Recent Marketing and Advertising Articles

for Your Small Business

Last night I was watching the local news, and amidst all the typical doom and gloom stories the media loves to share, there was a fascinating interview that took place.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP – the way-over-made-fun-of guys in red with funny looking cowboy hats) blatantly egged on the Hells Angels. The RCMP officer being interviewed actually blamed the Hells Angels on pretty well all of the crime in Canada… You name it… they are to blame.

Now, I don’t condone what the Angels do, but I will say the RCMP are absolute morons to believe crime would disappear if the Hells Angels disappeared too.

There has always been crime – and there always will be crime… it’s one of the facts of life. There will always be people who take advantage of others, and those who thrive off the underground money making activities.

The Hells Angels did something VERY surprising… they went on television too. They actually asked a local Calgary News reporter for an interview to counter this officer’s claims.

– And prove to them that if the Angels were to disappear, crime would too.

They made the RCMP’s claim look as ridiculous as it is.

Yes, The Hells Angels do commit crimes – they never said they don’t. But to go on national tv with a ridiculous claim like this is a challenge – and the Hells Angels countered the challenge.

So what does this have to do with advertising and marketing?

Lots.

Robert Allen issued a challenge to the skeptics – put him in a city he doesn’t know for 72 hours with only $100 to his name – and he would own at least one piece of property after 72 hours with NONE OF HIS OWN MONEY.

A big challenge to prove his system works.

And he delivered – actually he bought 4 properties in 72 hours with no money down.

He became massively famous by throwing down the gauntlet and challenging the media.

How can you use the challenge technique?

Challenge your customers to provide the best video testimonial of the benefits they have received from using your products (all kinds of corporations are using this idea now). You will get incredible video footage you can use in commercials – advertising marketing campaigns – lead generation campaigns, etc.

Challenge your competitors to a dual. Southwest Airlines is famous for major media challenges – and EVERYONE benefits.

Challenge your suppliers to help you decrease your supply costs – best proposals win a year long exclusive contract

Challenge your employees to come up with one new business-improvement idea a week. The top ones can be implemented by the person recommending them, and are rewarded with status, even prizes and publicity.

Challenge the media with a big claim you make – and that you will prove that claim once-and-for-all in front of the world.

Find a challenge – and try it out

I have a challenge and a contest coming up for the most creative marketing techniques being used (not ideas – but ones actually used with favorable results). There will be cash prizes, rewards, and a ton of publicity for the winners. More to come.

Everyone LOVES a challenge… give it to them.