Marketing that Rocks

Believe it or not, there are good examples of marketing out there. Learn, but don't copy. Marketing that Rocks

Marketing that Sucks

It is less costly to learn from the mistakes of others. Check out this new blog that can help you avoid the mistakes of others. Marketing that Sucks

Flipping the Funnel--Free New Ebook

I have been in Seth Godin (marketing guru) mode for the past few months. I have been reading all of his books and am now addicted to his blog. I was pretty stoked to see that he has written a new ebook and is giving it away for free. There are three versions and one is focused specifically on Non-Profits! Go ahead, check it out, it don't cost nothin'... Seth's Blog: Flipping the Funnel--new ebook

By the way, I emailed Seth about a week ago in response to his post about marketing funnels. I sent him a copy of my article on the marketing funnel and look at this great reply I got:

"bingo. Thanks Michael"

Short and pithy, that's why he's the master I guess.

Beginning of the End (of the Spear)?

Just got this message from Will Good, Communications pastor at West County Christian Church:

"Thought you guys would be interested in this incredible story of how this film is making an impact on a global level. From a marketing aspect it’s incredible because every day I get an update with testimonies of how this film is affecting people and really facilitating some incredible dialogues. Talk about building brand strength!"

End of the Spear Movie

Ford's Challenge

Ford President, Mark Fields talks about the immense task of turning around a behemoth like Ford. It is a matter of survival for Ford and the thousands they employ. NPR : Ford's North American Chief Sets Sights on Restructuring

Thanks to Will Good of Nexdesign for letting me know about this story.

True Quotes from the Workplace

Dilbert.com - DNRC: " INDUHVIDUAL QUOTES
Here now, some quotes from Induhviduals, many of whom are allowed to operate motor vehicles, and have children, sometimes simultaneously.

'I don't want anybody stepping on anybody else's thunder.'

'You can't pull the sheep over my eyes!'

'I'm thinking in my brain.'

'What is that disease where if someone loses a lot of blood they just die?'

'Clean as a baby's bottom.'

'I don't mean to take the steam out of your sails, but...'

'She has not seen one red dime from him.'

'I used to be as sharp as a button.'

'That'll put the monkey in your court.'

'We don't want this project to snowball into a can of worms.'

'up the creek in a hand bag.'

'It's best not to open that can of wax.'

'Let's pair up into threes.'

'I just thought myself into a corner.'

'We really need to hang on to our coattails to ride the waves of change.'

'That way I can kill two bricks with one stone.' "

Messiah Complex

Kanye has already been acting like God's gift to mankind, now he has the photos to prove it. Is he really like this, or is he just manipulating the media (and bloggers)? Read it in his own words, but beware there are some four letter doozies in the text.

Rolling Stone : West World

The Million Dollar Homepage - A Piece of Internet History?

Hats off to Alex Tew, creator of the Million Dollar Home Page. The site looks like a big mess, but it works because it is unique and Alex was the first person to think of it.

What ideas do you have? Instead of scrambling to get on board with the latest marketing trends, why not start your own trend? If you succeed, everyone will be copying you, buying your products and reading your books. And if you are a church you may be able to reach more people for Christ- that's worth more than a million dollars!

The Million Dollar Homepage - a piece of internet history?

Flashy Jesus Site

This is a cool site with information, quizes, games, and interactive puzzles focusing on Jesus. Take a look at the site map first, or you will get lost in a hurry..:::rejesus - about us - site map:::.

Fresh and Funky Church Ads for Postmoderns

The Church Advertising Network (CAN) has some interesting ads for Christmas and Easter. You can download the campaigns for your own church.

Thanks to Church Marketing Sucks for turning me onto this site.

Capitalism

Why is Ford closing plants? Are they greedy capitalists that don't care about the well being of their workers? I think it is more likely that they make crappy cars and the prices are too high thanks to the artificially high wages they must pay union laborers. Bad quality plus high prices equals no sales in a capitalistic society. They have been bleeding cash for years. The question is not why they are closing the plants, but what has taken them so long? Don't get me wrong, I feel bad for those people losing their jobs. They have hitched their wagon to a dying breed. I hope they are able to find work for another automaker that understands the needs of the market and is better able to take care of its workers long term.Ford to Cut Up to 30,000 Jobs, Shut Plants - Yahoo! News

Bible Trivia Quiz For Kids & Adults

Check out these free Bible trivia games and quizzes. Bible Trivia Quiz For Kids & Adults

Are You a Micromanager?

There are two types of people in this world, micromanagers and those they micromanage. The only people aware of the situation are those people being micromanaged. It is a suffocating and paralyzing position to be in. Usually you are told that you are trusted with a task so you are given little direction, then you are second guessed for not doing the task as expected.

