Marketing (Elements of Blogging) ( #AtoZChallenge ) and Mercy Mercy Me ( #BOTB )

      Some blogs are about the topic of marketing while other blogs might be engaged in actual marketing.   In one sense of the concept of marketing, all blogs are marketing ideas, products, or people.  When we consider that marketing is making something palatable to make others want it then we all do some form of marketing all the time.

        Taking marketing to a business perspective in regards to blogging, a blog can be used to sell a blogger's products (books, craft works, real estate, or whatever they are trying to sell) or services (photography, editing, travel planning or another type of service).

        Another blog topic starting with "M" is Music.  Tossing It Out frequently discusses the topic of music especially in the bi-monthly Battle of the Bands feature.

      Today being the 15th it's time for another Battle of the Bands, the blogging event first introduced by our friends at Far Away Series and  StMcC Presents Battle of the Bands.   This event happens twice each month on the 1st and 15th.   The premise is simple:  Listen to the songs presented below and then in the comments vote for your favorite and tell us why you liked it.  Then visit the links listed near the bottom of this post for more Battle action.

Marketing the Ecology

        Scam, hype, or passionate cause--whatever you might want to say it is--the green movement has been on the minds of many for at least a couple of centuries.  In our own age a big marketing push for conservation was stirred after the publication of Rachel Carson's book Silent Spring in 1962.  The conservation movement has grown ever since.  Now marketers take advantage of "green" and "natural" labeling of products.  Advertising campaigns have been centered around the eco-friendliness of products.   Government has taken rein of many issues related to protecting the environment.

         The movement has not been lost on the entertainment community with many celebrities endorsing their favorite causes and speaking out to save whatever they are interested in saving.  Marvin Gaye was on the forefront of the socially conscious music movement in 1971 as he released one of the greatest albums of all time What's Going On.  This album addresses injustice, hatred, and the ills of modern society including the movement to preserve the Earth.  One of the hits from this great album is "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)".   To hear the original you can click the link in the preceding sentence.   I offer two renditions of this great song in today's Battle of the Bands.

Michael McDonald "Mercy Mercy Me" (2004)




The Strokes  "Mercy Mercy Me"  (2006)




Time to Vote!

     Which do you prefer?    It's up to you to determine the winner.   Please vote on your favorite by letting us know your choice in the comment section and tell us why you prefer the one you chose.  Then after you've finished here, please visit the other blogs listed below who may or may not be participating this time around.   And if you've put up your own BOTB contest let us know that as well so we can vote on yours.

Here are some other places where you might find BOTB posts:

‘FAR AWAY SERIES’ 

 StMcC Presents Battle of the Bands

 ‘YOUR DAILY DOSE’ 

  'MIKE'S RAMBLINGS'

'Curious as a Cathy'

Sound of One Hand Typing

Book Lover

This Belle Rocks

DC Relief Battle of the Bands

Results on April 22nd

       I'm posting every day except Sundays on Tossing It Out during April since it's Blogging from A to Z month.  You can vote on this current Battle any time between now and Tuesday April 21 when the votes will be tallied.  Keep dropping by for my daily A to Z posts, but don't forget to come back to see which version of "Mercy Mercy Me" won this Battle. 

      Does overt sales marketing on blogs bother you?   Do you ever consider that you are marketing yourself on a daily basis?   Do you think that with the ecology and green movements we are sometimes being sold a bill of goods or even being sold down the river?

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    Be sure to check out the A to Z Blog to read about our Marketing Experiment!
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Happiness and Hope #atozchallenge

         Every ending doesn't have to be happy.  Real life is like that.  But it is nice if there is a ray of hope somewhere in the future.   It's better not to dwell in Downerland all the time.  If your whole world is negativity then you're eventually going to kill whatever audience you have if you ever managed to acquire any audience in the first place.

        Negativity and depression is tedious and tiring for both you and those who are around you.   Happiness instills an inner peace and an outward energy which in turn encourages hopefulness.   A positive outlook needs to start with you before you can pass it on to others.

