Duct Tape Marketing - Latest Comments in Are You Waffling?

Re: Are You Waffling?

SEO Tips South Africa — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 13:24:57 -0000

Go for the jugular in no uncertain terms. Makes good business sense to me!

Re: Are You Waffling?

David Chiles — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 19:51:58 -0000

I'm wonder how the process of narrowly defining your market applies to a new business or a business in the planning stages? I'm referring to the case where you don't, necessarily, have major customers to analyze. Anyone willing to share ideas on approaching this? Is primary and secondary research good enough? Just looking for ideas? Thanks.

Re: Are You Waffling?

web Content — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 02:09:00 -0000

great post john,
One thing I've noticed with a lot of our clients is that they teend to speak in ever-expanding and confusingly circling riddles, their website content, mission statements and press releases use a lot of big words to say next to nothing, I've found that this illicits a sense of mistrust from their public 'cos it sounds as if they're hiding something with their complete lack of straight-forward, direct communication

Re: Are You Waffling?

Greenville SEO — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 12:47:45 -0000

I work with a lot of big companies at my 9-5 job and its funny how they never want to take a stand. They are so scared of what the public will think or say that they end up fading into the background.

If more companies would take a stand it would probably help to weed out all of the other mediocre businesses.

Re: Are You Waffling?

Angie A. Swartz — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 12:02:00 -0000

I love that you are persistent about writing about the niche. As you know, I consistenly follow your blog and I notice that you write about this topic at least monthly. I know, you do this because we all need to be reminded...again and again. We have to specialize if we are going to reach our target. We just can't be everything to everyone because if we try, we end up confusing everyone and reaching nobody. I have to continue to remind myself to be targeted and to remind my clients of the same thing. Thanks John...keep telling me...Please! I need to hear it!
Angie
@aaswartz on Twitter.
www.sixfiguremomsclub.com

Re: Are You Waffling?

Jacob Angel — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 03:47:16 -0000

This is an assignment I've often given to potential clients. The temptation for a business, store, clinic, etc. to say "Oh, we'll sell to anyone" is overwhelming, but it's incredibly damaging.

I ask them to write two or three "profiles" of their potential buyers ... age, gender, lifestyle, etc. etc. It's (as you say) a very challenging assignment but it pays off in spades when it comes to designing a marketing campaign.

Re: Are You Waffling?

Jan Verhoeff — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 02:07:49 -0000

Waffle Maker Marketing has been around for a long time. It's the kind of marketing that keeps your buying audience coming back time after time for more of what you fill the holes in your waffles with. How can you miss, if you fill up the holes with enticing, value ridden content that offers solutions your readers need. Give them what they want and they'll come back for more!

Re: Are You Waffling?

Andrew Sokol — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 18:58:06 -0000

I couldn't agree more. I often tell clients it takes courage to differentiate and focus on a niche because it means saying 'no' to certain potential clients. That's a hard thing to do, but the most effective strategy in the long run. -Andrew

Re: Are You Waffling?

ducttape — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 09:14:19 -0000

@Kris - awesome, send me the link I would love to keep this in mind for a follow-up when you feel you have some insights.

Re: Are You Waffling?

Kris Bovay — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 02:02:10 -0000

Okay. I'll take up the challenge - starting with my website tomorrow (because it's the easiest to update). I like this idea: fit is important for both the client and for me. I'll let you know how it works.

Re: Are You Waffling?

Bob Warfield — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 11:13:48 -0000

Great post!

It's so hard to avoid the waffle, but so essential to do so. I've seen it work well to draw this public focus and fail miserably to waffle.