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From Known to Unknown: the Art of Innovation
New ideas are only found in surprise. Before Thomas Edison demonstrated the electric lamp on 31 December 1879, he was a laughingstock in the press. "I have not failed," he famously said, "I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." To innovate something new, Edison had to leave behind what he already knew. New ideas are only found in surprise. What you already know will not help you discover anything new, unless you take your knowledge into the unknown. There [...]
Marketing Yourself – now an Audiobook!
It took me an extra two years to get around to it, but I finally recorded Marketing Yourself as an audiobook. If you're the type of person who prefers to listen to your book, then let me read you a story: https://marketingyourselfbook.com/audiobook
With content creation, quantity begets quality.
Multiple revisions make better content. Every draft is another chance to get it perfect. But once you stop, you are stuck with what you've got. Sometimes I publish fast - when you're prolific and you like to publish, it's easier to tweet out an idea than write a list of dozens of revisions. "Done is better than perfect" can be good advice for a short video. But if you want to create something high quality, sometimes the quickest path is [...]
What most marketing gets wrong
When it's time to market yourself, promote your products, and sell your services, most marketing tells a story about the business. This is a common mistake. "When you're going to the market with what you're selling, everybody doesn't care." - Seth Godin Image courtesy of Lucasfilm But you are not the hero of your customer's story. Your role is Obi-Wan, the wise mentor who equips the hero to go on a journey. If you are willing to take a [...]
6 Life Lessons Taught Through Improv
Recently I taught an improv workshop at the local repertory theatre. We played many fun games, rapid games which sharpened our wits and made us laugh. What made this workshop work so well was the bell. Whenever the bell sounded, two things happened: Everyone onstage took a bow and went offstage, and Everyone in the audience clapped. This gave a positive, uplifting, and successful finish to each game. Every skit was an intellectually and emotionally demanding experience. The frequent applause [...]
Your marketing can suck less.
Does your marketing suck too much? Your marketing can suck less - less of your time, your money, and your emotions. (Hat tip to Dr. Michelle Mazur who has a fabulous newsletter called Make Marketing Suck Less. Check it out here. ) Marketing Automation is the process of articulating, standardizing, and automating every step in the Customer Journey - the path from stranger to customer. Automation keeps you from repeating yourself. The time you spend making systems earns you exponentially more [...]