Folks, no matter what your preference is politically, we really need to stand united and firm as a nation in the midst of these difficult times upon us.

Fear is in the hearts of many but it is “We the People” who can and will ensure our country will remain one of the greatest of all times with the blessing of God.

Keep your faith in America, your state, your communities, your neighbor, yourself, our future, and we will bring forth the solutions needed, the leadership and the innovation again.

Buy American made and supporting LOCAL American businesses is not hard for us to do.

We will not be counted OUT by the world. What our troops are doing right this minute defending this country here and abroad is not in vain! God bless America

This is a great example of how creating and leading with relevant stories built around the lifestyles of your target market can be a hit like the campaign Toyota did with this targeting young, hip families.

They created an entire  “Swagger Wagon” destination to promote the Toyota Sienna. Notice they led with the lifestyle story not pushing boring specs on vehicle MPG’s, safety features, etc. No! They led with what today’s hip, young family does on a daily basis and how the Sienna is apart of the things that go on in their lifestyle.

Was it successful? You bet it is. They have had over a million views on their YouTube page alone and thousands of positive comments. It’s being shared around the globe in social networks and blogs (like myself) and other digital media sources.

NOW THAT IS 21^ST CENTURY MARKETING AND SELLING!

Website: http://toyotaswaggerwagon.com

YouTube Page: http://www.youtube.com/sienna

You may not be Toyota but you too can sell by leading with stories rather than the product or service you sell.

For many of us it conjures up memories and emotions of wholesomeness, family, fall colors, great food and of course, being thankful to God for all of the blessings we have.

Despite the fact Thanksgiving is just about being swept off the map and overshadowed as a major holiday these days…it will always be a significant holiday I will respect and honor in my lifetime.

I believe Thanksgiving 2009 offers up a special opportunity to those of us in business. No doubt it’s been a tough year for many of us here in the U.S. despite what the news says. I was just reading in my local paper that most folks say (that’s you and I not the talking heads) that the economy hasn’t hit bottom yet.  In fact, many were saying things like things like …

Don’t buy the bull! Anybody who thinks things are turning around is living in a dream world.

Worst yet to come. Hold on to your wallets folks. It’s only starting.

Something is very wrong in America. Have you ever known a federal government to do anything efficiently?

This one really hit home with me…

Stimulus didn’t work. No matter the media is reporting unemployment rose to 10.2 percent in October 2009, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. The economy shed 190,000 jobs in October for a total of 7.3 million jobs lost since the recession began in December 2007. That does not show any signs things are getting better. What are all those people doing to make a living now?

You can agree or disagree with these views but the point is the U.S. has had a tough year and many businesses have seriously felt the effects of those 7.3 million job losses and all the other things going on in the 2009 economy.

I point all this out to lead to what I call a “blessing in disguise for those of us in business”…and that blessing is wrapped up in this year’s Thanksgiving!

Why do I say this?

Well for starters, this holiday can be an extremely helpful milestone for us to look back over our should as to what the past 11 months held so we can learn from it. At the same it can be the pivotal point for looking forward to the new year and getting our bearings to make adjustments before the onslaught of the mad rush and stress the Christmas holidays and the New Year always bring no matter how hard we try to fight it off.

Think about it. If this is a part of your 2009 strategy, this alone could help transform your business for 2010!

But that’s not all. Thanksgiving also offers us the opportunity to reevaluate the heart of our business. What I mean is, in case you haven’t noticed, customers no longer will not accept lip service, status quo, missions statements, slick advertising or gimmicks and all that phony baloney stuff. What they want are businesses to walk their talk, demonstrate you deliver what you promise you will, be treated with respect and such. They want to be loved!

I know that may sound corny but it’s been said its one of the greatest need we humans have and we do some crazy things to try and get it. Why not sincerely give it to your customers… if it’s what they want? Thanksgiving can be the perfect time for you to fall in love with your customers again. It’s also a great time to redefine what kinds of customers you really enjoy working with too you know.

In addition, Thanksgiving is steeped in transition. Fall to winter, end to new beginning, and fast pace to slowing down. See the opportunities in transitions.

Every business that wants to succeed in the 21^st century needs to get very good at transitions. Business will never be the same as it was and as it continues to evolve and morph just like the seasons do, I believe anyone in business who does not embrace change in this new business era will likely not make it over the long haul. What transitions will you employ in your business for 2010? Keep in mind; transition without creative strategy is just busyness. Thanksgiving is a good time to seriously think about this and start planning.

