Beyond Blogs

The latest issue of Business Week does a good job of talking about Blogs, how they’ve matured and gives some interesting trends for the future of e-communications. The story interests me because most emerging media is measurable, and I’m all about “Marketing That’s Measurable.” I feel it’s important you read this article.


Grant A. Johnson

Johnson Direct LLC

1-800-710-2750

Is It “Time” for Marketing Success?

One of the most critical and over looked elements to marketing success is… timing. Most practioners, even seasoned veterans, overlook this key factor when conducting campaigns, writing briefs or completing the business and marketing plan. They explain that the target audience, offers/messaging, creative and competitive factors play a role in the results, but never seem to touch on timing.

Most products or services have a seasonal factor. For instance, most people in the Midwest would not consider buying lawn mowers in December, and thus very few firms market them then. Snow shovels typically sell briskly after the first winter’s storm.

I recall a program I did in 2001 that illustrates the point. The company called me in in the 4th quarter of 2000 to do some direct mail testing for “final expense” insurance, or burial policies. I was to test against another direct mail package. The mail date was September and the 100,000 pieces were co-branded with Chase and the test was to take place in Manhattan.

Do you recall 9/11/01? It was the day America was attacked.

The client called and asked what to do. I explained they should scrap the program and save the postage. They mailed anyway, two weeks later than planned. The results: 3 responses, two angry letters and an empty reply envelope. Although the campaign had been in development for some time, the timing of the mail drop date was horrible. Most folks assumed that the company was taking advantage of them… at a time when their fear was heightened.

So please, keep in mind timing when planning your marketing. Be willing to adjust time frames up, back or even scarp the campaign if need be. You’ll be very happy you did. The results will prove it.

Grant A. Johnson

Johnson Direct LLC

1-800-710-2750

Honesty is the Best Policy

April 30, 2008

Yesterday I spoke very frankly with a team of decision makers for a food industry company. Honesty paid off, and I feel really good about it.

They were looking to specify a third-party software solution for their new (not yet designed) website. I shared my experience … Building the new corporate website before adding brand new functionality is a more prudent approach. As their new agency, the Johnson Direct team will learn a great deal about them and how their audiences have, will and want to interact with them online. And, with a solid, highly relevant, competitive and usable website foundation, we’ll have the basis for identifying parameters before we source and qualify viable software options.

The client agreed!

In this case, honesty paid off. But there are times customers really don’t want to hear the truth. If you’ve got a tale to tell – when telling the truth did or did not pay off – blog me! I’d love to hear about it.

Denise B. Hearden

Johnson Direct LLC

1-800-710-2750

Direct Branding and YouTube

If you’re interested in a better understanding of Direct Branding, Johnson Direct’s proprietary process to simultaneously build your brand and achieve results, check out the DVD we posted on YouTube recently.

Enjoy the show!


Grant A. Johnson

Johnson Direct LLC

1-800-710-2750

Multi-Channel Marketing Demystified

Multi-channel marketing is still quite the rage in the circles I run with, yet too many marketers don’t do MCM correctly. That was the topic I discussed in a recent Direct magazine article. Understanding the process of how to implement a MCM campaign is critical in this day and age. After all, more and more media options are available to us and finding the right mix, along with the right approach can make or break your campaign.

Grant A. Johnson

Johnson Direct LLC

1-800-710-2750