I’m really pleased to share what I think is our most practical Video Mojo episode ever! Michael Kass and I did a quick 17-minute overview of the Technology Tools necessary for producing your own social video posts, whether via Zoom, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, or whatever.
This is the second in a series Video Mojo episodes on how to create a Vibrant Video Presence. Each of these 3 special episodes is a collaborative conversation with special guest, master of storytelling, coach, & consultant, Michael Kass. I highly recommend this video clip for anyone who may feel challenged by video technologies (and who isn’t?) You could think of it as a welcoming “video helping hand.” 🙂 Click the video below to watch & learn now.
About Video Mojo
Video Mojo is a video blog and podcast hosted by award-winning media innovator, Jon Leland of https://www.combridges.com. It combines timeless marketing principles with a playful exploration of the “bleeding edge” of digital video & social media.
Resource Links:
Previous “3 Pillars of a Vibrant Video Presence” episode #1, Humanity, or how to be more engaging through being more yourself. Don’t miss these actionable insights, plus very special guest appearance examples from Lynne Twist and Andrea J. Lee: https://www.combridges.com/build-a-vibrant-video-presence-pillar-one/
https://www.combridges.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Pillar-2_-TECHNOLOGY-640-x-300.png300640JonLelandhttps://www.combridges.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/ComBridges-Logo-300x60-300x60.jpgJonLeland2020-09-17 16:28:412020-09-17 16:28:44The Tech Tools of a Vibrant Video Presence, Pillar #2 – Collaborative Conversation with Michael Kass
Social media often gets a bad rap, and it often deserves it.
On the other hand, social media may well be the biggest, most fun playground ever. 🙂
And, I’m not just talking about frivolous fun. I’m talking about an AWESOME playground with creative superpowers and unprecedented opportunities to develop meaningful connections.
Amongst social media’s creative superpowers, my favorite (as you may well know) is video. Social media is constantly reinventing video in a morphing media form that most currently spans a spectrum from TikTok and IGTV (and, yes, Reels) to Facebook Live, YouTube, Zoom, and Loom, just to name a few.
Has there ever been a video playground so abundant with creative opportunities to experiment and try new things? And, when you try new things, there’s no telling what will happen. That’s what I’m talkin’ ‘bout!
One of those things that might happen, perhaps serendipitously, is that you might make some meaningful connections with like minds who resonate with your creations.
It’s in making these kinds of authentic connections that you can, if you are willing to play and experiment, make social media meaningful. And, I hope you know that I’m not talking about my thousands of Facebook “friends.”
I’m talking about authentic long-term relationships that are sustained through an Engaging Social Media Presence (my new acronym is ESMP). Because nothing meaningful is ever built with a single click, these kinds of social media connections require nurturing through the values that I champion, specifically, consistency and authenticity, as well as (and I know I’m getting a bit circular here) playfulness and video.
So, when someone makes you aware of how truly evil Facebook (and others) can be, please don’t forget that there’s a flip side that is also true.
When you use social media with a spirit of playfulness and experimentation it leads to expanded creativity and connections.
And, oh yeah, this quote (that’s on the social media graphic that’s attached to this post) came out of my recent webinar, “Beyond the Hype: Social Media Marketing That Really Works!”
https://www.combridges.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/When-you-use-social-media-with-a-spirit-of-playfulness-and-experimentation-it-leads-to-expanded-creativity-and-connection..png300640JonLelandhttps://www.combridges.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/ComBridges-Logo-300x60-300x60.jpgJonLeland2020-08-25 18:36:592020-08-25 20:42:57[Rant] How Social Media Playfulness Leads to Meaningful Connections
I like to think of creativity as play. There’s always an element of experimentation, trial and error, messiness, risk taking, and ultimately, if you’re lucky, celebration. We love it when it works, and there’s also a satisfaction that comes from just being “in the arena,” putting yourself out there. I feel blessed when I get to play creatively, in any way I can.
