Hello,

You may be wondering where the content has been for the last couple of days. Well that’s because I have shifted into a new blogging format.

I went video blog – Changing Business Culture

Now, I’ll still post here monthly for the next 6 months, but after that time, I’ll be 100% switched over to the new platform, and will have this URL (http://jmuirheadblog.com) sending you there.

So what does this mean to you?

Well, two things

1) I hope you enjoy the videos, as I feel the content will be of a higher quality

2) You’ll need to sign-up for a new RSS reader, or Email from the blog.

Have a great day,

Josh

Do you have something I must have?

Something that will change me for the better, make my life easier, or something along those lines?

Then I will happily purchase it

But don’t “Sell it”, as that act can often turn me (and many others) off

Show me the problem it will solve, or the unbelievable benefit it produces

Do you think Apple, Facebook, or Google sell?

When Amazon first went to the New York Times to make an advertising deal

The New York Times refused because of their agreement with Barnes and Noble

Now, Amazon is the largest online retailer in the world, and has a higher market cap than Home Depot, Costco, Best Buy, and…Barnes & Noble. (thank you Wikipedia.org)

So do you think your better than Amazon? (And no, this is not a joking question)

If you think you are better because of price, speed and convenience – I’m sorry to say, but you’re most likely wrong.

I know what your thinking – Amazon doesn’t offer what I offer, so I do beat them in those areas – and more.

But your not beating them in those three areas, you’re beating them by offering something different – I would like to call it your gift, you can call it whatever it is you want.

So what is the point to all this?

The point is that if you’re trying to win with Price, Speed or Convenience, that’s a hard battle to fight. However, if you have something that no-one else has, you’ll win hands down every time (ok most of the time).

Over the past few weeks, I have had a great time working and tinkering on Muirhead Marketing.

• First, the new website was developed (alright, that took a little longer than a few weeks). But hey, check it out: Muirhead Marketing.ca

• Second, a great coaching session with Barbara Stuhlemmer from BLITZ Business Success.

• And finally, yesterday I sat down and wrote – a ton! I don’t know if it’s just the way I am, but I need to get my thoughts out, and quickly. And if I don’t write them down, I often forget those nuggets of gold, and often try to hard to get them back.

Recently, and if you read this blog (by the way, thanks!), you’ll have noticed that I have started to talk more philosophically about things. About the way we need to ask permission in marketing. The way people in your business need a buy in.
And that’s when – it finally hit me

I’m not in the business of social media marketing; I’m in the business of changing business culture! …Currently using social media as a showcase of possibilities, aka using social media as Tools.

So when someone like me walks into your office, and says – “What business are you in?” Is the answer really “Where in the paint business?”

With the amazing, (and better written) testimonial from Kim Sanderson (click here) being published today, I thought I would be a little briefer, and a little more personal.

When I first started in online marketing (not at Muirhead Marketing) the idea was to buy online advertising such as Google AdWords, or Yahoo Ads, and build a strategy where these elements were the corner stone.

Then I opened Muirhead Marketing with the idea of utilizing FREE services, such as Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Blogging, blah blah blah – People had one big question:

How are you going to make any money?

See, for the longest time, advertisers and marketers would get a better rate for purchasing ads (they still do!). So, when a company hired them, they would pay a retainer, but the residual income came from placing ads. (This is Win Win, as the advertising cost less using a firm.)

But I had a different idea. I was going to invoice people for my gifts; understanding this media, knowing how to build effective strategies, and offer continued support (effectively becoming their offensive coordinator – if you need a football analogy).

They wouldn’t pay me unless a “gift” was exchanged. And they wouldn’t pay Muirhead Marketing unless we offered remarkable strategies, and service.

So there you have it (although not as brief).

Guest Writer: Kim Sanderson

I always really enjoy reading Josh’s blog posts.  They are, to use his word – authentic.  You know that his intent is honest.

The latest couple of blogs have dealt with the side effect of not asking permission (part 1 / part 2).  These posts really hit a nerve with me as I had a recent experience that reflected exactly what Josh was stating.