Are you a micromanager? Can you let go of a task and trust others even if they do it different than you and perhaps even make a mistake? You can not perform every ministry task yourself. Even if you think you can, you shouldn't since you are preventing other people from being part of the process and participating in ministry. Jesus could have personally ministered to every person on the planet, yet he chose to develop the leadership abilities of 12 men and entrusted them with the task. They went on to teach more people following Christ's example and eventually reached the whole world. If you are a micromanager, you are not following Christ's example.

Sports Ministry Outreach

I just watched a special on Primary Focus about hockey obsessed youth and parents getting burned out by sports and the constant focus on competition. Reach Forth Sports Ministry in Canada is offering an alternative, and never plays on Sunday. Sports is a great way for churches to reach out to the members of their community in a non threatening way.

Homeschool Niche

Saint Louis Christian College has had the foresight to focus on a niche market- Home Schoolers. It seems obvious after the fact that most of these students are highly motivated, do well academically and will be getting a college education outside the home. SLCC is smart enough to cater to this segment that usually gets little attention from the established academic community.

Homeschool Students - Future Students - Saint Louis Christian College

Press Releases Are Not Just for the Press Anymore

I like this Scott guy. He understands the importance of content, and he explains how press releases can be a powerful way to reach customers directly when done the right way. Press releases are not just for the press anymore. Read a great primer on how to use press releases in Scott's free ebook. I guess you could say you get to read it scott free.

Web Ink Now: New complimentary e-book - The new rules of PR: How to create a press release strategy for reaching buyers directly

And if you need help in writing your press release check out PR Zap! for answers.

Content is King

I've been reading some articles about web design and search engine marketing. A recurring theme is the importance of content, like this excerpt from David Meerman Scott's new book Cashing in on Content:

Even today, when marketers consider “the brand,” they think visually, rather than about Web site content. Yes, the visual aspects of branding are certainly important to Web marketers, but what’s really at stake—in fact what branding’s really about—is a focus on the customer. As each customer builds an emotional response to a company, that emotion becomes the brand-image for that person. Fortunately, some great Web marketers understand that the provision of quality Web content, together with useful layout and reliable customer support, does more to build brand than pretty logos, cool design, and hip color choices.

The way to reach customers is through answering their questions. This happens with good and easy to navigate content. It's also a reason why blogs work so well. Content is king.

Preview of Scott's new book (PDF)

Michael Daehn's Quick Guide to Internet Marketing: 9 Tips for Success on the Net

To market successfully you must incorporate the Internet into your business plan, but be sure to follow these 9 tips for success on the net:

1 Get Sticky
Your site is sticky if it keeps visitors looking and returning to your site. A good way to do this is to have up to date relevant information or “heroin content.”

2 Heroin Content
“Heroin content” is what web usability guru Vincent Flanders calls the information that people would crawl through a sewer for. Heroin is the most addictive drug on the planet so people will do anything for another fix. What does your website provide visitors that they just gotta have?

3 Customize
The unique quality of the internet is the ability to interact and customize content. Customized content keeps them coming back for more. Keep the connection alive by following up with useful information and news.

4 Start Your Engines
Customers that don’t know you will likely find you through a search engine. The trick is getting the search engines to find you first. Invest in good search engine software, or pay someone who knows how it works.

5 Provide Answers
People use search engines to find solutions to their problems. Is your site about solving your customer’s headaches? Most sites are self centered. Make yours customer centered by providing answers to their questions.

6 Hard Sell Vs Soft Sell
Build relationships by providing value before the sale. When it comes time to purchase, you already have an established relationship. Ask yourself what you can do for your customer rather than what your customer can do for you.

7 Navigate Straight
Don’t create a million dollar website with ten cent navigation. Simple easy to follow navigation is far more effective than nonsensical animated graphics. Think Google!

8 Be Professional
Your site reflects your work ethic and the type of service you are likely to provide your customers. Put some time, effort and money into your site to show you are top notch.

9 Don’t Be Professional
People are looking for an original and authentic voice, not the same boiler plate information. Nobody likes stiff and snobby people and they won’t like their websites either. Take advantage of the rare opportunity when someone reads your content to make a real personal connection.

How Much is Your Blog Worth?

According to the Business Opportunities Weblog, this blog is worth $0.00. But I'm sure it is priceless to you. Find out how much your blog is worth.

Marketing to the Majority

On his Blogpage marketing guru Seth Godin speaks to the allure people feel to market to the majority. This approach tends to be very costly and ineffective for most, but deadly for churches. It violates many of the principles laid out in Key 5: Build Relationships (from the Seven Keys to Markting Genius) by targeting the top of the Marketing Funnel. Most churches in America have a small budget and a small geographic population they are trying to reach. Big budget marketing, mass advertising and impersonal campaigns are a waste of money that have little effect for the Kingdom.

Hablo Espanol?

I have already had a request for a Spanish version of my Marketing the Church book. Anyone out there interested in translating it? I will publish it and share the revenues with you.

