Sunday, February 4, 2007

Fear is the Enemy: Learn to Play the Game

Over the years, I've had a plethora of great ideas. Some have been exceptional, some have been good, and some have been. That's a story for another day.

Know what stopped my best ideas in their tracks? Fear. Fear of failure, fear of ridicule, fear of retribution, fear of lawsuits, fear of being thought silly, stupid, ignorant, inexperienced, (fill in the blank: fear of _______).

Now, however, as I've gotten older, I take a different approach to business, and especially to Marketing.

It's a game.

Life's a game that comes at you. You and I have the same types of opportunity to resolve issues as everyone else.

An old teacher, many years ago--when discussing my attributes in math--said, "Some get it sooner, some get it later, and some don't get it." I never got what I needed because I was fearful.

What aspects of marketing create fear in you?

Friday, February 2, 2007

readin, ritin, and rithmetic

Thanks to all the pundits out there that have visited and asked via email--"Where are you?"

Well, boys and girls-- kids and kiddies--Mr. Jackson has been earning some hard earned Benjamins. And by the way, Tulsa Tootsie, or whatever your real name is, I didn't like your email comparing my first name to that other Jackson. Come on, that's his last name.

There's no reaction from this Jackson to that Jackson, whatsoever. Let him move wherever he wants. I'm with W.C. Fields on this--Children should be seen and not heard.

Some other emails I received while laboring in the salt mines were of more value. Nancy Amada, by the way, I'm pleased you find my writing to be of value. Thousands have, over the years. Too many to count, really. One must think you to be bright and resourceful.

On the marketing scene, this whole sickeningly unacceptable video marketing craze seems to be gaining strength. Dear God. Heaven knows that there are some interesting video offerings popping up on websites--and then, there are just some village idiots putting trash out to see how many people will view it. It's ok to view it; push their ratings through the roof--after all, it's entertainment. Jackson is reminded of the slogan, "Your Village Called. Their Idiot is Missing."

Was it a long distance call?

Entertainment can open doors, but it's rarely considered marketing unless a true message is conveyed. Don't argue with Jackson on this...we've done marketing, and we've known entertainers, and most of them aren't marketers. They hire brilliant and resourceful people like me to help them.

What's the message that video conveys-- even an idiot can be successful? Ha!

For my money, there will always be writers and there will always be readers. The writers must create in the mind of the reader a need--and that's why I'm becoming more of an objective supporter of this article marketing thing. It takes what old line marketers have done for years, but it seems to simplify it for newcomers, and puts the links out for the world. Readers can accept it or reject it, but here's the bottom line--it puts an issue to a valid test in the mind of the reader; one must think about what is written.

Perhaps the true issue is that many no longer think for themselves?

I've published several articles in the last few weeks and I'm trying out a series of article marketing sites to see if there is a benefit to using one specific site.

So far, it appears--and this is first blush, mind you--that the site at ArticleMarketer.com has the edge in functionality. This site seems to have the business end of article distribution figured out. The price--although Jackson can't imagine having to pay to have his articles read by his audience--seems right, all things considered. If you've used others, please let me know your thoughts.

The group doing the editing (oh, dear God...Editors!) seem to understand what I'm attempting to convey to the marketing and sales neophytes of the world and, consequently, don't entirely butcher my writing and attack my finely-honed skills--creating gutless writing and appeals to panderers. The distribution seems to be fairly broad, and believe me, at my age, any broad is a good broad.

Stay tuned and see if this is a fluke in my thinking or if this is a real opportunity. Believe me, Jackson will share the outcome.

It all boils down to readin, 'ritin, and 'rithmetic.