two unrelated shows on two different and unrelated networks and saw some very similar product placement. On Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations, and Psych there was some very blatant  product placement. Not the cars they ride in, the drinks with the label facing the camera or even the clothing. What was shown was the Chase Credit Card. 

I watch these show regularly and am disappointed by the pitches inserted in each episode. I am sure that both shows are paid handsomely for this promotion, but at what cost of turning off viewers? 

And if it is on these shows, what other TV shows are also in on this? I am all for marketing and product placement, but if it is so 'in your face' that it makes you rethink your entertainment selections, then it should be rethought.

And, next time I will find a way to sleep.

Did the Chase credit card placement work? I'm talking about it. Hmmm…..

POWER ON–Mark

Before you read this I want you to know I am a fan of Apple products, I have a Mac, 3 iPods, an iPhone (3G, not the 4), and I had an iPad for a while, hoping it would meet my needs. It did not, so I returned it. But I love the products, the design, and the ease of use, so I will continue to buy Apple products as I need them. With that said, did you see or read about the announcement by Steve Jobs regarding the iPhone 4 antenna issues? I saw and read them and was disappointed. You can watch it for yourself here: Steve Jobs on CNN Reports

On one of my very first posts, I briefly mentioned that marketing is the heart of your business, and I believe that even more now.  In looking at the presentation by Steve Jobs, I felt Apple forgot its heart. Why? There really wasn't an apology, there was an explanation. And worse, there was a comparison! Apple has never had to compare. Instead of saying "we want all our customers to be happy",  Apple should apologize, say they failed to meet their own high expectations, provide a fix and move on. Giving a free case was a needed gesture, but did not fix the bigger issue of the proud culture that has been established by Apple.

The comparison to the loss of signal while holding the phone a certain way was below the high standards of Apple. Apple needs to remember that they can and should turn a weakness into a strength. Go for the jugular. Don't compare your weakness, make it better. Show why I should buy, and why you are better, or the best. Regain your arrogance, and move on. Take your lumps, fix it, then power ahead. 

If you have a similar issue in your business, learn from Apple. Make your weakness a strength, move ahead, and rise to a higher level.

What power can you gain from a weakness?

POWER ON–Mark

I am always quite stunned when I see the sweepers prevail. What is a sweeper? A sweeper is a person or company that so tightly controls the message they are trying to send, that it does not expand beyond a specific intended audience. A sweeper is afraid that the message will be misconstrued or reach the wrong audience. Imagine if Gatorade was never used outside of the University of Florida. Where would we be in the sports drink category? There is a high probability that some other company would be the nation’s most recognized sports drink. Imagine if Red Bull was not mixed with vodka – another opportunity lost.

When you become a sweeper, you lose the opportunity to expand. You lose the ability to respond, the ability to react and the ability to grow.

What do you have in your Confetti Project that is waiting to be spread? Put your broom away, throw away the dustpan, and forget about sweeping, you will be pleased with the results.

POWER ON–Mark

You know the one. The person who everyone remembers from an interaction. He may not be the richest, best looking or most interesting, but the one person wh makes you feel better about yourself and others after an interaction.

The Confetti Project can work the same way. Be “That Guy” to your customers, prospects and suspects. Hugh MacLeod is “That Guy”, author of “Ignore Everybody” leaves his mark with every interaction. His Daily Business Card is amazing artwork for everyman.

Pamela Slim is  ”That Woman”,  dedicated to helping other escape from the corporate abyss. Right now she has an entire series of posts on expanding markets. She is a true confetti spreader.

Be “That Guy” or “That Woman” to your customers. Make the interaction something to remember and give everyone a reason to come back again. It’s not about the budget, it’s about the interaction. Oh, and when you interact, give those you meet a reason to remember you, and not a business card (unless you have one done by Hugh Macleod).

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

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

I was talking to a potential client last week who was lamenting the fact that a previous unsolicited direct mail program had only a .33% success rate after the first month. Traditionally, direct mail has a 1-2% response rate. So, after one month, my prospect was one-third of the way there. If there had been some sort of follow-up, I believe his 1% goal could have been attained.

Unfortunately, he chose to terminate the program because it did not give him the desired return. What he failed to realize, however, was that his direct mail campaign was not given a chance to mature. With any program, unless there is a strong negative response, or no response at all, it needs time to ferment and mature.

