Posts by Steve Stroum
Creating Remarkable News Releases
In order to get the most publicity for my small business clients, I had to assure that Venmark International would be a “source of information” for media outlets around the world.
Read MoreHow to Conduct Market Research Using Product Publicity
Many years ago, a client of mine in the plastics business was driving his expensive motor home during the winter in New England and his windshield wipers kept collecting ice. Aggravated that he had to lean out his window while driving this large $250,000.00 vehicle and bang the ice and snow off of the wipers,…
Read MoreThe New Rules of Marketing & PR
In his 2010 book, “The New Rules of Marketing and PR,” the author David Meerman Scott, wrote, “Don’t just send news releases when big news is happening; find good reasons to send them all the time.”
Read MoreAre You Fundamentally Unemployable?
I love LinkedIn and definitely recognize its value. But, see too many questions about starting businesses that are way off the mark. Too “what if” oriented and too academic. For many of us, starting a business was a visceral experience.
Read MoreDo You Have a “Sell-Me-Or-Else” Attitude?
I met a prospect several months ago who perceives himself to be an expert salesman and something interesting happened. He judged me, not on the basis of my work, but by assessing “how hard I sold him.”
Read MoreManaging Your Small Company Brand
“A great brand raises the bar. It adds a greater sense of purpose to the experience, whether it’s a brand challenge to do your best in sports or fitness [like Nike], or the affirmation that the cup of coffee you’redrinking really matters,” said Howard Schultz, Starbucks Chairman.
Read MorePlace High in Organic Search Results by Arousing Interest in Your Products
“Content is King,” is more than a cliché today. Savvy marketers understand how news is created and know the value of it. They also understand how search engines work.
Read MoreSelling to Engineers who Belittle Marketing
In his classic 1957 book, “The Hidden Persuaders,” Vance Packard wrote about marketing in the automobile industry and how they put convertibles on display in their showrooms to attract customers, the majority of whom would purchase sedans.
Read MoreCreate a One-Two Sales Knockout Punch
The events that stimulate a prospective customers’ buying behavior are outside of your control; regardless of how great a sales team you have.
Read MoreMeasuring Product Publicity’s Return-on-Investment
Back in 1975 an article in “Advertising Age Magazine” entitled, “Money Can’t Buy This Kind of Advertising” went into a lengthy discussion about the value of publicity as a marketing tool.
Read MoreProduct Publicity, Much More Than a Press Release
Content is king on the internet. There’s no disputing that. And cyber-clutter makes the need for a professional product publicist more important today than ever before.
Read MoreIs it Still Important to be Punctual?
Last May 2011, President Obama kept TV hosts and viewers around the world waiting for his major speech on Middle East and North Africa foreign policy by more than a half hour.
Read MoreGood News is a Money Maker
When Google reported sales and profit that topped analysts’ estimates, their stock value increased $68.68 or 12% in one day! On the other hand, bad news can hammer a stock. Because news is powerful!
Read MorePower to the People
That’s what Diversified Technologies’ Micro-Grid Power Distribution System can accomplish for the integration of solar power generators.
Read MoreThe Internet Changed Everything… and Nothing
Bill Gates said, “A fundamental new rule for business is that the Internet changes everything.” Is this true for marketing?
Read MoreTalk Isn’t Cheap
It was 1984 and I was selected to become a member of the Norbert Weiner Forum at Tufts University to study the “Impact of Technology on Society.” This was quite an honor for a blue collar kid from Auburndale, a small village in Newton, Massachusetts.
Read MoreLow Pricing Can Kill Your Business!
It was one of those days you don’t ever forget. Like JFK’s assassination, the Space Shuttle Challenger explosion, and O.J.’s acquittal. I remember exactly where I was the day I lost a sale because my fee was too low!
Read MoreInspiration on a Yacht
Several years ago I was sailing with a client on his very gorgeous and expensive yacht. He was a great skipper and host. After he prepared my favorite rum and coke with a lime, he said, “You can put your drink here in this box.” The boat cost over a million dollars and the box,…
Read MoreProduct News, the Great Equalizer
Todol’s product, a two-part urethane foam sealant was selected by Professional Builder Magazine as one of the year’s top 100 products. You’ll notice Todol is sharing the page with Kilz, Sherwin Williams, and Quickcrete, top suppliers and large companies.
Read MoreAdopt an Editor’s Perspective
Companies need to understand what media outlets are looking for. And what they are looking for is meaningful content that adds-value to their website or publication.
Read MoreMarketing Logic
According to the Wiktionary, logic is “A method of human thought that involves thinking in a linear, step-by-step manner about how a problem can be solved.” This is the context in which I would like to present what I refer to as Venmark Marketing Logic.
Read MoreWill You be There When the Customer is Ready to Buy?
Regardless of how effective a salesperson you are, the events that stimulate a prospective customer’s buying behavior are outside of your control.
Read MoreA Lesson From the Recession
We all know someone who has suffered a heart attack and it prompted them to change their lifestyle. They started a healthy diet and began an exercise program to live better and prevent another potentially fatal heart problem. Lesson learned.
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