Dark Marketing forces are affecting your business. You can't see them, but they are there just the same.

Granular digital data might look sexy. But if you don't zoom out, all you've got are rocks in your shoes.

is your business just O.K.?

Is it “O.K.” for something that’s just “O.K.” to represent your business?

Do you only think of your business as an “O.K.” business with an “O.K.” product to offer? If so, A.I. is “O.K.” for you.

A collection of interviews done this year with marketers from two continents. Each have shown how entertainment and emotion aren't just nice to have...it's something you must have in order for your ads to work harder.

With commentary from:

Roy H. Williams/Wizard of Ads

Orlando Wood/System 1 Group

Harry Beckwith/Author

Matt Owens/System 1 Group

Zach Atherton/Harmon Brothers

Digital advertising is fantastic, until it isn't. Unrealistic promises, mistakes, inconsistent reporting, and outright fraud plague this industry. A THIRTY YEAR OLD industry. Sort your life out, digital... you gots problems.

Inside the Black Box, by Bob Hoffman:

https://dl.bookfunnel.com/6kwmi0qlsq

Sources for current click through rates:

https://broadstreetads.com/successful-click-through-rate/

https://www.wordstream.com/blog/ws/2010/11/22/what-is-a-good-click-through-rate-for

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/evolution-banner-ads-from-44-click-through-rates-todays-umer-masood/

ISBA article on missing ad dollars: https://www.isba.org.uk/article/time-change-and-transparency-programmatic-advertising

Sounds right...but you're wrong. Your brain is doing stuff when you don't even realize it's doing stuff.

Remember when you predicted 5G would change all of humanity?

You were wrong.

Maybe we should get out of the "predicting" business.

Always remember: Marketing ≠ Advertising.

There are certainly those who specialize in graphic design, video, or digital.

But we're talking Marketing. The strategy before the tactics.

If you're just thinking "advertising," you're in trouble.

A little bit of fertilizer is ok.

Doing some sales promotions is ok.

Too much fertilizer and you'll fry your lawn.

Too many promotions, and you'll fry your brand.

Les Binet's comments on price promotions

https://www.marketingweek.com/les-binet-price-promotions-recession/

Consumer behavior information from Michelle Klotz

https://insidebe.com/articles/the-dangers-of-discounting/

Sometimes success isn't what it seems.

Read the Nielsen article on the importance of awareness:

https://www.nielsen.com/insights/2021/when-it-comes-to-brand-building-awareness-is-critical/

I have a funny feeling Google Bots and spam filters are diverting articles about a certain Marine Corps base in North Carolina. Hence "Kamp Lah June" is written as Camp LeJ---e. Thanks.

Sign up to attend The One Year Marketing Plan here: https://wizardacademy.org/product/2023-september-the-one-year-marketing-plan/