April 2004

Direct Mail Teaser Copy

by Michael Cage · 3 comments

in Uncategorized

Paul at Brand Autopsy wrote about being let down by direct mail teaser copy that misled him… He received a direct mail piece from Sports Illustrated with “Do Not Bend” on the envelope. After opening it, there was nothing inside to warrant the teaser. This is a dumb — even “rookie” — mistake by SI, ...

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The purpose of advertising is NOT exposure

by Michael Cage · 11 comments

in On Entrepreneurship

I like Roy Williams and I actually like most of this article. But something not said needs to be cleared up. Not for the article’s sake, but for the sake of small business owners who all too often buy into one of the worst myths about advertising. High rent accomplishes the same thing as advertising. ...

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QUOTE: Positioning and Success

April 27

A quote worth hanging where you can see it… “Success means never letting the competition define you. Instead, you have to define yourself based on a point of view you care deeply about.” Tom Chappell, founder of the personal care products company Tom’s of Maine From The Best Or Bust: How Are You Unique at ...

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Mark Cuban on Success and Motivation

April 26

These 3 posts on Success and Motivation from Mark Cuban (of Dallas Mavericks and Broadcast.com fame) are must reads. I remember Mark posting on John Audette’s I-Sales list many years ago, and I’m thrilled he’s still making his voice heard. Success and Motivation, Part I Success and Motivation, Almost Part 2 Success and Motivation, Part ...

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Carnival of the Capitalists

April 26

It’s up at Venturpreneur this week.

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Staples Customer Service

April 26

Had an interesting experience in my local Staples a few day ago. To set this up properly, I am in this place between 3 and 5 times a week. Usually in the evening. And the girl who usually rings me up asks me for identification… every time. I ask why, she says, “because I can’t ...

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The worthless Mission Statement

April 21

I’m a little late commenting on this one, but here goes… Over at Worthwhile, David Weinberger did a bit on mission statements. I’m going to set aside what he suggests should be in a mission statement for my own contribution… Mission Statements SUCK. Two reasons why: As an internal document designed to guide the troops, ...

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Introvert Entrepreneurs (and related stuff)

April 21

Rob at BusinessPundit posted about Introversion, Anxiety and Entrepreneurship. Read it, then pop back here for some commentary. While psychological profiles can be a useful tool (I recommend the Kolbe test for employee hires, for example) it is dangerous to assume the result of the test as an identity statement. All too often they are ...

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Customer service… ugh!

April 21

I do a lot of business with Kinko’s. They are (usually) terrific for last minute print jobs, particularly now that they will price match quoted jobs. Tonight, I dropped off an order for them at 12:20am. I wanted it by Thursday; just a hair under 48 hours. I was told I was too late to ...

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Advertising is dead?

April 21 On Entrepreneurship

Lately, I’ve run across a lot of folks proclaiming advertising doesn’t work. Boggles my mind. I consistently make money when advertising, and my clients do as well. So where does this come from? People who don’t know how to advertise. Folks like me hope folks like them keep spreading their message.

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