Create Your Own Storm

When someone says, “Let’s brainstorm,” it brings to mind a few different feelings. The creative part of me loves to brainstorm new ideas or ways to look at things. The “let’s get to it” part of me sometimes sighs at the concept, knowing that it could take us off on tangents and eat valuable time. Overall, brainstorming is a positive concept—it harbors innovation and improvement, creativity and teamwork.

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Promotional Products: If It Ain’t Broke, Leave It Be

I wrote recently in this space about swag that went wrong for Goldman Sachs at a conference for women in tech. In fact, the comments on that post continue over in the Promo Marketing LinkedIn Group (If you’re on LinkedIn, and you aren’t already a member of this group, you should be—there are some very interesting contributors and some great discussions).

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Don’t Build that crAPP!

“I have this idea for an app,” is how the conversation starts. I brace myself. I want to be open-minded, but I can’t help it. The app ideas floating around, especially in the promotional products industry, are crAPP. I listen, I wait for it, and it never comes.

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The Search for Inspiration

Your best idea can happen when you least expect it. The key is to keep an open mind. Read on to see how a green dress can inspire reptilian-themed promotions.

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Six Things to Not Do On LinkedIn and in Social Media Forums…Think Before You Post!

My last two rants have covered the irritating hijacking of productive online networking discussions. In this Rant, I’m going to offer some basic DON’T suggestions for posting on LinkedIn and in other social media forums.

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The First Step of Small-Business Marketing: Choice Responses

The most thought-provoking responses to last week’s question of, “When planning a marketing campaign, what is the first question you ask?”

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Are Your Clients Shopping Your Ideas? Here’s What You Can Do

An idea for a marketing campaign using promotional products that a distributor shared with a client went to another vendor. This is frustrating situation. How can you avoid having this happening to you?

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Art Exhibits, Black Holes and Laughter

I wasn’t too sure what to write about this week, my poor pea brain being otherwise occupied with proofing August and planning out my Sept. stories. I managed to dig up a few links though that you might find interesting: 

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