        Say for example you are going for a job interview or trying to make a good impression on someone with whom you'd like a relationship, you'd most likely start with a smile and a pleasant demeanor would you not?  This is the basis of good marketing.  And it goes beyond first impressions.   You don't always have to be bubbly or sugar-coated, but a positive nature will draw people to you.

        Most marketing focuses on the happy side.  The marketer typically sets out to show how what they're offering can bring happiness.   Generally speaking, people are looking for something that will inspire happiness within them and fill them with hope for a better tomorrow.    Even if only a temporary fix is being offered, the goal of good marketing is to suggest that the answer to finding hope and happiness is at hand.

   
Battle of the Bands winner

       Since my most recent Battle of the Bands coincided with opening day of the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge, it's not too surprising that I had a record number of votes for this contest.   However I was a bit surprised by the outcome.  I fully expected a rout by the venerable Fab Four.  It did not happen.

       As I had expected the Beatles version of "Act Naturally" was the over all more preferred with 45 total votes including my own.   I've been a long time fan of the Beatles and Ringo was the first one I ever heard perform the song "Act Naturally".   I prefer the skiffle band country sound that their version has--the instruments sound better to me and I enjoy the vocals more.   Buck is good, but the Beatles are my preferred taste in music.

      Now Buck Owens did not get totally trounced in the contest.  His version ended up with a very respectable 38 votes--far more than I had anticipated.   Owens always came across as a pretty likeable guy to me so I'm glad to see him get the respect that he received from the voters.

      Final tally for "Act Naturally":   Beatles 45 votes to Buck Owens 38 votes.

       Next Battle of the Bands comes on Tuesday April 15th.  Hope you'll visit and vote again.  I'll be once again tying the song I use into my A to Z theme of Promotion and Marketing.

         Do you have a positive feel about yourself or whatever it is you are marketing?   Do you feel that you could be contributing to another's sense of well-being and happiness with your product or yourself?    Can you think of some examples where the negative approach works best?       

     

     

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Dream Big #atozchallenge

Climb_Mayan Temple_Coba_Mexico_Sep12 (Photo credit: Ian Halsey)

            Success always starts with a dream.  Big dreams can lead to big success just as much as they can lead to big failures.   The key is to dream realistically.   Daydreaming about fantasies can be fun and have a place in our lives, but those fantasy dreams should not be our main vehicle to use on the road to reaching success.

            There's certainly nothing wrong with starting out with a big dream.  You might want to start big in order to get enthusiastic.  Then you have to put the dream into realistic perspective.  Understand how you can make a big dream succeed within your means and abilities.

              If it's a marketing campaign you're putting together, you want a decent return on your efforts.  You want to get the word out about your product in the most effective way to reach the broadest audience.  Do the research to see what has worked best for others and decide if that might be the same thing that could work for you.  Enlist the aid of those who are willing to help you.   Others want to see you succeed. They are often willing to share in your dream.

             Don't dream bigger than your reality. You wouldn't want to lose money on your marketing efforts.  If you do invest in marketing try to look beyond the initial campaign to see if you are laying a foundation for future campaigns.   Diversify your marketing attempts.  If you dump all of your resources into one big advertisement you are taking a risky gamble.  Be careful about not spending more on the marketing that you will realistically recoup in the sales of your product.  The marketplace may not believe in your product as much as unrealistic dreams can lead you to believe.

           Dream big on the first day, then think realistically on the second.   Hope for the best, but don't have any expectation that all will turn out as you imagined.   You don't get to the top of a mountain by flapping your arms and flying.  You have to climb the mountain to get to the top and often it can be a tough climb with many obstacles.  You might have to try more than once.  Sometimes you won't even make it to the top of that mountain.   But there is always another mountain to climb.

           Don't ever stop dreaming.   Dream big.  Dream often.  And most importantly be sure to act on those dreams.
         
           Do you give up easily when things get tough?    How have others helped you attain a dream?    Has there been a time when you invested too much in the pursuit of a dream?

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Calculated Risk #atozchallenge

Margaret Mahy book signing (Photo credit: Christchurch City Libraries)

           One of the biggest fears that people have about self-promotion is that of rejection.  Getting turned down and receiving negative feedback is not pleasant, but it's probably going to happen when you're putting yourself out there trying to get others interested in you or whatever you're trying to foist upon them.  In fact I can almost guarantee it.

