THE MARKETING POST

How to Promote a Blog

2006-09-15T21:25:00.000+09:30

There are many ways to promote your blog or website. Here are a few:

Submit your site to Directories

http://search.yahoo.com/bin/search?p=directories
http://www.ringsurf.com/
http://www.BulletMail.com

Get Reciprocal links
http://iwr.com/free/reciprocal.htm
http://www.reciprocallink.com/

Join discussions on Message boards

http://AssociatePrograms.com/discus/index.php
http://www.ablake.net/forum/
http://www.bmyers.com/ipub/index.html

Create your own Banner ad
http://www.adbility.com/show.asp?cat_id=337
See which ones work best
BannerTips.com
smartclicks.com/resources/best_banners.html
Get a good one made
http://www.BannerWorkz.com

Online articles
Provide articles for webmasters and ezine publishers
http://ezinearticles.com/

Talk about your site in Newsgroups
http://groups.google.com

Add interactivity to encourage repeat visitors
Add chat, message boards, surveys, guest books, games, postcards, search engines, auctions etc.

Make friends - and they will publicize your site
Good news spreads like wildfire
http://www.AssociatePrograms.com/search/newsletter047.shtml

Crocodile Hunter - a brand of his own

2006-09-04T18:21:00.000+09:30

How did the legendary Aussie Crocodile Hunter Die?

Not taken by a crocodile,
Not malled by a tiger at his zoo,
Not even bitten by one of the lethal snakes he handles.

Aussie Steve Irwin "Crocodile hunter" was stabbed in the heart by the barb on the tail of a sting ray, whilst filming an underwater documentary off the coast of Cairns, Australia on September 4th, 2006.

According to a Queensland Ambulance Service spokesman, an intensive care doctor and a paramedic attempted to recover the croc hunter after the sting ray barb punctured the left side of his chest but they had no success - he was pronounced dead.

Steve Irwin - known affectionately around the world as the Crocodile Hunter - is famous for his wildllife and conservation endaevours, his TV shows for kids and his almighty catchcry "Crikey!"

I would like to suggest that Steve Irwin with his unique wildlife adventure persona built a brand for himself that stood out amongst the civil restraints of city-focused life. He brought to life the attributes of our action adventure heros depicted in so many movies over the years.

And though there was a showmanship about his methods, his genuine love for animals of all kinds always shone through. It was his warmth and enthusaism for adventure that children around the world were inspired by - he was himself a rare specimen, a unique, perhaps larger-than-life Aussie hero.

Always busy working, if it wasn't a new documentary or new education program, he would work within his own "Australia Zoo "- a wildlife park, north of Brisbane, Australia which he set up-where he cared for animals and furthered his wildlife protection and education mission. His other projects include setting up the Steve Irwin Conservation Foundation, and International Crocodile Rescue.

Steve Irwin and his wife Terri have two children: a daughter, Bindi Sue Irwin, eight, and a son, Robert (Bob) Clarence Irwin, three.

When Robert, his son was only days old, Irwin controversially dangled him near a crocodile at the Australia Zoo and was critised as irresponsible by child welfare groups. But Irwin insists he was in complete control of the situation.

Australia's Foreign Minister Alexander Downer, hailed Mr Irwin for his work in promoting Australia, especially his role in the recent "G'Day LA" campaign.

"The minister knew him, was fond of him and was very, very appreciative of all the work he'd done to promote Australia overseas," a spokesman said.

Steve Irwin "Crocodile Hunter" will be missed by many around the world - he will always be remembered as a true icon of Australia, an ambassador for wildlife, a family man and not by any means least, a modern day true action adventure hero.

Crocodile Hunter Quotes

2006-09-04T18:10:00.000+09:30

Because when they strike it can be that quick that if they're within range, you're dead, you're dead in your tracks. And his head weighs more than my body so it's WHACK!
Steve Irwin

But I put my life on the line to save animals.
Steve Irwin

Crikey means gee whiz, wow!
Steve Irwin

Crikey, mate. You're far safer dealing with crocodiles and western diamondback rattlesnakes than the executives and the producers and all those sharks in the big MGM building.
Steve Irwin

Every cent we earn from Crocodile Hunter goes straight back into conservation. Every single cent.
Steve Irwin

Herein lies our problem. If we level that much land to grow rice and whatever, then no other animal could live there except for some insect pest species. Which is very unfortunate.
Steve Irwin

