Marketing Your Creativity

It’s that time of the year . . . apple picking season.  It’s one of my favorite times of year because I have an apple tree in my yard that produces enough apples for me to not have to buy from the store for several months.  I love apples and eat one almost every day.  Occasionally, I switch it up with another fruit, but apples are mainstay in my diet.  I personally prefer sweet/tart apples like Fuji or Pink Lady and luckily I have a variety of Fuji producing an abundance of flavorful apples right outside my door.  My friend calls them “Jolly Rancher Apples” because they really do taste just like the candy.

When I moved into the house and the tree started producing, I had to learn (more…)

Avast! As I write this article, on Sunday, September 19, 2010, it is the International “Talk Like a Pirate Day.”  I could attempt to continue writing in pirate speak; however, I’m going to walk the plank and tell you how I’ve successfully used holidays in my marketing messages over the past couple of years.

First, how did I know that it is “Talk Like a Pirate Day”?  It’s actually on my desk calendar.  I also regularly consult the Brownie Locks (www.brownielocks.com) website which lists all known and sometime very obscure holidays; including month and week celebrations.   (more…)

There is an old saying about getting a job (especially in Los Angeles), that it’s not what you know, but who you know.  Well, this is true not only in getting a job but also in getting and keeping customers.  Success (rather than, guilt) by association.  If you know or have met a “celebrity,” somehow your “status” goes up.  And you don’t really need to “know” the celebrity.  You just have to story or photo linking you to them.

I have literally physically bumped into Jay Leno, not once – but twice.  Of course he apologized when it was clearly my fault (I can be a bit of a klutz).  The first time was at Virgin Records on Sunset Strip.   (more…)

I was a production/directing theatre major and as part of my education, I had to go out on stage.  One time I was sent out in a full beard as Polonius in Hamlet, but that’s a story for another time.  I hated being on stage, because like 90% of the population, I had stage fright.  What if the audience thought I wasn’t good enough or I forgot my lines?  I much preferred being behind the scenes doing everything from props to directing.  Of course, deep down, I hoped that someone would “discover” me.  But how could they?  I was not stepping into the spotlight to be seen.

I guess wearing the beard on stage did change my perspective, because after you’ve done that – you can pretty much do anything.   (more…)