I had researched for a particular service that we needed and found a supplier online with a contact email.  Pretty normal.  Sent an email explaining our situation and asking for someone to get back to me regarding how we would go about obtaining a quote.  I inquired as to what kind of information they required, what their service territory was and if they had a location closer to home.

A couple of weeks past and I didn’t hear anything back but suddenly I received an email from this same service provider which contained their electronic newsletter.  Never had they responded to my question which actually related to making a sale to me – rather they picked up my email and sent me an e-newsletter.  I now knew that they had my email – as it is my personal email address which is not published.  Previous to the newsletter arriving I had given them the benefit of the doubt that perhaps my communication had been lost in cyberspace.  I called to ask how come I was subscribed but my email hadn’t ever been answered.  They didn’t really have a response but did offer to help on the phone.

My reaction to all of this is a mix of slight anger and surprise.   Surprise that this was a business looking to build relationships, obvious by their newsletter, but not looking after the fundamentals of communication which very quickly can destroy any relationship that may already have started.  In my case, as Josh stated, their brand was hurt in the process and they lost more than they knew by their actions and my anger at my information being used this way.  Something to consider.

Part 1 recap – (click here for the full story): If you automatically put people into a subscription list without asking their permission, not only are you publishing a eNewsletter that will be highly under read, but will hurt your brands integrity.

Part 2 – “I want to add you as a …”

Twitter is an amazing service, it allows like-minded individuals the opportunity to connect, share and follow. The true beauty is that although I may want to follow your feed, you do not need to follow mine.

Facebook (read about the privacy issues here) is pretty good. Through groups, and pages you can indirectly connect with people. And if someone does ask to be a “friend” you can set the their access level.

But Linkedin is different

Linkedin is a powerful business networking service, but people still play the numbers game. You can connect with people on two levels, 1 is via group discussion, or 2 via connection.

People ask to be a connection all the time, which I think is great, but it’s how you ask that’s important. Chris Brogan has the philosophy of “connect with everyone,” But I’m going to change that slightly,

“Connect with anyone, but do it in the most authentic manner.” Meaning, if the only reason why you’re connecting with me is because of a discussion I started or participate in, that’s fine, but tell me that first. Or if we connected at a conference – email me through Linkedin, say how and why I would know you, and ask for my email: I would be happy to offer it!

Remember it’s better to have 1,000 authentic and passionate followers/friends/connections, than 10,000 people who just wanted a bigger number beside their name.

If I don’t ask for Fries, I don’t get fries

If I don’t ask for extra butter on my popcorn, I don’t get extra butter

So why is it, when I give you my business card I get automatically subscribed to your eNewsletter? I didn’t ask for it

The value of your crafted eNewsletter is gone – because I’m not going to look.

And, because most people promptly put their name/logo at the top, I will no longer see you as a reputable source of information – just as another business looking for the “SALE.”

That’s the true side effect for not asking permission – Not only are your well crafted messages not being read, but your hurting your brand in the process.

If you where to ask the best scorer in the NHL “How did you get that good?” He would say – “I trained and focused on getting my stick movement just right”

If you where to ask the best female singer in Opera “How did you become so talented?” She would reply, “I spent many hours focusing and practicing”

And if you where to ask the smartest minds in nuclear physics “How did you get to know so much?” They would undoubtedly say the same

So why is it when it comes to marketing our business on social media do we spread our selves out, taking a shotgun approach vs. the approach that made the NHL/Opera/and Nuclear Physics persons so successful?

You must know the relationship you are going to have with each Social Media channel, and WHY (*I can’t stress this enough) you are using them.

When you’re planning the next month/quarter/year for your business, what goal is usually included?

INCREASE SALES BY —-Blank

The goal to increase sales is a misguided approach as

Sales are a Result – Not a Goal

You can’t goal yourself up 15% over last years sales, and you can’t goal yourself to increase sales to multi-million dollars – As you don’t control the action of the buyer.

Goals are something that you can take on yourself, and can set Real time-lines, and Specific actions. I.E.

• This year we’re going to increase our networking groups to include BNI and Rotary
• Over the next six months, I’m going to deliver content every day on my blog
• For the next two presentations, we’ll insure that business cards from attendees are taken, and a follow-up is done