The lesson here is that one shouldn’t expect a huge response to any given marketing or advertising program. Instead, expect a response rate that over time will yield a decent response.

Bottom line, if you shoot for the moon, be happy if you get out of the atmosphere.

POWER ON–Mark

Are you or your business on:

Facebook?

Linkedin?

Twitter?

Plaxo?

Digg?

Do you-

Have a blog?

Website?

Leave comments on similar blogs or websites you can interact with?

Understand social Media?

If you answered "no" or "what is that" to the majority of the above questions, take some time to do what yoou need to do to learn and participate.

Let me know how I can help.

POWER ON–Mark

Atomic Penny, in conjunction with Adams G3 Collision Repair and UVU Athletics, is pleased to announce the First Annual Community Share Night on December 5, 2009. Community Share Night is being held to recognize the efforts of community organizations in the Utah Valley area. This event will be held at the UVU vs. San Jose State basketball game in the McKay Events Center.

The featured community organization will be Turning Point, and the Womens Resource Center a resource for non-traditional students who have faced hurdles in returning to school and rejoining the business community.

Additionally, local community organizations will be present to provide information pertaining to the services that are provided to the citizens of Utah County. Your partnership dollars will provide valuable assistance to these organizations.

As a local business, we are offering you the opportunity to be a part of this special event. Partnerships are being offered for a pre game dinner, 2 media timeouts (6 total partnerships) and halftime festivities. Partnership levels are:

• Time-out Sponsor  : $250 plus a  prize to be given away ($50 minimum value) 6 Available. Recognition during the time out, partnership information on handouts, opportunity to nominate community organizations.
• Pregame Dinner for Spotlight Organization and Sponsors: $500 (2 Available) Recognition at pre-game dinner, partnership information on handouts, opportunity to nominate community organizations.
• Halftime Sponsor $400 plus a prize to be given away ($50 minimum value) 2 Available. Recognition of Partnership during halftime festivities, partnership information on handouts, opportunity to nominate community organizations.

As partners, tickets to the game will be made available and you are encouraged to invite family, friends, and clients to this exciting event.

At halftime, there will be a special presentation courtesy of Adams G3 Collision Repair to a very deserving individual. Halftime sponsorships will assist us in bringing this presentation to reality.

All monies collected (with the exception of supply costs) will be distributed to participating community organizations.

Plan now to be a part of this exciting event. For more information and to sign up as a partner, please contact Atomic Penny at 801-995-5550 or via email at atomicpenny@gmail.com. Response requested by October 28, 2009.

Remember mailing in box tops or UPC symbols in exchange for a prize when you were a kid? Redeeming multiple purchases for a premium incentive might seem archaic now, but the concept will never die. In fact, the advent of the Internet has replaced proofs of purchase with market data. Companies realized that obtaining the demographics and contact information of their buyers via online promotions was easy, cost-effective and invaluable.

People have received countless prizes and won innumerable contests simply by giving their name and email address to the business hosting the giveaway. So what key components of previously successful giveaways should you consider for your own online promotion?

First, you must determine your goal. For most, it is to obtain contact information. You might also want to increase blog comments, connections on a social network, downloads of an e-book, etc. The reasons are endless, but should all be considered when contrasting to the next concern — the reward.

Apply the basic principal of rewarding behavior. Issue a valuable prize that is worth participants’ effort. Moreover, make sure that the likelihood of winning that prize is plausible. Also, consider intermittent rewards to encourage consistent participation.

Lastly, make sure that the entry requirements are not too demanding. The more difficult it is to participate, the less reaction you will receive.

Here is a great article that houses several free or low-cost online tools that you might use for your next contest:
http://www.stay-comm.com/blog/2009/9/9/with-todays-online-contest-platforms-anyone-can-run-an-effec.html

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Make sure to enter the Atomic Penny social networking contest today! For every 50 people who join the Facebook fan page or LinkedIn group, I’ll randomly pick a winner to receive a $25 gift card to places like Best Buy, Fandango, or Amazon. The more people that join, the better your odds are of winning. The sky is the limit, so make sure to invite your friends!

POWER ON
Mark