Here are 3 things from Noggin Advertising to make you smarter today:
@FASTCOCREATE : WHY CAT VIDEOS MATTER
Are cat memes, animated GIFs and the Harlem Shake a waste of time for consumers and the marketers trying to reach them? Abigail Posner, head of strategic planning at Google says maybe not: "It may seem that all we’re doing is just capturing every mundane moment. But look closely. ... [R]esearch showed us that far from distracting us from more serious things, these viral pictures, videos, and memes reconnect us to an essential part of ourselves. And by understanding what’s at the root of our obsession with the visual web, brands can create the kind of content that resonates in today’s culture."
@FASTCODESIGN : IMPROVING BY SIMPLIFYING
Irene Etzkorn writes at Co.DESIGN: "There’s a tendency to think of innovation as coming up with the latest gadget or adding new features onto existing ones. But the concept of breakthrough simplicity recognizes that today, the most powerful innovations don’t manifest themselves as new bells and whistles. They take the form of better customer experiences (or patient experiences, or citizen experiences). And one of the best ways to improve any experience is to simplify it--to remove complications, unnecessary layers, hassles, or distractions, while focusing on the essence of what people want and need in that particular situation."
@NERDGRAPH : WHY SMALL BUSINESSES FAIL
Here's a great infographic on why most small businesses fail. Among the keys to success: start small, know your market, maintain quality merchandise, listen to customers, market and locate properly, and keep the business focused. Of particular note, I think, is marketing. So often, I see store owners sitting behind a counter in their store, waiting for people to walk in. Lethal. I suspect many small business owners either assume their inventory or services are so great, people will figure it out by osmosis, or they believe marketing and advertising are too expensive. This can be true but doesn't have to be. Something as simple as a sandwich board on the sidewalk or distributing a postcard with a strong offer -- buy one, get one free, bring a friend and get a discount -- can drive traffic, and sales.
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