             Put that rejection on your list of things that can possibly go wrong in your marketing endeavors.  It may sound like a glum approach to look at the negatives of a considered venture, but it's more realistic to factor minuses in with the pluses.  Letting your dreams drive you can lead to miserable failure.  It's far better to let the dreams inspire you and have a road map to show you the way with detour options if needed.

           Any marketing involves risk, but if you look at all of the possible outcomes then you have what is known as a calculated risk.  When you believe strongly in your dream it can be easy think up all the good things that can happen.  You get excited when you begin to consider the great prospects ahead of you.  This can be a disaster and disappointment waiting to happen.   High expectations can lead to a long fall to the bottom if things don't go according to the dream.

           Be sure to consider those bad things that you might encounter on your marketing journey.  List every negative that you can possibly think of and then come up with a contingency plan to deal with those negatives..   If you have all of your possibilities of failure covered then you are more likely to succeed and more accepting of the failure if that turns out to be the outcome.

           A failure should not be the despairing end for you, but just another learning experience on the road to success.    You can take a risk, but it's best if that risk is a calculated risk.

           Have you ever failed at something because your dreams were bigger than the realities?   Do you let negatives discourage you from pursuing your dreams?    What do you think is the best recipe for success?


 



   

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What Works?...and what doesn't

What's Happening?
         
        Anyone who has been following my blog for some time is probably aware of my keen interest in the topics of marketing and promotion and how the two can be used effectively in blogging.  I'm not going to delve too deeply into my own thoughts on marketing as you can do a search of my blog under the terms "marketing" or "promotion" and come up with plenty of posts on those and related topics.  

        In fact my A to Z theme in 2012 was marketing and promotion and those posts would be a good place to find out some of my thoughts on the subject as well as get an idea of what the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge is about.   If you want to read the first installment of that series you'll find it here and then just continue on if you want more.

        The current blog event is about what you bloggers think and have to say about marketing, promotion, and related ideas.  There's no magic formula that I know of that makes for successful marketing.  Sometimes what works in one instance may fall flat in another.   Other times totally absurd ideas may work in a big way. Some ideas are fairly tried and true while others are just a shot in the dark.  Sometimes they work and and sometimes they don't.

       With What Works....and what doesn't we want to get some idea of what some of you may have actually tried or observed.   We hope to learn some of your philosophies, psychological insights, hard factual data, or your pipe dreams about marketing.   We want to try to figure out What Works...

Why What Works...?

     In November Yolanda Renée and I were having an email interchange about the guest post she did at my dream blog, A Faraway View.  We were examining stats and experimenting with different tactics to see what worked in drawing visitors to the site.  A Faraway View typically is a low activity blog, but our combined efforts brought considerably more viewers to her post than I usually get.   Though the numbers for that post are still low, through our combined marketing efforts the post garnered some of the highest views and most comments of any other post on that site.  Was it due to our marketing efforts?

          During the course of our exchange I came up with what I thought might be a good idea for a blog event.   The "blogfest" should have a wide range of interest among most of our followers since we all are promoting something whether we admit to it or not.   This would not be just a fun blogging exercise, but " a blogfest with information you can use."

        The premise would be for participants to tell about a marketing idea they've used that worked or one that didn't work.  Their post could describe a campaign that succeeded in a big or small way or one that failed drastically.  This wouldn't only be limited to authors but also apply to those who have gone into business,  observed in another business campaign, participated in an organizational event, helped their kids with a fundraiser, or anything where a bit of promotion was necessary.  In other words this is a blogfest anyone could participate in and everyone can learn from.  Posts can be informational, a personal experience account, or a funny marketing story.  Experience gained from a promotional effort in one area can have applications in other efforts.  

         The ultimate goal is to learn what others have done right that we all can use and what to avoid.  Hopefully we can get marketing stats like Yolanda and I were doing in our study and other hard data that might be compiled into specific or fairly decent conclusions.   We want to know What Works... and I'm sure many of you would find this type of information useful as well.

