Responsibility Campaign Gains Ground - Smart Marketing Move

This week’s Smart Marketing Move goes to Liberty Mutual.

In an ever increasing environment of disrespect, lack of civility, and self-centered attitudes it is not only refreshing to see the Liberty Mutual Insurance's campaign built around responsibility, but highly motivating.

Responsibility is not easily defined, but Liberty Mutual expressed it very well visually in an impressive manner in their commercials. They then followed it up through efforts throughout their company even down to the grass roots where the idea touched a nerve in thousands as seen by the response the company received, unsolicited, from the public. They continue to encourage positive action by all of us. Their management not only deserves kudos, they get our: "Smart Marketing Move" Award because they proved how being smart and caring pays off.

Here's one commercial for Liberty Mutual:



Lesson Learned: Your core values as a company and a person can be reflected in your marketing. It can span from TV, radio, print, and grassroots marketing. This can turn into word of mouth marketing which is one of the most powerful sources for any company. But be careful, make sure everyone in your company is on the same page, an employee's bad attitude will make your campaign feel dishonest to customers and bad word of mouth is even worse.

Good Business Card Example - Smart Marketing Move

This week’s Smart Marketing Move goes to Menz’s Restaurant!

They won this award because they made a smart move with their business card. It’s not the plain ol’ card with just their name, logo, and contact info. Yes, it’s on there, but they also included more information, which is great for a person just learning of their restaurant.

First off, they are located in a town outside of a vacation town in southern NJ. So, they’re off the beaten path for tourists but they get a lot of business and their card helps! Below is their business card:

How does their business card help with business? They’ve maximized their space by making it a folding card, just that move doubled their space. They’ve even used the back, which is space that is usually wasted on most cards. All of which influences customers.

They have also included what they specialize in. Unlike the business card dumb marketing move, to view it click here, they have told everyone that they are a restaurant and bar but have also included that they serve seafood, steaks, and poultry. Now you know what type of restaurant it is and that there is something for everyone!


Finally, which I have rarely seen, they included a map and directions! What a genius idea, not all vacationers have internet to look up directions when their on vacation. Since they are offshore from vacation homes and hotels, they have included 5 of the closest tourist towns. Overall, I think Menz Restaurant and Bar made all the right moves with their business card. Take notes! Here's a Bad Business Card Design.


Lesson Learned: Maximize the space on your business card to tell others about your company. It doesn’t have to be a folded card, but don’t forget about the back of your business card. Also, tell people who you are, what you do, and how your business can help them.

Smart Marketing Move - Ready Made Magazine

This week's Smart Marketing Move goes to Ready Made Magazine.

They are a great example of consumer interaction. Ready Made is a niche magazine directed towards do-it-yourselfers. Their readership makes things, whether it is refurbishing a chair or learning to sew a button. Ready Made is not only heavily involved in social media but they also get their readers submitting project ideas.

The best part about this, they will publish your ideas, give you credit with your  name and photo in the magazine in a section called "Maker of the Month." Who wouldn't want their name in the bright lights? This not only builds loyalty from the one reader, but they will also tell their friends and family that they made it into the magazine. It gets everyone talking which is a great way to spread their brand through word of mouth. And it doesn't cost anything!

They also have a section on their website called "I made this" another little way to unite readers with their brand and another great way to show off your fun little projects. You can post a photo of what you made, put a little description and other users can comment but only if they have a user name. This also gives them a rich database of their target market. Way to go Ready Made!

Lesson Learned: Fan, Readers, and Customer interaction is key to building your brand through word of mouth. Ask yourself, how can I get my customers to comment on a project, interact with other customers, and share feedback all while giving them a little way to show off to the world? A blog might be a good place to start the conversation. Also, don't forget to start a way to gather emails from your most loyal customers. Take it from Ready Made, it works.