QR Codes are everywhere from business cards to movie posters. I encourage those who sell physical products where you have the opportunity to include a label and where there is any sort of authentic backstory or marketing spin on the product to think about using a QR Code on the product labeling and integrating it with a social media campaign, email marketing and a dedicated website. There are an endless range of products with which you can tell a positive story and make a further connection between consumer and brand post purchase. From organic food to clothing you have an opportunity to engage your customers when they are considering their purchase, but even more post purchase. Check out how the Detroit Red Wings engaged consumers of programs at a home hockey game. Continue Reading…

I was fortunate enough to hear Lee Lefever of Common Craft speak recently at Mesh Marketing in Toronto. He spoke eloquently about his business (a fascinating story) and described that he has been able to achieve success through what he termed “Mass Democratization”. It is a world where cheap tools combine with a home based business and a web only audience to produce a real revenue generating and full time income stream.

Lee has a fascinating story and there is a full post coming on his “Explainer Network” but I wanted to focus on a few of the many great communication takeaways from his presentation. Continue Reading…

People seem to hate PowerPoint and in some parts I understand where they are coming from, but I think that most people who hate PowerPoint just don’t realize that there are some times where a presentation is so important that you need to hire a professional to help you get your points across. Let’s face it, presentations are necessary but they need not be boring when something big is at stake.

If you’re presenting something routine then make your presentation to the best of your ability and let that be that but if you’re selling your business plan, your vision or even your annual numbers to shareholders, let a graphic design professional take the reigns of beautifying your data. The numbers can tell an amazing story if only you let them. Realize that you don’t need to present simple pie charts, you can really grab people’s attention with the right creative talent.

Show your professionalism by understanding that the real key to your success is in the numbers and in what you present but that a simple presentation will yield the reliable level of interest but if you want someone to really pay attention to what you are trying to present to them you will get that much further by showing them that the presentation was professionally put together.

Check out some more amazing infographics here.

Post image credit – http://www.flickr.com/photos/rajkamalaich/

This is one of the best uses of social media in an area (recreational skiing) you wouldn’t necessarily think has embraced social media yet.

Epic Mix has taken the idea of check-ins, achievements, location services, and applied it all uniquely to skiing. Think Foursquare meets the Nike Run app. You really need to watch the video to understand just how nicely this is all tied together.

Tip of the cap to @janicediner who shared this video at Mesh Marketing. Continue Reading…