Mailers: It Pays to Test Paper Stock

Whenever our team meets with a client to review results and current best practices for mailing, we inevitably hear the same question: how can we lower our printing and postage costs? It is a pain point to write that check to the printer, plus, the USPS requires postage payment upfront – there is no getting Read More Mailers: It Pays to Test Paper Stock

The YOU in Team

The retail landscape has become more complicated over the years, but as direct marketers, our mission remains the same: to find a group of people that desires a set group of products or services and lead them to a place where they can learn more about them (a store, website, etc.). I call it “inviting Read More The YOU in Team

Print and Catalog Marketing: A Smart Choice in a Crowded Digital World

The adage, “everything old is new again” applies to many industries, and ours is no different. Catalog and print marketing, after years in decline, are experiencing a resurgence in the consumer marketplace.  As consumers are facing an increasing barrage of emails and other digital remarketing efforts, the role of targeted catalog and print programs as Read More Print and Catalog Marketing: A Smart Choice in a Crowded Digital World

Add a Million to Your Bottom Line

Most catalog companies today waste thousands of dollars, if not millions, in over mailing catalogs to their customers and prospects. Most industry pundits who make this observation simply recommend eliminating mailings to those buyers that they deem responsive to digital marketing or to less responsive segments. Such reductions often result in significant loss of sales, Read More Add a Million to Your Bottom Line

One Company, One Brand, One Message

Juggling the chaotic demands of digital, wholesale, retail and print campaigns all at once can be, at times, a very daunting task. Sale channels individually can have different leaders, budgets, timetables, outcomes and priorities that can make extremely it difficult for a company to project a clear, timely message to their customers. Absence of clear Read More One Company, One Brand, One Message

Summer To-Do List: Deep Work with a Beach Ball

In my closing session at last month’s CohereOne Integrated Marketing Summit, I shared several concepts from authors’ work whose messages have significantly influenced my strategic branding work.  In case you missed the Summit (a wonderful gathering of curious, smart and growth-oriented marketers, merchants and creatives!), may I suggest you add this excellent and thought-provoking book Read More Summer To-Do List: Deep Work with a Beach Ball

Attention Retailers: Be Mindful of Your Moments

In less than six weeks, this retail holiday season will be over. The season you and your brand leaders have strategized, forecasted, sweated over and meticulously orchestrated. No doubt, right now all hands are on deck as calls, orders and customers walk through your doors or enter your web portals. I wish you well. I Read More Attention Retailers: Be Mindful of Your Moments

Date Night or Date Life? The Most Beloved Brands Are in It for The Long Haul!

Talk to marriage experts and they’ll tell you one of the secrets of a long-lasting relationship is having a weekly date night with your mate – time to focus on each other like you did in the glory days of new love. I understand the thought behind this practice and it’s well-intentioned. I happen to think that Read More Date Night or Date Life? The Most Beloved Brands Are in It for The Long Haul!

KNOW PAIN. KNOW GAIN. 10 Ways Brand Leaders Win by Leveraging Customer Pain Points – Part 2

Last week, we discussed the evergreen topic of customer pain points (click here to read part one). Today we continue that discussion with the second part of my 10-point plan to leverage these pain points in creating meaningful, relevant and engaging brand experiences.   6. Think Like a Publisher. Harry Potter may have started out as Read More KNOW PAIN. KNOW GAIN. 10 Ways Brand Leaders Win by Leveraging Customer Pain Points – Part 2

KNOW PAIN. KNOW GAIN. 10 Ways Brand Leaders Win by Leveraging Customer Pain Points – Part 1

“Customer pain is the ultimate renewable resource,” Jon Burgstone writes in Breakthrough Entrepreneurship. In this fast-paced world of change and flux, one thing remains for certain: the subject of customer pain points is an evergreen topic for all brand leaders, merchants and creative strategists. Those of us who make it our work to diagnosis these pain points Read More KNOW PAIN. KNOW GAIN. 10 Ways Brand Leaders Win by Leveraging Customer Pain Points – Part 1