This past week I attended the Cult Gathering marketing conference in Banff, a meeting of CEOs and marketing directors from global cult brand leaders. Cult brands don’t just have customers, they have fans and brand evangelists who do much of their marketing for them through word of mouth online and off, and through earned media and publicity. In fact, most spend very little on … [Read more...]
Influencers versus thought leaders
There is a fundamental difference between influence and “thought leadership.” I’ve been spending some time this week getting a better grip on the social media platforms for my new travel writing blog, CarryOnQueen.com. I registered the names back in March, and had the basic visual identity created in June, but I’m still very much flushing out content and gaining a following on … [Read more...]
When mavericks and misfits make millions
I’ve always had an affinity for rule breakers. Call them mavericks or misfits, people who obey the rules selectively, push boundaries where they can get away with it, and have the self confidence to chart their own course, deserve credit for oftentimes shaking up an industry for the better. Among others playing it safe, they’re the disruptors. Regular readers will know I … [Read more...]
5 Tips for earning media quotes
First I got a call, then a text during a meeting. Recognizing it was a reporter, and seeing the timeliness of the request, I excused myself at the next break, replied initially, became informed, and then articulated an opinion in order to respond to the reporter’s questions. They were writing an article on celebrity endorsements, particularly featuring men, in the age of the … [Read more...]
How to create talk triggers that make your business memorable
A talk trigger is something about your business that is remarkable, repeatable, relevant and really simple. Whether strategic in nature or discovered through customers posting and talking online, talk triggers can vault you into a distinct category of your own, where competitors can’t touch you, and you spend far less on paid advertising then them. Sounds like a pretty good … [Read more...]