I am optimistic globally. So many scientists are working frantically on the reparation of our planet.
Steve Irwin

I believe our biggest issue is the same biggest issue that the whole world is facing, and that's habitat destruction.
Steve Irwin

I believe sustainable use is the greatest propaganda in wildlife conservation at the moment.
Steve Irwin

I believe that education is all about being excited about something. Seeing passion and enthusiasm helps push an educational message.
Steve Irwin

I bled a lot. I got hit across the face. We couldn't film for seven days. I got hit, whacked, underwater, across the face. I finished the shot, got into the boat and blood started coming out.
Steve Irwin

I get called an adrenaline junkie every other minute, and I'm just fine with that.
Steve Irwin

I have no fear of losing my life - if I have to save a koala or a crocodile or a kangaroo or a snake, mate, I will save it.
Steve Irwin

I mean, these are all just little pink bits here (pointing at his arm) and are just curing up now. I've been recently filming a nine-and-a-half-foot female crocodile I had to catch. Oh, man, she bit me up! That was a mistake.
Steve Irwin

I sincerely believe that there's room for cutting down trees for forestry and grazing, so as we all get to eat. Everyone has to compromise.
Steve Irwin

I'm a proud Australian, a very, very proud Australian.
Steve Irwin

I've probably saved thousands of peoples' lives with my educational message on snake bites, how to get in around venomous anything.
Steve Irwin

My belief is that what comes across on the television is a capture of my enthusiasm and my passion for wildlife.
Steve Irwin

My dad taught me from my youngest childhood memories through these connections with Aboriginal and tribal people that you must always protect people's sacred status, regardless of the pest.
Steve Irwin

My field is with apex predators, hence your crocodiles, your snakes, your spiders.
Steve Irwin

No matter where you go and what you do in America, you turn the tele on and you're confronted with violence.
Steve Irwin

No, snakes are no problem. I'd go to any country, anywhere, any snakes, not a problem.
Steve Irwin

See, I've always seen Jacques Cousteau as a hero, mate. He's a legend - like my dad, just a legend. And so what he did for conservation in the '60s through the '70s was just phenomenal.
Steve Irwin

Sharks, I've been self-trained as well, and crocodiles, naturally. I've been catching them since I was nine. No problem.
Steve Irwin

Since I was a boy, from this house, I was out rescuing crocodiles and snakes. My mum and dad were very passionate about that and, I was lucky enough to go along.
Steve Irwin

Snakes are just very instinctive to me. I've been playing with snakes since before I could walk. It doesn't matter where or what it is, from the biggest to the most venomous.
Steve Irwin

So fear helps me from making mistakes, but I make lot of mistakes.
Steve Irwin

So now what happens is the cameras follow me around and capture exactly what I've been doing since I was a boy. Only now we have a team of, you know, like 73 of us, and it's gone beyond that.
Steve Irwin

So, my tactic with conservation of apex predators is to get people excited and take them to where they live.
Steve Irwin

Take the crocodile, for example, my favorite animal. There are 23 species. Seventeen of those species are rare or endangered. They're on the way out, no matter what anyone does or says, you know.
Steve Irwin

That might have a lot to do with it, but you know, I probably don't show fear, but I suffer from fear like everyone else.
Steve Irwin

The first crocodile I ever caught was at nine years of age, and it was a rescue.
Steve Irwin

The only animals I'm not comfortable with are parrots, but I'm learning as I go. I'm getting better and better at 'em. I really am.
Steve Irwin

There's a lot of research behind the scenes that you don't get to see, but I have an instinct that my dad nurtured from when I was born. I was very lucky then.
Steve Irwin

We've evolved from sitting back on our tripods and shooting wildlife films like they have been shot historically, which doesn't work for us.
Steve Irwin

When I talk to the camera, mate, it's not like I'm talking to the camera, I'm talking to you because I want to whip you around and plunk you right there with me.
Steve Irwin

When the East Timor conflict broke out, when they gained independence, the militia killed a lot of East Timorese people. And their sacred totem is the crocodile. They believe that their island is actually a solidified crocodile, so it has sacred status.
Steve Irwin

Where I live if someone gives you a hug it's from the heart.
Steve Irwin

Yeah, for some reason parrots have to bite me. That's their job. I don't know why that is. They've nearly torn my nose off. I've had some really bad parrot bites.
Steve Irwin

