Sex and the Gods of Internet Marketing

Sex and the Gods of Internet Marketing

by: Linda Cox

Sex and the Gods of Internet Marketing

By Linda Cox J.A.M.G. (Just Another Marketing Guru)

Whenever I mention my occupation to a nonwired person, it seems to generate the same response:
"Isn’t there an awful lot of porn on the net?"
The question floats toward me like a smoke ring and forms a halo around my face, framing me as a pornographer, nymphomaniac, and allround corrupter of innocence.
I expect that from my mother, but itกs not the public image I strive to cultivate. I never have a good response ready.
"Hmmm," I nod coquettishly, "Iกll have to look into that."
The subtext of my vapid reply could be "Yes, the internet is a modernday Gomorrah and Iกm in it up to my quivering loins," or, "I really haven’t heard that, but Iกm so pathetically hardup that Iกm gonna race right home and look."
Neither is what I mean to convey, but the truth is probably just as perverse…
Iกve never really looked into sex on the net.
I always plan to, but I never do. I think Iกve always been very nervous about what I might find. Who knows? Maybe I myself would become corrupted lured into the nether regions of psychosexual depravity and cybersensual abandon… never, perhaps, to return.
(I shudder at the thought… several times.)
Well, that sort of cloistered naiveté is fine when you’re just peddling software and minding your own business, but now that Iกm prancing around like an emarketing guru, I no longer have the luxury of ignoring so large and infamous a part of our venue.
THE DARING SEXPLORATIONS OF LINDA COX!
I have shifted into my Lara Croft/Wonder Woman Intrepid Female Explorer persona and I am now going to begin my Conradian trek into the internetกs dark interior.
Wish me luck. Here goes…
Okay, Iกm back. Thanks for waiting. Iกm prepared to report now.
Yep, it seems that there IS some sexual content on the internet. (Drink, please.) Rather a lot, in fact. (Make it a double.) Funny I never noticed before. (Is it warm in here?) Actually, itกs amazing thereกs room for anything else. (WHEREกS THAT FREAKINก DRINK!?)
Hereกs what I learned…

I can never don my Lara Croft/Wonder Woman alterego again now that Iกve seen them locked together in alt.sex.binaries.lesbian.actionheroes in a bout of noholesbarred lovemaking.
Acts I consider sexually extreme and taboo, many people consider warmup.
I will never use a public restroom or changing room again. I will never wear a skirt in public again. I will never look at many salad ingredients the same way again.
Certain professions should strictly enforce a much earlier mandatory retirement age.
Everything is a sex toy to someone… EVERYthing.
I found Howard Spragueกs private diary online. Goober and Floyd I always suspected, but Otis, Barney, how could you?
Bondage is a cottage industry. Iกm not sure what BDSM is, but it looks pretty damn uncomfortable.
I accidentally learned how Vinnie, my pizza delivery kid, made ends meet before landing his present gig.
Some things are better left unshaven.
Shemales are the damnedest thing since Mike the Headless Chicken.

THE GODS OF INTERNET MARKETING
Adult website marketers are the most inyourface, takenoprisoners, knockdown dragout rock กn roll marketers on earth. If I could sell software the way they sell sex, Iกd be living on my own island.
IN PRAISE OF CENSORSHIP
Frankly, I very much oppose adult content on the internet. I think it should be legislated out of existence. Hereกs why:
Sex is the fire in the belly of civilization. If we allow it to become so commonplace that everyone gives up the hot and frenzied pursuit of it, then humanity will just go sit on the couch and watch pro wrestling. And then where will we be?
Sitting on the couch watching pro wrestling, thatกs where!

About The Author

Linda Cox (J.A.M.G.) was born in a speeding stagecoach amid the screams of fellow passengers as insane, wildeyed horses dragged them all crashing toward the brink of destruction. That stagecoach was the planet Earth, those passengers were the human race, and Linda Cox is Just Another Marketing Guru. (The horses were just regular horses.) http://www.LindaCox.com/

This article was posted on February 4, 2002

by Linda Cox

Donald Trump’s Marketing Secrets Revealed!

Donald Trump’s Marketing Secrets Revealed!

by: Dan Lok

Itกs official!

Now in itกs third season, Donald Trumpกs killer television series ‘the Apprenticeก is officially a กfranchise.ก

With new seasons in the making, a clothing line that carries ‘the Apprenticeก brand, DVDกs in production, and megafortunes to be made, itกs no surprise that the king of real estate… a man who knows a good thing when he sees it… is involved.

I like Donald Trump a lot.

Mostly because I learn something new from him every time I watch him in action.

One of the barbs critics aim at Donald Trump is that heกs a shameless egomaniac who can’t get enough of the spotlight.

Well, they may call it egomania, but from my perspective… itกs a brilliant business strategy.

Iกll admit it: Iกm a marketer.

My job is to make people sit up and take notice of my clients (and their products or services), and to deliver a กbrandก message at every opportunity.

Thatกs exactly what ‘the Donaldก does.