Lastly, but not least…Thanksgiving 2009 holds incredible opportunity to transform your business because its very purpose is about being thankful and blessing others. Despite what has gone on with this lousy economy this year…anyone still in business, both large or small has many reasons to be thankful.

This has been one of the toughest times to be in business this country has seen in a long, long, time. Being thankful for our business, our employees (if we have them), or customers and vendors just does something magical to your outlook and purpose for being in business.

Business is people serving people. That’s why it even exists! People are at their best when they are thankful and that most certainly translates into their businesses.

Man, I love Thanksgiving and all the blessings God has bestowed upon me even though I have had one tough year in business. I also love I can have a business in the greatest country in the world, America.

Have a very ‘blessed’ Thanksgiving everyone.

That’s that I thought!

But to my dismay, a week later another one of those pesky dinosaur phone books showed up delivered to my doorstep once again without me having any say so in the ordeal. Well, I don’t have to tell you what became of this annoyance once again.

Here’s the thing though that bugs me more than having to throw away those phone books that continually make their way on my doorstep. It’s the huge WASTE this represents!

What a waste of money, resources (hello! TREES!) and the waste of the advertisers money they spent to have a presence in these bulky beasts of the past!

I haven’t used a phone book for searching for anything in years and I’m a baby boomer! Just think of the younger generations who are using digital devices connected at the hip. I can see the day coming very soon when my grand kids won’t even know what a phone book is.

Here’s another annoying side note. I get phone books from sources that have nothing to do with my phone service provider. So these are unsolicited deliveries. Isn’t that real-time SPAM? Otta be a law against that if there isn’t one already.

I could really address those companies producing and selling these useless mounds but rather I would like to use my time and efforts to address the businesses that are still using these antiquated means as a prominent way to market and advertise their business.

According to research from Webvisible and Nielsen, reported by Marketing Charts, 63% of consumers and small business owners go to the Internet first for information about local companies and services. And get this, 82% of them use search engines to find those businesses and services!

The survey also reported, 50% said search engines (Not phone books) were the first place they looked when seeking a local business, while 24% chose the Yellow Pages online directories.

It’s very clear phone books along with many other ‘old model’ methods of advertising and marketing are not only no longer the way your customer prefers to find you, but it’s also a very futile investment on your behalf and the return will not outweigh the costs. In other words…It’s no longer a good business decision!

Advertising is dead.

Traditional marketing is dead.

I have said many times before…we are in (not headed to) but in, a New Era for Business.

Old business models are crumbling, new business models are springing up and completely challenging both online and offline businesses all the while turning the marketplace upside down. If you are not seeing this…I would have to say you are dangerously disconnected or purposely ignoring the revolution going on out there.

In my many years of experience in consulting and coaching businesses, I have found the one’s to be in the most danger when it comes to business survival and growth in this digital 21^st century, are the local retail type businesses such as restaurants, cleaners, auto repair, entertainment & recreation, as well as services such as medical, home repair, attorneys, and such.

Most of these businesses are owned by the baby boomer generation group which I have found seems to be a bit let’s say…resistant to the digital transition. In all fairness, I realize most of these hard working folks are already overwhelmed running their business and don’t much care for the fact digital marketing requires more personal interaction and involvement then required using the old advertising and marketing methods of the past.

It also requires a learning curve so the business owner can be savvy to make the right strategic decisions to best position their business. They also need to be able to sort through all the hype and wanna-be marketers and marketing services out there.  They need help to do this. The good news is legitimate good help is there but they must take the steps to secure good council.

I personally believe if a business does not make digital marketing and positioning a priority, they stand to lose out big time to those who are and who will.

After all, the statistics are demonstrating clearly your customer is not participating in ‘old model’ marketing so why are you going to continue to spend your time and money to have a presence there? I welcome your comments.

Although I this one is last, it can be just as damaging for a business as the other three I have already covered.

I call this Business Suicide Mentality #4: The “I Don’t Have Too; I Don’t Want Too, I Will Not Change!” Mindset.

Yep, Change…it’s a word we all know yet often we find we are naturally opposed to the meaning of this word.  We find change is disruptive and unsettling, so we resist it.

The dictionary defines change as…

Change

to make the form, nature, content, future course, etc., of (something) different from what it is or from what it would be if left alone: to change one’s name; to change one’s opinion; to change the course of history.

to transform or convert

to transfer from one (conveyance) to another:

When it comes to business, resisting change can be a deadly mindset, especially in today’s economy! I can pinpoint some of my worst business decisions and business problems from not embracing or anticipating change in my business.