Outcomes are a whole other subject. “The Journey is (truly) the reward.” It’s only an adventure when you can’t predict exactly what is going to happen. There’s no “game” if you’re guaranteed to win every time you play. Taking risks and being willing to fall on your face, more than once, is simply part of the process.
The last time I was in Hawaii, I bought a refrigerator magnet that says, “Small waves never made a skilled surfer.” Simply put, wipeouts are part of the process of honing your creative skills. Every “mistake” is a stepping stone in the process of self-improvement.
So, please, go get messy. Don’t be afraid of a few wipe outs. I can’t wait to see what you will create. The best things are yet to come. And, they only happen when we are willing to get messy.
Thanks for reading,
https://www.combridges.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Email-Messy-JL-quote.png300640JonLelandhttps://www.combridges.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/ComBridges-Logo-300x60-300x60.jpgJonLeland2020-08-04 18:29:242020-08-04 18:29:26Can Creativity Really Happen Without Getting Messy? I Think Not.
With this blog post, I’m happy to share with you, with my compliments, the full recording (30 minutes) of my recent social media marketing webinar.
In this video recording, I explain the marketing principles that we use at ComBridges every day in order to help our clients build authentic engagement and meaningful, long-term business relationships.
As a digital marketing strategist, I used this webinar to share four core principles that I know make all the difference if you want to do social media marketing that really works.
This presentation also includes highly-visual charts and diagrams that will help you better understand the ComBridges “Digital Engagement Process” and how to use it for your own social media campaigns.
I’d love to hear from you and what you like and what might be improved.
And, if you are so inclined, your feedback, suggestions, likes, and reviews on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or wherever, are HUGELY valuable:
https://www.combridges.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Copy-of-Reshare-webinar-cover-800px-x-600px.png300640JonLelandhttps://www.combridges.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/ComBridges-Logo-300x60-300x60.jpgJonLeland2020-07-28 18:14:142020-07-28 18:16:12Free Social Media Marketing Webinar Recording: Beyond the Hype. What Really Works
I’m totally psyched to share a new kind of Video Mojo episode!
Although it’s rarely discussed, “video presence” is a very real thing and worth cultivating. This collaborative conversation with the amazing Michael Kass not only models of what video presence means, but it also includes wonderful “special guest appearances” from the inspirational author and speaker, Lynne Twist, and master coach and author, Andrea J. Lee.
Click the video above to watch this Video Mojo episode.
If you aspire to make the most of online video including posting videos to social media networks like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, this episode may be especially important to you.
About Video Mojo Video Mojo is a video blog and podcast hosted by award-winning media innovator, Jon Leland. It combines timeless marketing principles with a playful exploration of the “bleeding edge” of digital video & social media.
Resource Links from this episode:
Previous Video Conversations between Michael Kass & Jon Leland:
https://www.combridges.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Pillar-1_-Humanity-640-x-300.png300640JonLelandhttps://www.combridges.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/ComBridges-Logo-300x60-300x60.jpgJonLeland2020-06-02 02:22:202020-08-06 02:23:44How Your Humanity Can Build a Vibrant Video Presence: Vlog Series with Michael Kass
Forget “shiny objects” and “silver bullet” formulas. Please. There’s a better way. A much better way. And, in the age of coronavirus, it’s time to boil things down to the essentials, don’t you think?
Relationship-based marketing makes your business sustainable for the long haul, allows you to be of service in a way that’s meaningful to you, and creates a process that you can enjoy every step of the way.
In the episode of Video Mojo above, I do my best to will help you avoid the worst mistake in digital marketing (spoiler alert: it’s making your marketing all about the money) while illuminating the path to more satisfying forms of success.
About Video Mojo Video Mojo is a video blog and podcast hosted by award-winning media innovator, Jon Leland of https://www.combridges.com. It combines timeless marketing principles with a playful exploration of the “bleeding edge” of digital video & social media.