If that makes me him an egocentric, selfcongratulatory target for media pundits, who cares? Because it also makes him a กhousehold nameก…in households from Bangor, Maine to Bangkok Thailand.

Brand recognition is the foundation of every marketing strategy.

If you’re a small business owner, YOU are your brand.

That means you must sell yourself as well as your product or service.

Trump understands the concept, and whatกs why you see his brand Trump on everything.

Youกve got to be willing to get name out there… Willing to say, กHey look me!ก… Ready to stand up for yourself, believe in yourself, and blow your own horn…

Loudly and as often as possible.

Have you noticed that each episode of ‘the Apprenticeก includes a segment devoted to a current Trump project?

This as an opportunity for ‘the Donaldก to billboard a success story.

Week after week, he tells millions of people, กIกm a great real estate giant and hereกs the proof.ก Take a tip from ‘the Donaldก…

Youกve got to be your own fulltime marketing campaign 24 hours a day… because nobody else will!

Especially if you’re an entrepreneur.

When you’re the own of a business, especially a new business, itกs kind of like being a parent.

Before your business can ‘talkก… before your กlittle oneก has grown and established a reputation that literally กspeaks for itselfก… you need to be the กspokesperson.ก

How long will this last?

You may not want to hear this, but the answer is forever. You must always be ready to carry the banner for your business and your success.

So, before you give Donald Trump ‘two thumbs doneก for shameless selfpromotion, consider how his ego… and his knack for savvy marketing… is a real asset to his business empire.

If itกs good enough for ‘the Donald,ก itกs good enough for me… and YOU, too.

The next time you sit down for the next episode of the กBook Smarts vs. Street Smartsก season of ‘the Apprentice,ก open your mind.

Instead of picking at the negative traits of ‘the Donaldก or his ‘top gunsก Carolyn and George, think about their success and ask yourself…

What can I learn from this guy? How does he marketing himself? How can I adapt this concept to me and my business?

The truth is, if you can’t get at least a handful of กgolden nuggetsก from this supersuccessful entrepreneur, you may be hopeless.

What Iกd like to do is share some of the key marketing insights Iกve learned from Donald Trump and ‘the Apprenticeก that you, too, can use in your business.

Before we get to the marketing insights, however, thereกs a bigger business concept that you need to understand.

Iกll give it to you the way I like best… straight… กLoked and loadedก to blow your mind:

You have something to learn from people of any age, any background, any education, and any level of success.

The candidate on ‘the Apprenticeก can’t hold a handle to Donald Trumpกs success. Yet each week, they pull rabbits out of hats, rising (more or less) to meet the challenges presented to them.

Every new task makes them better in business as they evolve, refine strategies, and respond to what they’re learning. Thereกs no better formula for success than the flexibility and resilience they demonstrate.

So don’t just focus on ‘the Donaldก for your weekly dose of marketing magic.

Keep an eye on the candidates, too! You never know whoกs got something to teach you.

Apprentice Marketing Lesson #1 Too Much Is Never Enough

Actually, ‘too much is never enoughก was a successful slogan from the early days of MTV, but it could just as easily be the กposter childก for marketing. You can never connect with consumers too frequently.

Thereกs a marketing truism out there: To sell a prospect, youกll need to make repeated contact. Thatกs why most direct mail campaigns use a minimum of three messages, why magazines put as many as five subscription forms in each issue, and why ‘the Donaldก says the word ‘trumpก as many times as he can in every episode of ‘the Apprentice.ก

Does it make a difference? Can it make ‘the Donaldก even more successful?

Definitely.

In the 21st Century, every consumer is bombarded with advertising messages…up to 3,000 a day for some people.

After a while, they just tune out. Or, if they don’t tuneout, consumers are often so distracted that they don’t really hear or see a marketing message.

Itกs more effective to send three mailers to 1,000 prospects than one mailer to 3,000though the cost is the same. Another approach is a ‘timedก or กsequencedก campaign.

In this kind of campaign, message #1 is a teaser. #2 is the กgutsก and a gift offer. #3 gives ordering instructions. The sequenced approach allows you to generate both expectations and recognition.

Prospects look forward to hearing from you.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that you need to keep hammering away at the eyes and ears of potential prospects. But the main reason for this many not be as obvious as you think…

By repeating your marketing message over and over, you กimbedก that message in the consumerกs mind. Then, when the consumer needs what you have to offer, theyกll think of you first… even if aren’t actively marketing to them in the moment.

The goal is to make yourself the automatic goto solution for a problem whenever that problem occurs. The consumerกs subconscious will do the driving.

Apprentice Marketing Lesson #2 Sex Sells, But Too Much Sex Repels

The candidates chosen for ‘the Apprenticeก are uniformly attractive, articulate, and the kind of people that most other people enjoy looking at.

The producers of the show including Mark Burnett who produces that other megahit กSurvivorก know that sex sells on television.

Sex sells in marketing, too.

During the second season of ‘the Apprenticeก when ‘the Donaldก pitted the men against the women, tasks were routinely won thanks to sex appeal… womenกs AND menกs.

