Archive for July, 2008
Diana Nelson, CEO of Kazoo Toys, discusses business trials and triumphs with Tom Polanski
By Tom Polanski, EVP. eBrand Media and eBrand Interactive
Tom Polanski: Folks, I’m very pleased that Diana has found the time to spend a few moments with us today. Hi Diana, I hope that you’re doing well.
Diana Nelson: Thank you Tom. I am and how are you?
Tom Polanski: I’m doing great. Thanks for asking. You bought Kazoo Toys didn’t you?
Diana Nelson: Yes. I purchased Kazoo & Company is 1998 and launched Kazoo Toys in 1999, The Good Toy Group Catalog co-op in 2000 and Kazoo Global in 2008.
Tom Polanski: Why did you target Kazoo Toys for purchase?
Diana Nelson: I looked at an assortment of companies. Franchises, coffee shops, box and tape companies and nothing felt like a good fit. Nothing felt like coming home. I also looked at corporate positions within Fortune 500 companies and going back into the corporate fray. That did not feel right because I knew I needed to find a firm that allowed me time with my sons and cash flow. Nothing fit easily. One conversation led to another and I approached a business (Kazoo) that was not on the market and it was NOT for sale. Of course they stated no they were not interested and not for sale. My comment to them was: “The best things in life are not for sale. Can’t we talk?”
Posted by Tom Polanski in Interviews, Tom Polanski on July 30th, 2008
eBrand Interactive introduces “The Magic of Marketing Workshop” to the Pacific Northwest
The Magic of Marketing Workshop is a boot camp for business leaders and marketing
professionals. The Magic of Marketing workshop agenda covers all aspects of
marketing, providing both strategic and implementation guidance to you and your
organization, so you can put the magic of marketing to work for your company.
The Magic of Marketing Workshop will help you:
–>Develop a successful marketing plan that maximizes your marketing investment
–>Budget for your marketing effort (how much should you be spending?) and calculate
your projected return on investment (ROI)
–>Create your company’s brand strategy (position, promise, and personality) and
marketing message (25, 50, and 100+ word descriptions)
–>Build effective websites (design, search engine optimization and marketing) and
marketing materials (brochures, case studies, etc.)
–>Define a target media list, write effective press releases, and gain media
coverage for your companies and/or products
–>Execute effective marketing campaigns, using tips and techniques for email,
direct mail, advertising, and telemarketing efforts
Posted by Tom Polanski in Advertising, Boomer Marketing, Marketing, eBrand Interactive on July 29th, 2008
15 common sense marketing steps for small business owners to take through thick and thin
By Tom Polanski
Here are 15 excellent marketing reminders for small business owners to think about over the weekend -
1. Conduct a Competitive Analysis and Plan Your Strategy
2. Optimize Your Home Page and Landing Pages
3. Optimize Your Website Copy
4. Implement Your Website Metrics and Testing Platform(s)
5. Improve Your Order Process
6. Develop Your Email Capture
7. Optimize Your Offer Pricing
8. Set Up Your Comparison Shopping Engine Campaigns
9. Set Up Your Pay-Per-Click Campaigns
10. Optimize Your Website for Natural Search Engines
Posted by Tom Polanski in Advertising, Marketing on July 25th, 2008
Tom Polanski is pleased to introduce Stephen Antisdel, managing director of AVID Commerce
Mr. Antisdel mentioned yesterday that we’re missing an important category in eBizine…Strategy. Or more specifically strategy as it relates to the Internet as a marketplace.
In an e-mail exchange Stephen wrote, “this is the essential starting point for all of our client engagements. WorkingPerson.com, www.workingperson.com, is our case-study client that illustrates the importance and potential of great strategy and execution: Inc 500 this year; Internet Retailer Top 50; Hot 100 Best Web Sites, etc, etc.”
He’s offered to share his thoughts with us in an interview which will be published sometime in the future. In preparation for that we thought we’d take this opportunity to give you an opportunity to learn more about Mr. Antisdel.
Stephen Antisdel is the managing director of AVID Commerce, LLC, an e-commerce technology, strategy and marketing firm. He leads the company’s strategic consultancy and is a co-developer of the firm’s AVID Commerce technologies.
Posted by Tom Polanski in Strategy, Tom Polanski on July 23rd, 2008
eBrand Media is delighted to introduce Rob Jones as a regular contributor to eBizine.
By Tom Polanski
eBizine is very pleased that Rob Jones had expressed an interest in contributing to the eBizine community. We’re very impressed by the quality of his thinking and writing. Mr. Jones has been in the marketing department of BuildDirect since 2005 where he found himself quickly caught up in the enthusiasm of working within a company that believes in cutting edge technology and holds the core values of honesty, integrity, and respect for others.
It’s from these beliefs and values that Rob bases his approach to communications and marketing. Involved in nearly every aspect of the marketing process at BuildDirect, Rob has experience in writing customer-friendly web copy that drives traffic and sales, search engine optimization, writing effective eNewsletters, posting articles about products and industry news on blogs that drives interest and traffic, developing online press releases, and more.
When not continuing to learn about technology and how it relates to engaging with customers, Rob is a husband and dad, and keeps his own personal blog about one of his passions – music and music history.
Welcome aboard Rob…and thank you.
Posted by Tom Polanski in Advertising, Marketing, Opinions on July 18th, 2008