What a great home page twitter.com is.
Really simple instructions with the What, Why and How.
In fact, nothing more needs to be said to start ups. Just click on the thumbnail below:
Category: Marketing Insight
Ideas are free
An excerpt from the blog of Seth Godin today. I had to post it:
“This isn’t about having a great idea (it almost never is). The great ideas are out there, for free, on your neighbourhood blog. Nope, this is about taking initiative and making things happen.”
Vicious circle
Do we…
Work in a job we don’t like
To buy things we don’t need
To impress people we don’t like
?
To be really happy we need to ensure one sub optimal arrangement doesn’t feed another. This holds true if we run our own business or hire our time out to a company (have a job).
Quote – Ben Rowe
I asked marketing polymath Ben Rowe his thoughts on Facebook in 2008 and if it is going to grow or decline…
Response
“Facebook is so 2007…. it’s just p2p spam. I reckon facebook is going to die a fairly fast death this year.”
Sure the jury is still out, but it wouldn’t be the first time Ben’s predicted the future of a brand or launch. It does seem that there was something very wrong when Zuckerberg referred to his ‘army of viral marketers’ he forgot one thing…. viral marketing is always done by people, not companies. Abuse them and lose them.
The gaping void view in December was this
I still think facebook is a great platform (especially the app’s component) which needs to take a few steps back before everyone disappears. It will be interesting to see how this one plays out.
Perception & reality
While in the airport I noticed that budget airline Virgin Blue had made their customers board the plane via stairs on the tarmac as opposed to using the aero bridge. Here’s a photo I took:
The direct aero-bridge was open and connected to the plane. But instead they made their customers board via the tarmac. I can’t help but wonder if this is to help their customers feel like they really got a bargain price. Sometimes perception becomes reality.
Why retro works
I’ll admit it I’m a sucker for retro ideas and visuals – who isn’t? I think retro works because we already have formed memories and events both positive or negative which are brought to the surface when we see, feel or taste something that is old school or slightly retro.
It’s nearly a form of ‘cheating’ to gain am emotional link quicker, or even instantly. This is something new and innovative design and positioning can’t achieve – just because it’s new.
To me retro is really powerful when a brand or business ‘deserves’ to go there. Especially when it has a history worth reminiscing about. Battler brand Atari did this successfully with the Flashback console which was launched 25 years after the 2600 seen below. 
Obviously this is much harder for a start up, although we can use it in graphics, design or attitude, especially if our brand or market segment lends itself to a retro play. Feel free to add examples to the comments.
Get retro!
Hands on
Neighborhoodies founder and CEO ‘Michael’ sent this personalized postcard with a order.
Not that I’m enamored with receiving his signature, but it shows he’s in touch, involved and hands on.
Now that’s an important message to send to any business audience.