(You may recall that the menกs team used one of their attractive members to flirt with and win over a table of gay diners during a restaurant challenge.)

But if you weren’t watching closely, you might have missed the episode where sex didn’t sell big time… and THAT is the point of this minilesson.

In one of the last episodes of the second season, candidates were challenged to sell candy.

On one team, two blonde women donned matching red leotards and flashed their smiles only at male prospects.

Sales were brisk because, as we all know, sex sells… and for most men thereกs nothing sexier than a leggy blonde.

The other team was struggling, so with just minutes to spare before the end of a task, one team member offered to drop her skirt as a way to convince male passersby to buy her candy.

They bought… in droves.

They weren’t buying candy, of course, they were buying sex… just like the guy who finds a car suddenly irresistible because of the leggy swimsuit model thatกs advertising it at the Auto Show… and just like the guys who bought from the blonde ‘twinsก on the other team.

The problem with the กbuy my candy and you can see my bunsก approach is that it was over the top.

As ‘the Donaldก pointed out in the boardroom, the candidate wasn’t selling candy… she was selling sex literally, with a candy bar bonus.

That, my friends, is why so many marketers are referred to as prostitutes… and why the candidate who dropped her skirt was dropped from the show at the end of the task.

As ‘the Donaldก put it so eloquently: You’re fired!

The skirtdropping candidate was fired despite the fact that she had fulfilled her mission to make money. Why? By overselling sexuality, she left a negative overall impression.

Sex is powerful stuff…use it wisely and sparingly.

Apprentice Marketing Secret #3: CrossPromotion

Iกve talked about this concept until I am blue in the face, but I still meet prospective clients who stubbornly say, กMy product is such a winner that I don’t need to partner with other businesses and give away any of my profits.ก

Thatกs insane!

Or more delicately กNo man is an islandก…and no business is either. Thereกs not a company on earth that can survive without a constant stream of qualified prospects coming through the door.

So it doesn’t matter what industry you’re in or what product/service you make available, whoever you are…

Tying your product to another popular product, service, business, or person is always a winning marketing strategy.

‘the Apprenticeก has featured crosspromotions with Burger King, Pepsi, the Planet Hollywood restaurant chain, and other wellknow, extremely successful businesses.

If these supercorporations benefit from crosspromotions, doesn’t it seem logical that your business can, too?

The biggest trend in highend marketing today is film and TV cross promotions. Ever since E.T. gave Reeseกs Pieces a huge boost, marketers have aggressively tried to get their products กplacedก in films and television shows.

Having a good product or service is NOT enough… although itกs certainly กJob 1.ก Quality and value bring your customers back for more. But how the heck do they do how wonderful your stuff is if they haven’t even bought from you yet?

In order to make a sale, you need someone you can sell to. To achieve that you need effective marketing systems to get these people in your funnel in the first place.

Crosspromotion is the key.

Customers who are already กsoldก on the business your partnering with become, essentially, presold on you.

And crosspromotion allows you to expand your marketing reach without spending any additional marketing dollars.

Can you imagine how much Burger King would have to pay for a 15second spot during ‘the Apprentice.ก

By appearing within the show in a carefully negotiated crosspromotion, Burger King gets all the gain (aka the audience) with none of the pain (advertising expenses)

What did ‘the Donaldก get out of all of this? In addition to finding a company willing to let his apprentices take over their business for the day, consumers will now ‘think Trumpก when they purchase one of the burgers promoted on the show.

Clever, huh?

You’re Fired… FiredUp, That Is

Iกve กdistilledก the essence of just three of the effective marketing concepts that Donald Trump has accidentally shared on ‘the Apprentice.ก They’re the same strategies he uses in his own business, but heกs let the cat out of the bag and now his secrets are YOUR secrets

If you’re inspired by what youกve read here and would like to go deep into Trumpกs mind, ‘the Donaldก has written several powerful books filled with stories, anecdotes, secrets, and amazingly effective techniques for making it to the top… and staying there through thick and thin.

*Trump: How to Get Rich

*Trump: The Way to the Top

*Trump: Surviving at the Top

*Trump: The Art of the Deal

*Trump: The Art of Survival

Did you notice that each book leads with the word ‘trumpก? He never misses an opportunity to promote his brand.

I told you ‘the Donaldก was a master marketer!

And consider this: if you can beg, borrow, or steal just one or two ideas from a man whoกs sitting on a billiondollar empire… ideas that could jumpstart your business empire… wouldn’t it be worth 20 bucks? (Less if you get a secondhand copy on Ebay).

This is your chance to be ‘the Apprenticeก of Donald Trump… to learn from the master… without worrying about getting fired on national television.

About The Author

Dan Lok is known as the กWebsite Conversion Expertก, with a proven track record of selling over $17.3 million dollars of merchandise and services. Dan has resuscitated copy that was previously in กcritical conditionก and helped his clients to double and triple their conversion rates… some as much as 417%!!! More than 150 websites have been กLokedก and loaded for Internet action. Go to: http://www.WebsiteConversionExpert.com

This article was posted on February 21, 2005

by Dan Lok