Pic Tip Friday: Use bait

Pic Tip # 15: Catch some customers with bait they will bite.

Pic Tip Friday: Visibility

Pic Tip # 14: Put it where people can see it.

Target Your Audiences: Why Men Hate Going to Church

I just finished reading this book about why men either don't pay much attention in church or don't go at all. You don't have to be a Christian to realize the conclusion of the book: Males are not well represented in churches because they do not like the feminine qualities of the church. In other words, if churches would make changes to appeal to a larger audience that includes males and then market themselves to that male audience, male attendance might rise.

Knowing your target audience and developing ways to attract that audience matters.


What have you done to target audiences? Why do you think targeting audiences is important?

Pic Tip Friday: Samples and try outs

Pic Tip # 13:  Let them try it on.

Pic Tip Friday: Light it up

Pic Tip # 12: Light it up. Make it special. If something seems boring, make it exciting. LA Philharmonic does this with its Hollywood Bowl concerts that involve creative lighting and, on occasion, fireworks, as well as video screens that make it easier to see what's happening if you're sitting in the cheap seats.

Pic Tip Friday: Community

Pic Tip # 11: Find a way to make a communal experience. People like fellowship and community. It's more fun when there's someone to do it with.

Pic Tip Friday: I'll scratch your back if you scratch mine

Pic Tip # 10: Make partnerships. This pic is of a wall of fliers for different Bay Area theater companies. But it is found at Hillbarn Theatre. 

Pic Tip Friday: Be the first, brand something unqiue

Pic Tip # 9: Create a unique product. Be the first to brand a genre. Do something different. Combine two genres or two things to make something interesting and new.

Pic Tip Friday: Jokes - Have Fun

Pic Tip # 8: Do something fun and unique.

Pic Tip Friday: Be aware of the times

Pic Tip #7: Be aware of the times and take advantage of current trends or events that might give a new or creative spin to your product, business or service.

Pic Tip Friday: Details, details, details.

Pic Tip # 6: Keep the details in mind.

Pic Tip Friday: Make your attributes shine

Pic Tip #5: Find a way to make your best attributes shine. In this picture, my dad has shaved the rest of his hair to make himself completely bald. His "bald spot" is one of my favorite things about him.

Pic Tip Friday: Where the action is

Pic Tip # 4: Put yourself or your product or service in the middle of where the action is (like TKTS in Times Square).

Pic Tip Friday: Reinvent

Pic Tip # 3: Reinvent (like Lincoln Center did), but without completely throwing out the original. Slow change is better than huge change all at once.

Branding Tips: Be the original

I recently reviewed Riverdance. It was a spectacular show, but not nearly as mind blowing as I expected. So why has it been so successful? Far more successful than all the knock-off dance shows it has inspired? Because it is the original!


Be the first to establish your brand, and you'll live long and well.

Pic Tip Friday: Extraordinary Placement

Pic Tip # 2: Put your product somewhere out of the ordinary where it will stand out.

Digitize and keep your audience involved

SHN San Francisco, the Broadway touring platform for San Francisco, is doing something new and digital with the usual dance party that occurs at the end of the musical HAIR, which is currently playing in San Francisco. SHNSF decided to record the parties and make them available online for patrons to enjoy and share. Patrons can share videos, tag themselves in specific moments of the videos, and comment on the videos (and comments are posted to Facebook). The website also includes easy to use links for buying tickets.

SHN obviously knows how to get the word out, and its tactics are keeping patrons involved online, which keeps SHN on their minds until the next touring show comes around.

How have you used the internet and other digital methods? Do you have any specific tactics for keeping your audience involved?

Music, videos and digital copies

I love combos that come with DVDs, Blu-ray disc, and digital copy. They give you a lot more for your money - or at least they make you feel that way - so you're more likely to buy them. So why haven't music companies started doing this yet? Charge a little extra, but make it look like a good deal by offering to give the customer the MP3s for free to have the music immediately while you wait for the physical CD. After all, the physical CD is phasing out. It's all about digital now.

Pic Tip Friday: All about the display

For the next few weeks I will be posting short marketing tips based on various snap shots. They say that a picture is worth a thousand words, so see what you can learn from the photos I'll be posting.

Here's Pic Tip #1:

Find creative ways to display your product or service.

Lessons from Chick-fil-A: Utilizing tricks and treats

I love Chick-fil-A. Not only do they have great food, but they have great marketing and public relations, as well.

The Chick-fil near Biola University (where I graduated from in May) took advantage of the youth demographic by reaching out to University students with special deals and events. The La Habra Chick-fil-A also has regular special deals for all customers and sends them out via text message if you sign up. One special deal involves giving away free food with the purchase of a large soda on rainy days.

For Halloween, this Chick-fil-A held a costume party for children. Photos were posted on Facebook for voting. What better way is there to reach out to families than to give them the chance to brag about their kids?

What special deals or events do you use to draw customers in?