Yeah, I think it's an absolute disaster that Australia, the government, allowed kangaroo culling.
Steve Irwin

Yeah, I'm a thrill seeker, but crikey, education's the most important thing.
Steve Irwin

You know, I'm Australian, and we have got the worst sense of humor. We are cruel to each other.
Steve Irwin

You know, you can touch a stick of dynamite, but if you touch a venomous snake it'll turn around and bite you and kill you so fast it's not even funny.
Steve Irwin

Bloggers are the New Cool

2006-08-16T21:49:00.000+09:30

Once we were considered a geeky bunch. But, now the world is beginning to understand the power of the blog.

If you understand the terms; 'link' 'ping' RSS feed' you are well on your way to being part of the 'new cool' that walks the planet.

Blogs are being used for:

- PR - to create a new kind of 'buzz' that was not achievable with a faxed press release or an entire team of outbound callers.
- Product launches - get the latest gadget out there - and out there fast.
- Reviews - we are all up-to-date faster than ever before.
- Viral marketing - create momentum and referrals in minutes
- Branding - build a whole new brand perception with your presence and persona online

And so much more....

Geeks are the new cool.
Blogs are the new accessory.
Marketing will never look back.

Online Communities

2006-08-12T11:50:00.000+09:30

Traditional demographic segmentation is out the window.

The way people interact with media these days is vastly different to what marketers actually expect. Where we live, what age we are, what we earn is starting to have less credence when building a target segment for advertising.

The new era is heralding a new grouping system, based on what you're interested in.
But why is this so? Surely we have always had interests and those interests have driven our media consumption to a certian extent. Well, yes - of course...golf enthusaists will read golf magazines, the sports section of the newspaper and watch golf on TV.

But there is a major new aspect to their consumption behaviours...they can go online and interact with the others in their golfing community. In contrast to the one way conversation media has always had with us...we now have the ability to talk back, to shape the media category, to reach out and express opinions, to learn from others...adn to consume exactly what type of messages we want to hear. Online, we can all tailor our consumption, contribute to the message and experience our interests in a far more interactive way than ever before.

Even better, tailor-made shopping online - becoming more and more popular every minute...we can now browse very niche boutiques for what we have just read about, or perhaps recommended by a friend in an online community. And the stats are revealing the fast up-take of this online community activity. In a 90 day period alone, a keyword search for 'golf training aid' was typed in 46,603 times. And no wonder, when you can sample a host of golfing tools, tips and advice at sites such as: http://www.golflink.com/golf-tips/training-aids.asp It's just one example...I'm not even a golfer - but if I was...how could you not enjoy scouting out new golf courses, selecting accessories to purchase and discussing the latest results with similar golfing enthusiasts...certainly beats picking up the newspaper for one article on one match buried amongst all the other sports for that day.

So, re-think you're approach to segmentation...and start exploring online groupings...you might be surprised just how much is happening!

Discovering a whole new world

2006-08-08T19:48:00.000+09:30

This past month has felt surreal. I knew it was out there, I knew generally how it worked…I'd even started this blog months ago, but until I installed broadband and really started exploring, I didn’t know just how much was happening in the land of blogging.It’s like walking off the main street and suddenly finding yourself immersed in a whole new world. Suddenly, I find myself completely out of my normal routines and immersed in a myriad of mini-worlds, entire new social communities.And there is no end to the choice of worlds to choose from….from high-end intellectual forums, art and design cooperatives, paparazzi-style star-spotting, sport worlds, music worlds, movie worlds, business worlds, time-honoured gamer worlds to the ultimate in new-world web …living out your alias persona in an online 3d world.
Suddenly I see my own blog in a whole new light...it's my contribution to the new world. What I know about marketing should be shared with my online collegues. And share I will on my little piece of web real estate; The Marketing Post.First, a bit about me...I currently work for a large financial institution in Australia in the marketing division. I predominantly work on above-the-line marketing but also coordinate below-the-line activity for another brand within my control.So, true to new world of interactivity, I'd like to stop there and ask you...so what would you like to know?Let's see if I get any responses before I write next...Postey.