Also Brought to You By:

         Since I've had more than a few interchanges on the subject of marketing with my good friend Jeremy Hawkins, I contacted him to bring his knowledge to the table.  I know Jeremy is very interested in marketing since he has a number of ventures going.   His artistic expertise provided us with a super cool logo for the event.

        And of course no great blogging event would be complete without Alex J. Cavanaugh.   Alex has mastered the art of cross promotion, building his name, blog recognition, and brand by promoting others.  I owe a special thanks to Alex for being at the helm of this event while I was on vacation and during my subsequent illness.  That's why we call him "The Captain".

Be sure to check out all the blogs of the hosts.  And if for some reason the Linky List does not appear on my page you should be able to find it on theirs:

Arlee Bird - http://tossingitout.blogspot.com/

Yolanda Renee - http://yolandarenee.blogspot.com/

Jeremy Hawkins - http://www.beingretro.com/

Alex J. Cavanaugh - http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/

Now let's find out What Works...and what doesn't.  
Here's the list of participants!  

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Remember--if you don't see the Linky List here then check the other participating sites.  I've been having some computer problems.

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CheersFest Winners and WHAT WORKS...Online Marketing Symposium

And the CheersFest Winners Are:

        EVERYBODY!

       Oh--I guess that's not how it's supposed to work.  But everybody did have a winning entry and I'm a winner for having so many wonderful blog friends.  There were so many entertaining entries that it was tough to come up with just two.  So many approaches.  So much variety.  So much fun.  I had a great time with the CheersFest and I hope you all did as well.

       I'd like to start right off by thanking the co-hosts who not only submitted their own fantastic entries, but also went to great lengths in promoting the Fest.   Thank you  Mark Koopmans, Morgan Shamy, David Powers King, Stephen Tremp and The Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh.  Especially Mark who thought up this event which looks destined to become an annual blogger roast.

         I won't name any honorable mentions. There are many, but I need to keep this post short.  If you didn't see all the roast posts I encourage you to go to the list and check them out.  I agonized long over which ones to pick and kept narrowing it down to the final choices.  So without any more chatter from me, here are the winners:

        The winner of the Arlee Bird Showbiz History package is Carrie Anne Brownian at Welcome to My Magick Theatre.   Her free verse about me was creative and thought-provoking.  I appreciated the answers to the questions and the dry but accurate description of the photo.   And she picked an actual juggler to play me in a documentary--albeit an ugly one, but a truly great and funny one.

        The winner of the graphic design by Jeremy Hawkins is Sydney Aaliyah Michelle.   She had interesting answers and story.   Her photo caption encapsulated a jugglers dream--at least at a photo shoot.
And I assure you that my A to Z aversion treatment will be continuing in April of 2014.   Be watching for announcements.

          Winners please contact me at jacksonlee51 (at) aol (dot) com and I will make arrangements for your prizes to get to you.

          And please don't anyone have me be the sole judge to pick a contest winner again.   That was tough and I hated to leave anyone off.  Seriously I love you all and think you are all winners.

Now a Very Special Event Announcement!

Do you ever wonder why some books become bestsellers while others can barely be given away? Why some businesses succeed and others fail?   

How does a blog post or a YouTube video manage to go viral? What does it take to reach celebrity status? Why does a person who is less intelligent than you are become the teacher's favorite and make better grades with less work?

Is it a matter of luck or is there some magic formula for success? 

   

Would you like to know what works and what doesn't?

Well, now maybe we can latch on to some of the secrets and tricks that make success happen or what we might want to avoid. We want you to tell us your stories of success (or not so successful) as we present the blogging event that will help us learn.

                                            What Works...

The first ever "Online Marketing Symposium!"

A blogfest with information you can use.

The event happens on Monday January 20, 2014.

On event day you tell us about a marketing idea that you've used and what worked or didn't work. Your post could describe a campaign that succeeded in a big or small way or one that failed drastically. Tell us about a business campaign, an organizational event, a fundraiser – anything where a bit of promotion was necessary!