Here’s something interesting I have observed in the past few years as a digital strategy business consultant and coach. I am realizing many businesses are not really interested in understanding the great change which is occurring in the marketplace today.  Rather, they are more interested in maintaining status quo or using what I call the ‘band-aid’ approach. Read Seth Godin’s book Meatball Sundae: Is Your Marketing out of Sync?

The band-aid approach boils down to businesses taking a “patch-it-up” approach rather than a ‘reinvent it’ approach to their business operations. This process usually involves incorporating a few things which make them appear they are with it, or they are cutting edge (whatever that means) such as a website, some new customer service technology, a Facebook presence, etc. but in reality, they are still the same old company using the same old model, same old mindsets, and same old same old…just still the same.

I find this happening among entrepreneurs and with large businesses as well. Anyone locked into the old way of doing things, the old way of looking at things, and resisting the change necessary to be relevant to today’s market…will find using a band-aid approaches will not work for very long and often will backfire.

Here’s my observation and strong belief on what’s going on with the marketplace. The world has changed. I mean it just up and changed…fast! Therefore business has changed, marketing has changed, the customer has changed so it makes sense…your business has to change if you want to be profitable and stay the course. Yet, in all my years in working with businesses of all sizes have I seen such a resistance to change and yes, even a fear to embrace this changing economy we are experiencing every day.

As I have said before, 21^st century businesses are going to be those who are of a different cut, a different DNA. It does not matter what kind of business you have, from the local cleaners to a top line retailer, you are being forced to change in many ways you have not had to deal with in the past.

Some will have to create and redefine new business models for themselves. Some will have to hire completely outside of their industries and set aside their old hiring model standards (like requiring degrees) to get the kind of talent that can help transform their business. Some will have to invest in professionals and experts that can help them get re-educated and reposition their businesses. Some will have to invest in research and statistics to re-chart their course. Some will have to seek out strategic alliances in marketing, services, events, etc. to add value for their customers. All will have to fall in love with their customers, vendors, suppliers, etc. again. Sadly, some will have to just close the doors.

Change.

It is happening, and has happened already!

We can’t control it or stop it. The best we can do is to embrace it. Even better though, is to anticipate it.  To not give this serious thought and consideration is sealing your doom as a business. You simply will not be around if you don’t understand what is really going on in the marketplace today and embrace it and in some cases radically change to transform yourself into a New Era business.

As a business coach and consultant whose specialty is in digital marketing strategy and positioning, I believe many businesses can get a jump start on coming up to speed on all this by connecting and securing the services of the right professionals who offer services to help guide you and coach you.

A word of caution on this though, everybody says they are a social media or internet marketing expert these days. I saw this happen in the web development industry. We have had a web development company for 13 years now and have accumulated lots of experience and skills sets under our belt to in fact claim we are experts in this field. But more and more we begin to see everyone and his High School son was a web designer and this industry became saturated. Of course, most businesses don’t really know how to select a web development professional that will really give them an online business solution. So they look at price and the ‘shiny’ stuff to make that determination in most cases when in fact there is so much more that is vital to web success that most designers or developers don’t know how to deliver like…the marketing strategy defined and built-in to the website, marketing metrics to determine if what you are doing is working, a clear understanding on how to emotionally connect with the user so they will take desired actions, and on and on. Don’t get me started:)

My point is, no…not everyone who says they are a marketer, coach, consultant, guru, etc. are. If you want to really excel in making changes to reposition your business and are looking for outside help (which you should) I suggest you focus on three key areas for assistance. The first is strategy, the second is emotion, and lastly is creativity. These three elements are in my opinion the driving forces of business transformation. They are the jump off points to rethink your business and determine your new roadmap for change.

P.S. The most fearful and resistant business types I have come across regarding the drastic changes occurring in this crazy, evolving, marketplace are small business owners. Especially the baby boomer crowd (OUCH). It’s true though. And sadly, they are the major holders of small business ownership in the U.S. I’m not trying to make this a generational thing as I (and I say this with pride) am a baby boomer as well. But I fear this group has the most at stake here but offers the most resistance. I’m sure I will get some comments on this and I really welcome them!

Here in part two, I will address The Arrogance Mentality Mindset. This mentality is not as easy to put your finger on at first glance. Rather, it has the ability to rear its ugly head in many disguised forms.

