Behind the marketing sound bites....

[Corabar Entertainment]

Glib statements that just say "Do it" without giving any practical advice on HOW are one of my pet hates. We've all heard the phrases:

"Get what you're worth"
"Know your market"
"Carry out market research"

...and a hundred more, but has anyone invested in a course, or a CD/DVD, or a book, etc that actually gives you practical advice on HOW to do these things? Or has anyone got any practical advice on what has worked for them?

What's your pet hate glib statement (in relation to our industry/market)?

[funkymook]

Glib statements that just say "Do it" without giving any practical advice on HOW are one of my pet hates. We've all heard the phrases:

"Get what you're worth"
"Know you're market"
"Carry out market research"

...and a hundred more, but has anyone invested in a course, or a CD/DVD, or a book, etc that actually gives you practical advice on HOW to do these things? Or has anyone got any practical advice on what has worked for them?

What's your pet hate glib statement (in relation to our industry/market)?

I actually don't mind these glib hook lines, I see them for what they are, marketing - which we all do.

The fact that most of us know about 'Broccoli', 'Sizzle' and '£1200' means something is getting through. They create discussion and debate and keep a high profile - their marketing works! If I were to ask for advice that's the sort of person I'd go to, not to someone I'd never heard of who can't promote themselves.

But they're not saying anything new, just repackaging it with a slant towards mobile DJ's.

I see the value of these workshops and seminars as a catalyst to put it all into practice, not so much as learning something you don't know. Some people need that boost, others don't. They're not for everyone (there's another one!)

I actually find people who arbitrarily dismiss them as a con without offering anything themselves far more annoying.

[STEVE HANLEY]

Target the correct customers.........So who would they be then?? My AAA has brought me more weddings this year than the one I had built specifically aimed at weddings:daft::daft:

[DazzyD]

I learned my marketing skills from my mentor when I started up and worked with Business Link which, imo, was a far better way of doing things than attending seminars as I was working one-to-one with a business advisor who'd "been there and done that" and was able to structure our working relationship to suit my individual needs rather than generic spiel aimed a room full of people who's needs aren't an exact match. Networking was done through business clubs although I've had a break from these for the last couple of years. I have, however, recently signed up to The Mussel Club which looks like it could be a really good source of ideas, information, learning and networking!

[Corabar Entertainment]

I actually find people who arbitrarily dismiss them as a con without offering anything themselves far more annoying.
Don't get me wrong, Martin, I agree with what you've said there and would never dismiss anything out of hand. However, I am a very practical person and I have been frustrated with so many articles, courses, etc (in various walks of life) because of the lack of substance and practical suggestions. It's all very well saying do this, do that, but if there are no suggestions as to how you should do this, do that, then there's not really much behind it.

'Broccoli', 'Sizzle' and '£1200' may have sparked debate, but within all those debates (the ones I have seen, anyhow) there hasn't been anything of any depth or substance... just those that are 'pro' regurgitating the sound-bites, and those that are 'against' putting down the whole concept.

[funkymook]

Don't get me wrong, Martin, I agree with what you've said there and would never dismiss anything out of hand. However, I am a very practical person and I have been frustrated with so many articles, courses, etc (in various walks of life) because of the lack of substance and practical suggestions. It's all very well saying do this, do that, but if there are no suggestions as to how you should do this, do that, then there's not really much behind it.

'Broccoli', 'Sizzle' and '£1200' may have sparked debate, but within all those debates (the ones I have seen, anyhow) there hasn't been anything of any depth or substance... just those that are 'pro' regurgitating the sound-bites, and those that are 'against' putting down the whole concept.

That wasn't aimed at you Angela - it was more for the abusive comments that invariably get posted whenever the subject is raised.

I'd say there were probably a few reasons you don't see any practical suggestions.

The people who run the courses aren't going to give it all away for nothing, hence the teasers, but nothing tangible.

Most of the debates are amongst people who haven't been on the workshops and courses, so again nothing to say from actual experience, just opinions.

Those that have been on them may be reluctant to pass on information they've paid for for free, especially as they're likely to be shot down by the quite vocal nay sayers.

But mainly, you're expecting far more than these workshops give - you probably know it already and call it basic business skills, common sense (or just plain bloody obvious!). So you're looking deeper but finding nothing because it's not there. But for some people what we might see as obvious is actually a revelation. And back to being a catalyst again, how many people know it all but don't actually practice it, for them maybe the message they need to hear is 'it really is this easy, you just need to be doing it' - and we all know people listen more when they're paying for it.

I had a quick look at some of the websites of the loudest 'you can't teach me anything' brigade a while back when this topic was raging on FB - they were full of spelling and grammatical errors, badly phrased etc. Making a snap judgment based on that I'd say they probably would benefit from some basic marketing help, which is all I see these courses as offering.

[Corabar Entertainment]

...they probably would benefit from some basic marketing help, which is all I see these courses as offering.Now, you see, that's the point where we diverge.

I would seriously love to be proved wrong on this, but everything I've seen, read & heard suggests that there is little more than pep talks around.

Has anyone come across anything that offers more?

[CRAZY K]

I learned my marketing skills from my mentor when I started up and worked with Business Link which, imo, was a far better way of doing things than attending seminars as I was working one-to-one with a business advisor who'd "been there and done that" and was able to structure our working relationship to suit my individual needs rather than generic spiel aimed a room full of people who's needs aren't an exact match. Networking was done through business clubs although I've had a break from these for the last couple of years. I have, however, recently signed up to The Mussel Club which looks like it could be a really good source of ideas, information, learning and networking!

I agree totally.

Having spent a life in sales, sales planning, sales meetings and close that sale seminars from motivating think positive American I thought I knew most of the angles--

However I got a few free meetings (having started a new business) with a specialist from Business Link and I learnt some more!!!

So if you want something tangible where they analyse your business personally and make some worthwhile suggestions to improve it from experienced mentors--rather than saying you must have Positive Mental Attitude (my most unloved expression) then it has my backing.

It wasnt until I was told what PMA is--that I realised I have been using it all my life--I just did not know it had a name :rolleyes:

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Not really marketing, but I hate the phrase "My clients love it" when describing a piece of equipment they think is great, so use the phrase to justify themselves.

I don't think I've ever had anyone say that about an individual piece of gear before.