3 Ways to Avoid the WORST MISTAKE in Digital Marketing: Formulaic vs Relationship-Based Marketing
Hi there and welcome to another edition of Video Mojo. My name is Jon Leland from ComBridges.com. Video Mojo is a podcast and a vlog that connects timeless marketing principles with a playful exploration of video marketing and social media marketing.
Today we’re going to explore 3 principles to help you avoid the worst mistake in digital Marketing. In other words, why formulaic marketing hurts your brand and how relationship based marketing builds success.
This is a subject that is very near and dear to my heart. It is something that bugs me in the marketplace where, I think, we all, in this day and age, have much more sensitive “bullshit meters” than ever before. We recognize hype, we recognize when people are trying to manipulate us, and now with coronavirus and kind of a reinvention of our entire society (at least I hope in some ways), more and more people are trying to focus on what is essential and important in life. This contrast between what I call relationship-based marketing and manipulative or formulaic marketing is really at the heart of the matter.
I think that the worst mistake that you can make in digital marketing is to make it all about the money. Formulaic marketing taps into this kind of myth that I think a lot of people have, that there can be a silver bullet. That if you just follow this formula A-B-C-, it’s a guaranteed six to seven figures. We all know it’s a myth. It’s just a false promise and people are playing on the entrepreneurial spirit that’s out there, genuine authentic longing to be of service. And they are capitalizing and going – well these are the tips and tricks -. I think we all have a propensity to look for shiny objects, quick fixes, and that kind of thing. But you know, stay away. I think that is the worst mistake not only to buy into that but also to think that that’s a recipe for success.
To be clear, I’m not saying that techniques and strategies such as sales funnels or email sequences are bad per se. There are a lot of very solid techniques but there’s a fuel that powers them. And that’s the things that I’m most passionate about and why I’m involved in online marketing. So I want to offer you 3 key principles that I think really make marketing work in the face of all this bull.
1- Make Authentic Human Connections
So #1 is the fact that we need to make authentic human connections. That’s why this is Video Mojo and why I’m such a big proponent of online video. We need to make human connections. Those human connections need to be fueled by value.
2 – Human Connections are Fueled By Value
I am reading a book right now by Robin Sharma called The 5 am Club. And he talks throughout the book about this goal which is to serve as many people as possible. And I think that’s something that, if not all of us, most of us want to do is have our work, serve as many people as possible.
That is the second principle is if it’s heart oriented, if you’re really coming from service people get that and that builds on the human connection and allows you to really make a difference.
3 – Marketing is a Long-Term Process
The third principle is that you really have to look at marketing as a long-term process. I heard the famous quote recently that you shouldn’t confuse the map with the territory. The map, or the design, or the strategy is really one thing but the territory is the landscape and in marketing, it’s the environment that we’re working within. If you’re going to build authentic long-term relationships, which I do think is a very real definition of success, authentic long-term relationships, it’s a process. No relationship is built in one day or in one event. Basic marketing principle being multiple touches and basics of relationship-building is contribute, contribute, contribute, and always be adding value.
I love the expression “Lead With Value”. You offer your service, you offer value. The people that I know and admire that have been really successful in online marketing have generated tons of free content. And this is my modest effort, Video Mojo. No charge, no sales pitch. I’m out here trying to make a difference, trying to help people do better heart-based, relationship-based marketing, rather than the kind of formulaic stuff that is so prevalent and so hyped.
I think the bottom line is, how do you define success? There are many definitions of success but I can tell you that if you make it all about the money that is very short-sighted and not sustainable. People can smell when what you’re doing is really “I just want sales, I’m just after your money”. On the other hand, if you’re coming from being of service, people can taste that and they can get a real sense that you’re here not for the money necessarily. Although, I believe the money follows and this is what fuels a long-term business that’s sustainable. They get the sense that that’s why you’re here, you’re around and you’re consistent. That’s one of the big things I’ve talked about here over and over again, consistent content and consistent presence. That’s the kind of thing that builds what I think is a definition of success which is sustainable long-term relationships.