For instance, I had the unpleasant encounter with this mentality during a business cold call activity I was engaged in recently. I had emailed the business owner (whose business I frequent) because I felt for sure I could help him increase his website marketing results. I introduced myself and let him know I would like to take him for coffee and get to know him a bit better and talk to him about some possible ways I could help them increase their business revenue. After a few days I got no response which is not an uncommon thing since anything could have happened to the email from SPAM filters to him actually deleting it.

I strategically took note of their least busy time during the day and paid him a visit. When he came out, he had this unfriendly look on his face but I proceeded to introduce myself and refer to my email, etc., but before I could finish my sentence he abruptly told me he was not interested and had no time to talk to me then turn and walked away from me! Needless to say, he not only was rude to me, he also talked very loud so others around could hear us and he embarrassed me.

Now, if you have ever done a cold call of any sorts you know they are not very fun in the first place and they are not for the faint at heart. With that said though, I find there is no reason to be ugly to people trying to connect with you.

Do you think I am going to spend my money there again? You think I am not going to tell my circle of friends about my experience? You bet I will. I certainly see his business in a whole different light after that incident.

As I said previously this is only one example of how arrogance can show itself to your customers, vendors, potential strategic partners, service providers, etc. It does not matter how arrogance is displayed…it’s a deadly mindset for a business to practice in today’s marketplace.

Why?

Well for starters, your brand does not belong to you. You have to get this if you want to participate in the new business era we are in.

Your brand (that is not just a logo, it’s everything that identifies your business, you product, your service) is now subject like never before to the conversations. Conversations that are going on everyday about your business…by someone.

Those conversations are being conducted by the people that interact with you and your business at many levels. From the board room, to the guy ordering at your drive-thru. And with the FREE and easy tools social media has given us all…those conversations can reach further and faster than ever thought and it can pick up passengers along the way that can and will be persuaded by the conversations concerning your brand even though they may have not had any firsthand experience with your brand. Crazy huh?

This is so powerful it must not be ignored. So powerful that you’re misbehaving, your lack of integrity, your “I don’t care about you” attitude and behavior can have deadly consequences for your business.

The dictionary describes arrogance as…

ar⋅ro⋅gance
-noun
offensive display of superiority or self-importance; overbearing pride.

With all the competition in the marketplace both online and offline, the social empowered new consumer, and the demand for integrity and transparency in business today…surely it’s clear why The Arrogance Mentality is such a bad business practice and mindset to have.

You never know who it is you’re dealing with these days you know. It could be a nationally syndicated blogger in your shop, or she may be the president of the company you have wanted to sell your widget too, or the son of your son’s boss.

Comon people, if you’re in business its an unspoken rule you never treat people rudely or unfriendly. What happened to professionalism and courtesy? Heck we should not be treating people badly anyway…period. But for businesses to engage in this practice…it’s flat out unacceptable.

One last thing…If you have employees doing this…fire them! If the leadership practices this…fire them! If it’s you…get a complacency check or fire yourself. If you don’t, your customers will do it for you eventually.

Stay tuned for Business Suicide Mentality #3: The Opposition Mentality.

]]> http://www.strategicbusinessdesigner.com/2009/06/business-suicide-mindsets-to-avoid-in-2009-part-2/feed/ 9 http://www.strategicbusinessdesigner.com/2009/06/business-suicide-mindsets-to-avoid-in-2009-part-1/ http://www.strategicbusinessdesigner.com/2009/06/business-suicide-mindsets-to-avoid-in-2009-part-1/#comments Thu, 11 Jun 2009 19:13:38 +0000 Hazel http://www.strategicbusinessdesigner.com/?p=365 Well…here we are about halfway through what has so far been an incredibly challenging and difficult year for many of us in business, from the giants like GM to the local auto detail shop.

Some have survived, and sadly some have not. Some have reinvented themselves and some are still doing the same things they have always done…resistant to any changes.

So what does the rest of 2009 hold for the marketplace here in the U.S.?

It depends on who you are listening to and what your mindset is. It really does not matter…

Well…here we are about halfway through what has so far been an incredibly challenging and difficult year for many of us in business, from the giants like GM to the local auto detail shop.

Some have survived, and sadly some have not. Some have reinvented themselves and some are still doing the same things they have always done…resistant to any changes.

So what does the rest of 2009 hold for the marketplace here in the U.S.?

It depends on who you are listening to and what your mindset is. It really does not matter if you are looking to the media; research firms, the government, or whomever for this information because it changes like a moving target. Staying tune with what is being reported may give you some insight on what the latest flavor of news is for sure. However, what really will determine what the rest of 2009 will look like for your business is your mindset.

