Eric Mann

  • What is your Google score?

    ·

    I am amazed by how many people have never Googled themselves.  In today’s world, it’s increasingly important just what the Internet says about you – whether true or fiction.  Most of you understand this, and have taken the proper steps to protect yourself from online brand-hijacking.  Just think of how awkward that next job interview

    Read More

  • Pay Time

    ·

    At a sales training seminar a couple weeks ago, the presenter spoke on the topic of separating pay time from no pay time.  I was very familiar with this concept, but not in quite the way he put it.  All of us recognize the importance of tracking billable versus non-billable hours, but “pay time” doesn’t

    Read More

  • Know Your Customer

    ·

    In general, I do branding and marketing work for three kinds of clients: Individuals Local small businesses Start-up companies I enjoy working with these kinds of clients for several reasons.  Primarily, though, they tend to have a deep understanding of their mission, some kind of core driver that makes them unique, and a complete misunderstand

    Read More

  • Marketing on a Shoe-string

    ·

    We’ve all been there.  Budget time comes and we start cutting line items to match the numbers that are really coming in.  The first thing in many companies on the chopping block is the marketing budget.  This is because most managers associate “marketing” with “ritzy, expensive advertising campaign.”  Just because you can’t afford the flash

    Read More

  • Using Psychographics

    ·

    Question Number 3: How do you gather psychographic data? All of you market researchers are scratching your heads already.  Yes, we know what psychographics are, and we know why they’re important.  Now tell us how to get them and use them! Really, it’s not as hard as you might think.  It just takes a bit

    Read More

  • The Importance of Psychographics

    ·

    Question Number 2: Why are psychographics important? For those of us in marketing who understand the science, the answer is fairly obvious.  But many times, we take that for granted and tell our clients to gather psychographic data without telling them why.  This can be frustrating for the client and doesn’t really help build a

    Read More

  • Pyschographics Redefined

    ·

    Question Number 1: What exactly are psychographics? Psychographics are the holy grail when it comes to marketing and sales.  They are more than just the external characteristics of your customer.  They run deeper than past purchasing habits.  Psychographics are the why behind consumer behavior. The reason a man chooses one brand of wrench over another

    Read More

  • Security

    ·

    Nothing can ever be truly secure. The best we can muster is the illusion of security – create a veil through which our world looks private and closed off from the idle hands of those who would disrupt it. I’ve been working quite a bit on website development lately, and I’ve been thinking a lot

    Read More

  • What’s Holding You Back?

    ·

    The other day, someone asked me what appeared to be the most unassuming question possible.  “If there was something you could start doing today that would improve the quality of your life, what would it be?” On the surface, this seemed to be a very harmless question.  I almost had an answer.  Then I stopped

    Read More

  • How Twitter Makes You A Crappy Writer

    ·

    Last Friday, we talked a bit about how Twitter can make you a better writer.  While there are hundreds of reasons Twitter can be a fantastic tool, there are just as many reasons it can be detrimental.  Writing concisely is important – but so is writing to be read.  A good writer understands her audience.

    Read More