Josh Muirhead of Muirhead Marketing

Coach | Teacher | Leader in Social Media

Changing the culture of Business

Posted on | May 28, 2010 | No Comments

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
  • 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?”

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Category: Business Insight, Personal Insight
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How do I make money at this?

Posted on | May 27, 2010 | No Comments

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).

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Category: Personal Insight, Social Media
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Testimonial for: The Side Effect of Not Asking Permission

Posted on | May 27, 2010 | No Comments

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.

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Category: Marketing Insight
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