Your thinking dictates your actions therefore taking regular assessments of your mindsets to ensure you are not sabotaging your chances for future success in this tough economy is a smart move for anyone in business today.

I am writing this series on the 4 mindsets that are sure to kill off a business in this new ‘social consumer powered’ era we have entered. Check to see if any of these are lurking around to hamper your success.

Business Suicide Mentality #1: The Status Quo Mindset

This mindset is really easy to recognize because it reeks of “just do what I have to and no more” and “don’t fix it if it isn’t broken”. This mindset is deadly because it gives the permission to stay the same, to resist change, to discourage innovation and creativity, to foster ‘lip service’ rather than genuine customer care. In addition, it breeds lame company cultures where employees don’t really care about the job… it’s nothing more than just a paycheck and they can’t wait until they are off the clock.

Businesses that operated with this particular mindset were able to get away with it and still stay in business at one time in our society. However, I strongly believe this type of business will be put out to the curb like yesterdays trash very soon. People (customers) are sick of lip service, lies, half efforts, poor customer service and being sold a bunch of blah, blah. Customers now have the power to not only be more selective but demand your business delivers on the level it should deliver. In fact…they want even more than that now. They want an experience…not just a transaction. They can get that anywhere both online and offline!

What is status quo? The dictionary defines status quo as…
Status quo
n. The existing condition or state of affairs
The existing order of things; present customs, practices, and power relations:

The sad reality is there are soooooooo many existing businesses suffering with this mentality. Why right here where I live I see it all the time!

Just last night a couple of my dear friends pried me away from my computer (I tend to get stuck in front of my monitor more than I like too admit) to take me out to dinner at a fairly new restaurant close to the Nissan Alley in East Franklin, TN.

It was a really nice place we had not ate at yet. Excitement filled the air as we were shown to our seats. Our waitress appeared in seconds with menus in hand but her demeanor was noticeably very unfriendly. Hey maybe she was just having a bad day, maybe this will get better right? Nope, actually it got worse!

As one of my friends was ordering, she proceeded to down talk him about the menu questions he asked and the way he was placing his order. I was stunned. Her cold and unfriendly manner to us was making us very uncomfortable. Instead of us having fun filled conversation we ended up discussing our disappointment and astonishment of the way we were being waited upon. As we waited for our food (over 45 minutes!) the evening slid downhill as far as our customer experience went. Finally we had enough. We called the waitress over and told her to cancel our order the wait was too long for our food, the service was crummy, just bring us our check for our drinks please.

The waitress seemed unconcerned we were very unhappy and ready to leave. To top that, even though it was very clear to the staff things were not going well at our table, and we were leaving, no attempt was made to turn this situation around, not even the manager came out to rescue our customer experience.

You think we will go back? Not a chance!

You think we will tell our circle of friends? You bet.

You think we could get on Twitter and other social media outlets and call them out by name? Happens every day!

This business has a bad case of Status Quo Mindset! There are hundreds of places we can go spend our money for a meal in this town. Maybe they don’t care. But one thing is for sure! If your business is in the habit of Status Quo Mindset, your  ’whatever’ approach to customer service will eventually catch-up with you and some customer savvy business will open up across the street and steal the hearts of a customer by modeling a “we are here because of you” business approach.

The point is, any business that does not recognize the fact 21^st century business walks to the beat of a different drum is out of touch with what is going on in the marketplace today. This is a new business era people. One that is driven by the consumer not your products, services, or what you think the customer wants. This is a marketplace where people are voicing their opinions and conversing about the things important to them and we must place these conversations on a priority level and make adjustments to the way we conduct business so that we are in sync with our customer’s desires, standards, and motivation factors.

For a long time proven business models were the roadmaps for many industries and every one in that particular industry pretty much followed that roadmap. Today’s new marketplace is birthing new 21^st century minded businesses that are actually listening and engaging with the customer and who understand status quo is dead!

This new business age calls for businesses to use a rich mixture of numerous models, concepts and ideas from the many different sectors all the while keeping the focus on what the fast paced and ever changing new customer feels, thinks and says about your business.

Scary, huh? Well…truthfully, yes, it can be because if you have not already begun to sense the shift occurring out there it’s only going to become even more clearer you are no longer in control. The music industry found this out the hard way. And guess what? There are still businesses in the music industry not excepting this reality and they are conducting their business with the Status Quo Mentality! How long do you think they are going to stay in business?