The What Works.. Marketing Symposium is not limited to authors but also to anyone in a business that has a promotional aspect – online or otherwise!

Posts can be informational, statistical, a personal experience account, or a funny marketing story. Experience gained from a promotional effort in one area can have applications in other efforts in which we are involved so anything goes as long as promotion or marketing methodology has been involved. 

The ultimate goal is to learn.

Remember – no book – no problem. Marketing and promotion principles apply to your blog, your business, any dream, or project, because we all want to win people over.

This information exchange is more than just a "blogfest"!

It's an online forum where ideas are shared and success for all is the goal.  

Does the thought of marketing and promotion scare you or turn you cold? Fear no more—let's learn together.

It's possible the blogging community can help you make that next project a viral success orthat next book a best seller!

Join our first ever Online Marketing Symposium

*****

     My co-hosts are  Jeremy Hawkins,  Alex J. Cavanaugh, and Yolanda Renee. 

Sign up for What Works...Online Marketing Symposium below:


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#IWSG: Fear of Marketing & Diane Wolfe Book Announcement

Help Has Arrived!

     One of the most common fears or insecurities cited by authors or authors-to-be is that of marketing and promoting ones book.  For that matter, promoting anything can leave one feeling a bit insecure at times. Am I talking to the right person?  Will my message get to the right person?  Does anyone really care?

        Marketing and promotions can be a real guessing game sometimes and you never know for sure what is going to work.  I've always been fascinated by promoting.  I've done a fair share of blog posts on the topic.  It's nice to get the scoop from someone who's been involved in the whole marketing and promotion process.

         Thank goodness for authors like L. Diane Wolfe who lead us by the hand to make that which might be very difficult to do on our own an easier road to travel

         If you've got a book ready for publication or if your earlier attempts at book release didn't turn out as well as you would have liked them to, never fear!   Help is on the way.

         No need to feel insecure about publishing and promoting your book.   L. Diane Wolfe has just what you may have been looking for.

HOW TO PUBLISH AND PROMOTE YOUR BOOK NOW!

By L. Diane Wolfe

Publishing and promoting made simple!

Have you always dreamed of publishing a book but didn’t know where to begin? This book walks you through the steps of identifying markets, budgeting, building an online presence, and generating publicity. Get the whole story on:

·         Traditional publishing

·         Self-publishing

·         Print and e-book setup, formatting, and distribution

·         Finding your target audience

·         Generating reviews and media interest

·         Networking and developing an online presence

·         Promotional materials and appearances

Uncover your ideal publishing path and numerous marketing options before you begin. Writing is your dream. Give it the best chance for success!

Available February 5, 2012

Publishing/Marketing, 214 pages, Dancing Lemur Press LLC

$14.95 Trade paperback ISBN 978-0-9827139-5-2

$4.99 Ebook ISBN 978-0-9827139-9-0

Barnes and Noble - 

Amazon - 

Amazon Kindle - 

“She gives an unbiased take on the advantages and disadvantages of traditional publishing and self-publishing and publishing paths that combine the two… It's the perfect book for those who want an overview to begin the decision-making process.”

- Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning series of how-to books for writers http://howtodoitfrugally.com/

“A must-read for writers planning on self-publishing or any writer who wants the ultimate how-to on promoting. Tons of links, advice, and how-to, whether you're going for print or e-publication.”

- Helen Ginger, author of Angel Sometimes http://helenginger.com/

L. Diane Wolfe's sites-

Blog - Spunk On A Stick’s Tips - http://circleoffriendsbooks.blogspot.com/

Website - Spunk On A Stick - http://www.spunkonastick.net/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/SpunkOnAStick

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/l.diane.wolfe

 Bio-

Known as “Spunk On A Stick,” Wolfe is a member of the National Speakers Association and a motivational speaker. She’s conducted seminars on book publishing and promoting for five years and assisted writers through several author services. Her other titles include “Overcoming Obstacles With SPUNK!” which ties her goal-setting and leadership seminar’s information together, and a YA series, “The Circle of Friends.” Wolfe travels extensively for media interviews and speaking engagements, maintains a dozen websites & blogs, and contributes to several other sites and newsletters.