For Love or Money

Think of a time when you had to be patient for money. You have an irate customer making wild demands and shaking a finger in your face, but you grin bear it and say "let's find a solution to your problem," while thinking about the money you are making to listen to this person. Is there a greater motivation than money? Christians are supposed to be motivated by love. So why is it that I can have such patience at work for money, but far less patience at home for love? Perhaps I should take the same approach as I do with a crazy customer: realize it is part of my job to listen and be patient. Besides I have some huge treasures being stored up in heaven at that moment, right?

Matthew 6:20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. Matthew 6:19-21 (in Context) Matthew 6

Hollywood's New Passion for Churches

Hollywood is focusing on creating religious and church friendly fare. They are also putting together elaborate church marketing campaigns. Is this a victory for churches or has Hollywood found a way to work it's way into the church doors as a wolf in sheep's clothing? Has Hollywood become more open minded, or has the Church? ABC News: Hollywood Marketing Films Through Churches

Postmodernism

If you are not familiar with what postmodernism means, then the idea of Marketing the Church will not make much sense to you either. Read this primer for a quick study on the age we live in. It should only take you an hour or two. Amazon.com: Postmodernism for Beginners: Books

Lulu Titlescorer

According to the Lulu Titlescorer the title Marketing the Church has a 20.1% chance of being a bestselling title. I'm 20.1% thrilled. What would you title a book? Apparently if you come up with a winning title it does not matter what the content is.

People are Seeking Spritual Answers Online

According to the Pew Internet Project over 20% of Internet users (nearly 20 million) have used the Internet to seek spiritual and religious information- on an average day more than 2 million people are getting spiritual material online. Is your ministry leveraging the communciation capabilities of the Internet? If you need a website solution from a company with Christian principles, check out Christian Technology Solutions.

Are Men Bored at Church?

According to statistics- Yes, and this book and website explain why.

I have to admit that the title caugh my eye. Unfortunately boring is often a term I use to describe church. Something is wrong since being a follower of Christ should be anything but boring. What has happened to the way we "do" church in America that it has become boring to most men? Murrow has some interesting takes on why this is the case.

Nude Bible Calendar (edited version)

Check out the latest youth group fundraiser- European style.

Is this a case of becoming too culturally relevant or good marketing in action? Use scripture to support your answer. (Beware: there is a scantilly clad woman in the picture on this link)

THEOOZE - conversation for the journey

Very cool site started by some of my friends at Rock Harbor.

RELEVANT MAGAZINE

A magazine (and website) that's relevant to Christians living in a postmodern world. Check it out.

High Impact, Low Cost Communication

Are You Looking for a Low Cost High Impact Way to Get Quick Exposure on the Web?

Submitting a press release on the Internet is the most cost effective way to get measured results and improve your search engine placement.

PR Zap! specializes in Internet Press Release Distribution using PRWeb. Tell the story of your company or organization in a news release format and grab the attention of thousands of reporters and Internet users.

PR Zap! gets your story ready for print and sets up distribution with PR Web. Track your results- see the number of times your release has been read, picked up by the media, printed, and forwarded. View a screenshot.

Share What You Wear

Share What You Wear to Start Up Meaningful Conversations
Wear these thought provoking shirts and be prepared to give an answer for the hope that lies within you.

"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." (I Peter 3:15)

Church Marketing Sucks?

I may have a kindred spirit with the founders of this company. They have some good things to say on their website, along with some cool resources. Their graphics aren't too shabby either- but what would you expect? www.churchmarketingsucks.com

There's a new blog in town and it's called Squidoo

Squidoo is a new blog with extra features like links, RSS feeds, and the ability to post ads. It is the brainchild of marketing guru Seth Godin. Instead of blogs, each page is called a lens. Check out the Marketing the Church lens here Squidoo : Lenses : Marketing the Church. Be sure to leave me a good rating while you are there (-;

New Book Shows You How to Sell the Gospel without Selling Out

A new book by Michael Daehn called Marketing the Church shows you how to communinicate your church's purpose and passion in a modern context.

Should Your Church Use Marketing? Does marketing belong in the Church at all. There are many people today saying the Church needs to learn how to market itself and use modern marketing techniques, but is this biblical? Is this an example of the secular creeping into the sacred? What should be the response of the Church?Is there a connection between the Church- which sounds spiritual and theological, and Marketing- which sounds business-like and worldly? At first glance it may not seem so, but that is because of the different terminology being used. But look again. Is there a common denominator between these two pursuits? The core vocation of Christians is to share the Gospel (effectively communicate with people), while the sole purpose of marketing is to effectively share a message (effectively communicate with people.)

Get the book now (Receive 10% off the cover price)

Purpose of the book
This book shows you how to use marketing to become more effective at communicating with people. The stakes are high for churches because the product is a message of hope. That message brings people into relationship with God, grows His kingdom, and enables the Christian to be faithful to the great commission.. The payoff is having your heavenly Father say to you, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:21)

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