Status Quo Mentality keeps a business chained to doom if a business is not interested in change and doing their very best to please and serve their customers. They will put themselves out of business eventually.

Stay tuned for Business Suicide Mentality #2: The Arrogance Mentality.

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Believe it or not, many clients that have come to us to develop a new website did not realizing they did not own their previous website!

How can that be?

Well for starters…many web designers sell you what is referred to as a proprietary CMS (Content Management System) or a template based system. Both of these give you the advantage of adding content and managing some of your website functions from a browser accessed backend commonly refer to as a ‘Dashboard’. However, it the web system belong to the company your website it with not you. You only own your content.

How can you go wrong with a setup like that?

This may be ok for you if you are just looking for an ‘easy’ way to be online.

But if you really serious about growing your business and brand online you must understand your website and web presence is not just a marketing tool, (the most important one there is today I might add) it can be a real business asset if developed properly. That means you should own all of your website so YOU can grow it to evolve with you business objectives!

Everything from the domain, to the content, to the actual core files that make up your website, you should have a copy of this tangible asset in your possession. Do you? You would be shocked in the 13 years I have been doing this how many clients do not have possession nor control over their digital property!

Does this mean you have to be a website design expert to control and own your website destiny?

I’m happy to tell you the answer is a great big No! You can have your very own custom CMS that gives you the control to manage your website just like those propriety systems you are renting use of!

If you don’t need something that robust, there are all types of user friendly,  web editing solutions, and user management type solutions for your website needs. Not to mention all sorts of business solutions you can have incorporated into your website! You just need some help in knowing what the best option is for your business.

Finally, I strongly encourage you not to shy away from taking on a greater ‘ownership’ role regarding your web presence. There is NOTHING out there as powerful, as cost effective, as hard working, and far reaching as your presence on the internet. This is the place you should nor neglect to invest in to position your business for a turnaround in this economy.

What’s the difference?

Selling to a “Customer” is a transaction relationship involving an exchange of goods or services for money, versus selling to a “Client” for whom the salesperson takes responsibility for guiding and advising by taking on a stewardship role.

Big difference!

If your anything like me, it represents a “check out” moment from the hustle and bustle of life to reflect on the joys of beings mom (and the sorrows), how far you have come and how far your family has come.

Most of us our adorned with flowers, a gift, or dinner out and those are all such wonderful tokens of love from our families. However, this year I also received a Mother’s Day gift that not only was really special to me personally…but it was an excellent example of 21st century marketing at its finest in my books! Those of us in business should setup and take notice.

Here’s the scoop. I was busy at my computer (I still spend way too much time there) working on my business and an email came in from a dear friend of mine notifying me…

Your friend Patty sent you the following video from CNNBC: “Hazel Nieves Announced as 2009 Mother of the Year.”

I thought at first…wow…about time someone out there knew what I went through raising six children as a single parent!! Of course, I clicked on the link and to my utter delight the video played with all these mentions of me announced as ‘Mother of the Year’ from President Obama to a guy with a tattoo on his arm with my first name!!!!

WOW! I was so excited I then personalized the email and sent it to a list of mothers I know so they too could get the joy of this gift like I did.

You may be saying great for you but how does this help me with my marketing!

Well first, I found out the video has been sent to more than 4,500,000 moms and that does not count today’s numbers or tomorrow!! Secondly, the sponsors of this video have had a flood of emails pouring in thanking them for the video, blogger’s blogging about and just a huge response to what the entire marketing purpose was in the first place and that was to bring attention and TRAFFIC to their organization MomsRising.org!

The MomsRising Organization is dedicated to bring together millions of people who share a common concern about the need to build a more family-friendly America. Started in May of 2006, MomsRising has gained over 150,000 citizen members and is rapidly growing. More than 85 national and state organizations have signed on to be aligned with MomsRising.

There marketing for this cause is soooooooo 21st century in that they understand how to strike the cord of emotion in people and give something relevant to their audience so that they can also share in the purpose and mission of this organization and at the same time in a ‘non-selling’ way help us to understand the need for us to support this cause.

I advise anyone one interested in what I call ‘New Model’ marketing to study their website and strategies. They certainly are doing an excellent job!

P.S. Just because of this ONE video, I not only became aware of them (I never heard of them before), I have signed up as a member, took the time to fill out a ‘refer my friends’ form to help spread the word, and I will begin to get involved with this organization.

Now that is good marketing! That’s good Social Media Marketing!!