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{A "Smart Thought" (quotation) is a succinct way of stating a powerful point. How one interprets that point impacts the actions one takes.}

Quote: "The second half of a man's life is made up of nothing but the habits he has acquired during the first half." ~ Feodor Dostoevski

Smart Thought: In business build good habits and they will become second nature. Like networking with two people a week, calling old contacts to reconnect, make lists of your to-do's, and prioritize. Then you'll never have to force yourself to do it once you get going.

If you have a Smart Thought you'd like to express with your interpretation email MarketingSmartly@aol.com, with the subject line SMART THOUGHT SUBMISSION. At the end of each month, we'll choose one for a small but stimulating prize.

Differentiate Your Business From Your Competition - Smart Marketing Move

This week’s Smart Marketing Move goes to Southwest!

Last week Spirit got the Dumb Marketing Move Award and Southwest is getting their Smart Marketing Move Award because they are playing off of Spirit’s weaknesses and the changes they are implementing. This is a clear campaign of differentiation marketing.

Southwest has commercials that are boldly stating that they will never charge their customers for carry on bags or any checked bags. One commercial uses plan old facts, the other humor! They are personalizing their commercials, which is what everyone wants. Consumers don’t want corporate America, they want to know why should they use your airline, and what is it doing for me? Even if they do charge for bags on the ticket price, they are not nickel and diming you like the other airlines. Smart Move SouthWest.

Here are some of their recent commercials




Lesson Learned: Differentiating your company can be a powerful tool. Compare your company with other local and/or national companies. What are you doing better? What are you proud of? Once you’ve figured that out, tell EVERYONE.

{A "Smart Thought" (quotation) is a succinct way of stating a powerful point. How one interprets that point impacts the actions one takes.}


Quote: "The man who moved a mountain is the one who started taking away the small stones." - Chinese proverb

Smart Thought: Don't get overwhelmed by big projects, in business or in personal life. Break them down into small steps and actions and you will start to see progress you didn't expect.


If you have a Smart Thought you'd like to express with your interpretation email MarketingSmartly@aol.com, with the subject line SMART THOUGHT SUBMISSION. At the end of each month, we'll choose one for a small but stimulating prize.

Enhancing Your Brand with a Celebrity - Smart Marketing Move

This week’s Smart Marketing Move goes to Geico.

They’ve had a lot of good ads in the past, even one that they attempted to turn into a TV show, the cavemen. But this time they went a different direction, rather than going with a mascot like their gecko, they had a TV commercial that featured a country music star.

I don’t listen to country, so I don’t really know many or any of the stars. While I was doing laundry at the Laundromat, they had on the Country Music Awards and right before the opening segment Geico had this 30 second commercial run.





I thought that’s funny, someone who plays the fiddle, that got my attention. Then as the CMA’s started, the same guy came out and jammed out a song. I’m not sure if this part was planned, but he was wearing the same thing in the commercial as he was at the awards. Immediately, my mind went back to the Geico commercial. So Kudos Geico! You did a nice job integrating your commercial into a very large event with a very large audience and it stuck to someone who wasn’t even a fan!

Lesson Learned: Celebrities can really enhance your company or brand’s stickiness. Although Geico definitely has money to invest, think about your local celebrities on the radio or on TV. Approach them with an idea of how you want them to represent your company/brand and see your brand recognition soar!

Strengthening Customer Relationships

My father was a manufacturer's representative for 48 years and he had a loyal following. He achieved that in part through some very simple practices.

Always send a thank you note after engaging a customer. He hand wrote them but just the act of doing so was always appreciated because it was so rare. 

When calling on someone look around you and see if there are photos or mementos of a hobby or particular interest. Then when you see something on those areas of interest forward it to them. It shows a depth of interest beyond just making a sale. 

Remember to "Go the extra mile for you will never find it crowded."

{A "Smart Thought" (quotation) is a succinct way of stating a powerful point. How one interprets that point impacts the actions one takes.}

Quote of the Week: "I praise loudly, I blame softly." - Catherine II
 
 
Smart Marketing Thought: Research has shown praise given sincerely is far more successful motivator of people than cash or material rewards. A combination of both can be a 'home run."


If you have a Smart Thought you'd like to express with your interpretation email MarketingSmartly@aol.com, with the subject line SMART THOUGHT SUBMISSION. At the end of each month, we'll choose one for a small but stimulating prize.