Business is about relationships. When you’re present and leading with value then I think that you have kind of marketing that can work and that will feed you all along the way so that you can become part of a learning process and evolve and develop relationships over time. It’s a long game but that’s a game worth playing and a game that you can enjoy every step of the way.
That’s this episode of VIdeo Mojo. If you’re looking for more episodes, there’s a youtube channel or also on my website ComBridges.com/blog. On the blog is where you can find all the episodes including transcripts. I look forward to your feedback as always I’m very grateful for your time and attention and we’ll see you next time.
https://www.combridges.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Worst-Mistakes-in-Digital-Markeing_-640-x-300.png300640JonLelandhttps://www.combridges.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/ComBridges-Logo-300x60-300x60.jpgJonLeland2020-05-07 15:10:512020-05-07 15:10:533 Ways to Avoid the WORST MISTAKE in Digital Marketing: Formulaic vs Relationship-Based Marketing
In the age of coronavirus, Zoom Meetings have become an essential way for groups to connect; but making these virtual gatherings powerful and productive is not so easy. Many people are still learning what it takes to be present without causing distractions. In other words, for groups larger than a half dozen, technical facilitation is required. In fact, having a dedicated technical support person to guide everyone in how to participate without detracting from the group’s energy can make a huge difference. Please watch the video below to learn more.
About Video Mojo Video Mojo is a video blog and podcast hosted by award-winning media innovator, Jon Leland of ComBridges. It combines timeless marketing principles with a playful exploration of the “bleeding edge” of digital video & social media.
I’d love to hear what works for you and if you find this program useful. If you’ve got questions, feedback or suggestions, please comment below, or let’s connect (and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or wherever):
Zoom Meetings: Learn the #1 Thing That Can Make Your Virtual Gatherings More Powerful & Productive
Hi and welcome to Video Mojo.
My name is Jon Leland and Video Mojo is a combination of timeless marketing principles and a playful exploration of the bleeding edge of social media and digital video.
Today we’re talking about digital video and the number one thing that you can do to make your Zoom meetings more powerful and productive.
You know, as I’ve been talking about digital video literally for decades. One of the original concepts that came to me was something I call the media proverb which is, “It’s always more complicated than you think it is.”
Just because everybody is doing Zoom meetings now doesn’t mean that we’re doing them right. In fact, we’re seeing so many issues that even Saturday Night Live chose to make fun of all the ways that people do Zoom meetings wrong.
In this world that we have now where connecting via video has become so much more important, I think it’s really valuable to be conscious about the way we create a container for communities and get-togethers. To be clear, I’m not talking about two or three or even four or five people having a social gathering on Zoom. I’m talking about meetings where there can be 30 to 50 people and more.
What’s clear is that we’re moving into a new world. So these kinds of online meetings and virtual connections, particularly the bigger ones where you’re talking about dozens or even hundreds of people, become more and more important. We want to create the container in a safe way, we want to create it in a conscious way, and we don’t want all of these distractions.
So the thing that I think is missing actually harks back to all the conversations about digital video, just because one person can run a whole meeting doesn’t mean that they should. I’ve been facilitating webinars for a client and we have two people managing the technology backend, making sure that things run in a smooth and professional way. In smaller meetings, such as meetings I have recently attended with 30 to 50 people, just having one person dedicated to managing the technology and giving people guidance and support makes a huge difference. If you don’t have that then you will have all these rough edges and distractions. People don’t understand that they really have to take responsibility for their audio and mute and unmute appropriately. I think having a technological project manager is the number one thing that we should to have to in order to have foundation and support in your large scale Zoom meetings. And when we conduct Zoom meetings in a professional way then they become a more solid, more productive container, and as a result generates a more powerful community..