Hurricane devastation…prevent storms before they arrive

2006-08-08T19:45:00.000+09:30

In the torrid humanitarian, political and media frenzy of Hurricane Katrina, my blog, POST whirls into being… and quite aptly, this particular natural disaster had undeniably the most impact after the event. For whilst Katrina was busy destructively tearing apart the usually chilled out jazz city of New Orleans… the town battered down their hatches and the world heard not a thing. And even after the event…the city breathed a sigh of relief, thinking the worst was over and the recovery could begin…but the real impact was still to come.
The collapsing of two major sections of the levies surrounding the city followed soon after the hurricane with disastrous effects. The resulting flood of the entire city was unprepared for and any emergency response systems were far too slow to react, resulting in a complete collapse of the city into anarchy and distress.And like any marketing we undertake…the effects that follow should always be pre-empted, never underestimated and as far as possible, always prepared for. As responsible marketers, we should understand our actions have repercussions directly and indirectly affecting our customers.If we create a campaign for a target audience, it is our responsibility to understand the cause and effect of the words, images and offer we construct, the contact details we print, the privacy intrusion we undertake, the values of the recipient we assume and the response we ask for, in the context of all lives we touch. Or else, once happy customers can be suddenly isolated, tossed out in the cold.
In the event of a marketing mishap, emergency response should be on guard and move to amend the situation immediately.MacDonald’s foray into gambling games for children with it’s Neopet Happy Meal promotion last October (2004) spurred a double wrong…spurning a new generation of gamblers and disgusting an older generation, parents who have seen such exploitation of children at the hands of large corporations all before. No healthy new corporate image campaign will see these parents heading back to McDonalds.In 2001, when new media marketing was just picking up, Telstra sent out a marketing voice mail message to 3.4 million customers, but forgot their customers would all have to pay to retrieve the message – just as irresponsible.We need to be aware of why we are undertaking a campaign, what result we want and what result we might actually get. It will not always be possible to prevent marketing misdemeanours, but we can strive to analyse such mistakes from the past and ensure we put steps in place to analyse our campaigns before they hit our target.

Post Prologue

2006-08-08T19:42:00.000+09:30

Much anticipated, long contemplated…at last arrives THE MARKETING POST.Inspired by an equally inspired marketer, I have decided to embark upon the journey of writing a marketing-centric web log, or as affectionately titled by fellow web-writers, as the ‘blog’. Similarly, I will affectionately nickname my blog to 'POST' which also captures the essence of uploading our thoughts to the big wide world of the web.
The title for my blog was originally quite different…my first idea was going to be focused on balance…which, until I reached my third century, was indeed my primary mantra in life...to aim for balance, to think and act in balance, to live, learn, experience, respond and look forward in a balanced fashion. And, as perfectly balanced as that idea seemed at the time…I now look back and think...hmmmm…how very neat….how very diplomatic…how incredibly sacrificial.
Whilst I will never entirely relinquish my belief in the value of balance…I now recognise the importance of a concept just a little more elusive, just a tad more outrageous and infinitely more exciting than balance…it is post…post-balance…post-norm, post-new, post-now…it’s where we haven’t been yet and what we don’t really know…it’s the anticipation of what’s never been done before…it’s looking ahead and forging forward with the knowledge of where we have been before…it’s POST everything we know now.And, for me…that is what is really exciting about marketing…it will always be intrinsically linked to people’s thoughts, actions and aspirations….and as long as humans keep inventing and finding new ways to think, new ways to behave, new ways to strive forward and be inspired…so should marketers…we should always aim to discover the new … buoyed by the results and the learning of the past. We should look forever ahead for the new way to inspire, to interact and to create value.
The Marketing Post, I hope, will be a place to share ideas, to challenge the now and the norms in marketing and inspire us to forge ahead with new ways to achieve our goals –as varied as they inherently are across many different fields.It may lean towards the topic of branding more than not, as it is my area of interest…but the concept of brand as king in a company is limiting and can even be alienating to staff and customers particularly if mis-communicated. In the new era, branding and marketing meet again, working together internally and externally of an organisation to achieve more than ever before.
The end is customer satisfaction, the means of getting there…many and varied.Rather than fill POST with pages of conjecture and philosophy on the art and science of marketing, I will endeavour to capture snippets of new techniques, campaigns and contemporary marketing thoughts. And, true to the nature of the marketing POST, I will delve into learning from marketing past and present to ensure we move forward knowing where we have been.