personal branding

An August YouTube Quickie

Peter · August 17, 2015 · Leave a Comment

A YouTube Quickie? No, This Isn’t That Sexy. But…

And, yes, this post is kinda random. I’m just hanging out at my desk wondering if I want to work today. We are day something like 60 for mostly rain-free Portland Oregon. Crazy summer out here! It helps that we are America’s beer capital.

A friend turned me on to this video from YouTube Advertisers: Go Behind The Scenes with David Droga and Emily Anderson. Nice idea to get us thinking about how YouTube advertising isn’t same old same old TV. But, you know that so it’s unfortunate that this video tidbit doesn’t deliver any decent info or inspiration (sorry, David but TV pre-YouTube wasn’t a cul-de-sac for real creative folks. My late 80’s Saatchi teams won sweet awards for two broadcast clients that went way beyond your reference to Formula 1. Pleaaaase… the good old days were actually good and demanded the type of thinking you do today. Thinking big not start in 2005 when YouTube was born.)

But, the video did introduce me to Ogilvy’s Emily Anderson, which makes it all worth while. Watch the video and then read on.

Emily Anderson

Droga we know. Anderson? So, I dug in a bit and found a Creative Director who could have a super dream job of creating high-budget long-form content. And, the work and energy is damn good. Check out her CV website below.

After the work and personal energy, the thing I most dug is her URL: www.littleenglishgenius.com/ The English are much more cheeky than we are. They are also not afraid to promote themselves. If you are a genius, tell your clients. Droga and Anderson do that. Trump does that. Just like the American electorate, clients are a bit short of time and need to have YOU tell them that you are a genius. Just tell them that – they want to hear it. Yes, I am a genius too.

Last thought:

It’s summer so go visit Emily’s Montauk. Note, you won’t have to screw around with combat L.I.E. traffic to get there.

An Advertising, PR, Marketing, SEO, Design & Sales Listicle

Peter · July 9, 2015 · Leave a Comment

Advertising, Marketing, Design Tool Freak Listicle Lovers Unite

I am starting to see lots of lists (OK, listicles) of tools for marketers and advertising folks. I love these lists because a real human being has curated the list so I don’t have to spend hours Googling the marketing world. Curation is a good thing. Lists are a good thing. I like humans more than algorythms.

Here Are Three Favorite Marketing Tools Lists

Um, yes, this list itself is a mini-list.

MAQTOOB

As of today, MAQTOOB lists 1,482 tools that cover 112 categories. Here’s what they say:

We want to help you with one single thing. Being your own boss and having control of your own time and money. That’s it. You will find here the best available tools to start and grow your business. If not, let us know what’s missing, or help other entrepreneurs by sharing your feedback…So we can all make a difference.

How about 43 website builders? 79 design resources? 7 ways to make infographics?

Freebie Supply

Ali Mese is one of the smarter self-marketers out there. His looong list that covers: Business, Marketing, Design & Code, Productivity and Learn is made for you Ms. marketer / advertising person / designer and on. Here’s what he says:

I’m a freelance marketer and blogger.

Storytelling, entrepreneurship, and wandering pretty much summarize the things I am passionate about. Recently, I moved from Rome to amazing Singapore to explore Asian countries and learn more about their incredible cultures.

And…

Growth Supply is… my base for things like my newsletter and where I plan to place my side projects such as Freebie Supply.

Razorsocial

Ian Cleary’s Razorsocial is my go-to list of digital tools. His list covers 15 marketing categories. It is very list-like but also includes his words of wisdom (read the blog). The website and tutorials are oriented towards online marketers. He keeps the lists up to date and, if you follow him like I do, you will look smarter than the ad guy down the street. And, isn’t that a positive bene? What he says:

Are you struggling finding the time to be effective with social media and online marketing?

Finding it difficult to find the best online marketing tools and the best process to deliver results?

We are here to help you achieve better results and become more productive with online marketing using the best tools and technology.

We are not the strategy people, we are the tools and technology people.

Even more tools, especially ones that I think will work for advertising professionals are right here. Yes, you can use these to spy on Droga5.

How To Make Big Money After Advertising

Peter · June 25, 2015 · Leave a Comment

The Truth About ‘After Advertising’

There are actually people making a very good living after leaving advertising. Yes, I know this is hard to imagine. LOL.

Want more? Many are doing this while sitting under a palapa drinking margaritas as the money hits their bank accounts. These folks are smart enough to know how to use their MacBook Pro to leverage the power of online business to grow their very own cool lifestyle. They are not working for the man (and I mean guys like Sir Martin Sorell.)

I realize that this can sound like a pipe dream. One of those ‘I wish’ kinda thinking. But, I know from personal experience that it can happen.

Friday Is Coming / Time For A Food Truck?

So, this Friday when you are sitting at your desk wondering if there is a better way than writing dog biscotti ads, I want you to visit Smart Passive Income and hear how Pat Flynn does exactly what I’m talking about. Ok, Pat isn’t doing all of this from under a palapa. But, he will tell you how you can. The link goes directly to Pat’s income reports. He is 100% transparent about his business — another thing to like him for. Read Pat’s blog and you will see why I mention food trucks.

“How Pat Flynn Made His First $3 Million In Passive Income”

If you need a head start, read Pat’s sweet story in this Forbes interview.

I Bet You Can’t Read or Write (Code)

Peter · June 14, 2015 · Leave a Comment

Sorry, You Can’t Read Or Write

I can’t and neither can you (most likely).

Here’s the drill. Virtually everything you do or rely on these days is controlled by computer code. You phone, your car, your house, your relationships, your business, your leisure time, even the blueberries you buy in summer.

Oh, and, yes, all of the advertising and marketing you do for your clients.

So, when I say you can’t read or write I mean…

You Don’t Know What Code Is (And, Of Course, You Can’t Write It)

Look, I get it. My companies published early stage websites in the 1990’s = New Jersey Online (for Advance Publications) and websites for Microsoft and Nabisco (ala Journal Square Interactive). I was also the founder and CEO of ActiveBuddy which did natural language years ahead of Apple’s Siri and my agency dove head first into all things digital.

BUT… I am code illiterate and it held me back. [Read more…] about I Bet You Can’t Read or Write (Code)

Gary Vaynerchuk: Old School Advertising Agency CEO

Peter · June 5, 2015 · Leave a Comment

Gary Vaynerchuk: Old School Advertising Agency CEO

What does ‘old school’ mean? Well, one of the things is having a personality and being able to express it in such a powerful and interesting and enrgetic way that prospective clients just have to….

…Make The “I want you” Call

This agency video (actually a Digiday interview) makes me want to call up and give VaynerMedia some business. Does your agency video act as a brand-building business development tool? Do you want to be famous? Gary has always wanted to be famous and this obvious goal delivers big time for his agency’s growth. Watch and steal some of the energy.