Step up, be strategic

It more difficult than ever for organizations to reflect on their messaging and define their strategy for what they are saying, why, and to whom. Unfortunately, most communications departments are maxed out on simply keeping up with the tactical needs of sales forces and senior executives. This leaves even the most able performers often too[…]

Your brand needs a screenplay

Organizations on the rise have a clear compelling story to tell, which is engaging to their audience, while being authentic to them. When companies lose the plot of their own story, that is when they start to die. Similarly, up-and-coming organizations that fail to comprehensively articulate their story fall short of achieving their full potential.[…]

Professional Dis-position: How professionals consistently fail to position themselves effectively

Professionals are notoriously bad at brand marketing. Consider the case of chiropractors, who often buy their marketing materials from a prefab supplier of who “specializes” in their segment. It’s convenient no doubt, but hardly effective in differentiating yourself from competitors, who are, by the way, other chiropractors. But architects, lawyers and accountants may not be[…]

Writing case studies: sometimes more is more

Marketing writing is often about compression. How quickly and succinctly can we get our message across? But these speedy, smooth sentences can some times leave out the kind of detail that specialized audiences connect with. Case studies can provide the platform to expand on your offering and show how your solutions works in real world[…]

Messaging the impossible: People Unlimited dares to own its difference

One of my clients, People Unlimited (www.peopleunlimitedinc.com), promotes an idea that most people consider impossible – physical immortality. Only a very very small minority of people feel that given the right conditions – open outlook, supportive people, healthy living – the body can continue without end. I happen to be one of them. As you[…]

The benefits of being good: positioning social consciousness for bottom line impact

One of our clients has a serious branding challenge — they’re doing real good in the world. Almost every company has some charitable giving or community service component. But, ironically enough, when doing good is fundamental to your brand, it can actually raise questions regarding both intent and quality. We messaging strategists are always looking[…]

Innovators: identify your audience, ignore everyone else

Broad based appeal isn’t always the answer, especially for innovators. A marketing agency I’ve written for for several years started including me in their own positioning discussions to help with their messaging strategy. Their owner is a serial innovator. He loves integrating new technology into marketing. He’s got a gift for it. As a result,[…]

Collaboration: honesty is the accelerator

I was recently in a meeting with a financial services company to help them develop strategic messaging. One member of their marketing team kept making absurd suggestions. Either he wasn’t paying attention, or he was stoned, or he was simply obsessed with playing out metaphors — birds, wings, flight, horizons – related to the company[…]