luckyrock

The Consultant in the Next Cubicle, Recommendation Buzz

luckyrock — Wed, 14 May 2008 12:31:23 -0700

I love learning about a wide variety of ministries and businesses. Not only do I get bored easily, I also find others' successes and failures to be profoundly instructive regardless of what I'm currently slaving away at.

Sometimes though, insights are lurking not around the corner, but within my own organization. Check out this great post on The Consultant Within.

You likely have folks within your ministry or business that came from other fields, utilized different technologies, and found solutions that you've perhaps never considered. Next time you're stumped, seek out these talented problem solvers who've successfully sown in a variety of soils.

On a completely different front, this great article from Fox Business chats up commerce in the "recommendation age." The key thought: don't miss the chance to participate in and encourage online conversations about your organization. These discussions are happening with or without you.

No, you shouldn't become as obsessed with what's being said about you online as a teenaged girl vying for prom queen. But you shouldn't fool yourself into believing that virtual ratings and dialogue won't impact your ministry or business success.

Want proof that you're living in the recommendation age? Look closer at the next news article or blog post you read online? Those "digg it," "fave it," "seed it," and other buttons allow folks to recommend or bash the content at hand. And tens of millions of web watchers depend on such ratings to choose ministries and businesses.

Embrace the recommendation age. If you're not sure where to begin, drop me a line.

Bonus Features that Sell

luckyrock — Tue, 13 May 2008 07:57:07 -0700

Start your day off with this insightful article from the Hollywood Reporter. I know, I know, you don't make films and you're not in the entertainment biz. Don't let that stop you from considering the article in light of your ministry or binistry (business that's your God-given ministry).

You ministry leaders should think about how you package your sermons/conferences online. If you have video capabilities, try adding a special pop-up interview as the main speaker takes the stage, which will introduce the sermon or talk at-hand. This intro can be given by an Associate Pastor or other ministry leader, and could cover the content of the talk, offer a funny related story, or even be a teaser for folks to stay tuned after the sermon.

Your goal is not to "package" Christ in such a way to make Him palatable to the "wicked and perverse generation among whom you shine as children of light." The world, devoid of the effectual drawing of the Holy Spirit, will never want what you have. In fact, Jesus Christ declared that the world hates the light and will not come near it, lest their deeds be exposed. (John 3:20)

However, you can add cool and informative "special features" that the Spirit might work through to help you become "all things to all men, that by all means (you) might win some."

You business owners and corporate leaders should think about ways to make your content pop, especially through your website--one of the lead-generating/sales producing engines which you can modify slightly, without great expense and fanfare.

A great example of using "bonus website content" is Aprimo marketing software's wide variety of client case studies which reinforce their sales message. This content amounts to more than giving your pitch in a different way or the usual "I used them, you should too" testimonials. These case studies offer a real "nook and cranny" view of how Aprimo might help large businesses and non-profits increase their marketing impact.

Other web-based possibilities include audio or video interviews with clients, which put flesh to case studies and testimonials. In fact, if you want to reach out beyond your website (the answer is "yes"), then you should make multimedia interviews available in widgets for your re-sellers to add to their own websites and blogs. And be sure to reference these new resources in your print, email, and radio/TV advertising.

Adding special features which help you cut through the clutter is not as hard as you think. Take a cue from the above article about DVD/Video on Demand bonus content that actually sells. You just might stick out, to the glory of God.

Marketing Strategies for Any Budget

luckyrock — Wed, 07 May 2008 10:03:27 -0700

In case you missed it, check out this survey from Media Week's 2007 Media Plan Award Winners. If you're short on time, skip to the coverage of SanDisk's brilliant anti-Ipod campaign which won for "Best Plan Under $1 Million," or check out McDonald's uber smart Seattle campaign which won for "Best Use of Nontraditional Media."

Great ministry and business buzz spreading doesn't have to cost a lot of money. In fact, you shouldn't think about what you'd do if money were no object. Rather, take a cue from SanDisk and prayerfully consider how to break through the clutter, to the glory of God.

I also strongly encourage you, to beat an old drum, to use viral widgets to spread your media and message far and wide. With the new, free SproutBuilder, you can build slideshows, music players and more without hiring a Flash programmer. Check out my recent post on Sprout and widgets here.

And you need to research and prayerfully consider Bluetooth broadcasting. It's hot for good reason in Europe and doesn't have to be a pain to consumers.

In fact, why don't you pastors and ministry leaders create simple graphics/promo stuff, load low-cost Bluetooth broadcasting software onto the smart phones of your students, and send them out to concerts & coffee shops? Call it guerilla ministry!

Why don't you store owners set up a low-cost Bluetooth receiver and send coupons to passers-by and customers? Check out Powerade's use of Bluetooth marketing here, complete with scanners that read barcodes right off of mobiles. Again, Bluetooth marketing doesn't have to be annoying and invasive; solid consumer response to past such campaigns shows that a significant percentage of customers actually appreciate this targeted marketing.

Feedback?

Multiplatform Marketing and Quick Dose of Encouragement

luckyrock — Tue, 06 May 2008 10:28:11 -0700

A couple of quick items for your Happy Tuesday...

Media Execs See Multiplatform in Their Future
Ignore the headline of the linked article and skip down to the part about future sources of revenue growth. If you want to maximize your effectiveness, you have to think about messaging across your website, TV, radio, blogs, and more. That may seem like a lot of planning, but it's easier than you think.

Your church can show a video in Sunday services, which is then made available on your website (if you own the copyright). Your website can publish great articles and further offer them in shareable widgets to be placed on blogs, Facebook profiles, and more.

That's My King!
Click the link above to enjoy this classic short film on Jesus. If you don't know Jesus, drop me a line here. I'll be glad to tell you all about Him.

Welcome to Forward Thinking

luckyrock — Tue, 06 May 2008 10:09:54 -0700

I was going to put "shout outs" or "mad props to my peeps" in the title, but that would lead to mass emails to Conversant about their new blogger's lameness. Little do you know (and as my wife would confirm), my dork factor goes way beyond blog post titles.

Just the same, thanks for checking out my new Conversant blog and thanks to everyone who voted up my past "user-submitted" articles and blog posts. Now you won't have to work so hard to find my stuff.

Forward Thinking for Christ covers ministry and business marketing, new media, strategy and more. My goal is help ministries reach out with excellence and to make businesses more profitable--so they can fund ministry.

Enjoy and feel free to drop me a line anytime...