I really want to encourage anyone that’s doing anything more than just a casual or small meeting with less than a half a dozen people, make sure that you have someone holding the space technologically, giving people coaching, providing real-time tech support, so that everybody can be on the same page and understand kind of the technological etiquette of making sure you muted or unmute and knowing where those controls are. Knowing how the chat works so that if you want to chat to the whole group, you chat to the whole group. If you want to chat to an individual, you do it that way. Little things like that make a difference and help us build a stronger community through more productive and powerful Zoom meetings.
Please let me know what else you want to know about Zoom, about digital video and online. I’m here to help and thank you again as always for your kind attention. I look forward to seeing you next time.
https://www.combridges.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Zoom-Meetings_-640-x-300.png300640JonLelandhttps://www.combridges.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/ComBridges-Logo-300x60-300x60.jpgJonLeland2020-04-24 18:17:582020-04-24 18:20:52Zoom Meetings: Learn the #1 Thing That Can Make Your Virtual Gatherings More Powerful & Productive
Coronavirus has truly changed everything. We are all in this together.
As online video software provider, Loom said, “Inaction Felt Wrong.” Or, as Chris Cuomo said recently on CNN, “sitting on the sidelines is not an option.”
In this episode of Video Mojo, I shine a spotlight on three online software companies who are examples of companies who are doing what they can (based on their company’s culture and values), especially in support of educators who are teaching online, using video, for the first time.
About Video Mojo
Video Mojo is a weekly video blog and podcast hosted by award-winning media innovator, Jon Leland. It combines timeless marketing principles with a playful exploration on the “bleeding edge” of digital video & social media.
I’d love to hear what works for you and if you find this program useful. If you’ve got questions, feedback or suggestions, please comment below, or let’s connect (and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or wherever):
VIDEO AID IN THE TIME OF CORONAVIRUS – How Software Providers Are Helping Us Connect & Communicate
Hi there and welcome to Video Mojo!
My name is Jon Leland and this is a video blog and podcast where we combine timeless marketing principles with the bleeding edge of video communications, social media, and digital marketing. So we’re living in strange and interesting times. But it is an area where video can make a difference and help to connect us all, as I’ve been talking about week after week; human connections through video. This is an episode about how video software providers and an email software provider are really providing support for people to be able to take advantage of the fact that we’re staying at home and working at home. Many people are really cutting down on all kinds of travel and person-to-person interactions, so we want to make more of these human interactions. And when we make human interactions, it really becomes a matter of empathy, caring and wanting to make a difference. That’s why there’s this beautiful theme here between video connection and people making a difference in making offers.
Today, I want to shine the spotlight on three different software providers that are doing offers to help support people in this time of need.
Loom
The first one is Loom. I have actually become a fan of theirs even more since the video that I did in February where I talked about 4 video tools to help improve video fluency and connection. The folks at Loom have dramatically illustrated how this changed, because of the coronavirus and people working from home, is impacting the amount of video that we’re all using. They posted these charts both from China and from Italy showing how increased use there is where people are being most negatively impacted by the coronavirus.
The first thing that I want to say about Loom is I really love their culture and the fact that they felt in the presentation video on the page where they announced their response to the coronavirus they said “inaction felt wrong.” I really salute that spirit, and I feel the same way. I really think we need to be there more than ever for each other even though we can’t be there in person.
The other thing I want to say about Loom is that when I did a video in February about four tools I talked about Loom and I found that I have become even more of a fan of their platform since then. One key advantage is that when I record Loom videos they’re instantly available on the web. Some of the other platforms require you to upload the video within the application. For example, on Snagit, I have to wait for it to upload. It’s great the way it gets shared quickly, but with Loom it’s instantaneous.
In terms of the coronavirus, they’ve extended the terms of the already free version of Loom. It used to be that there was a limit of 25 videos when you had the free platform, it’s now unlimited through July 1st. And for everyone they’ve made the platform half cost. It was $10 a month for their pro platform, it’s now $5 a month. I recommend checking out Loom in any case because the free platform is quite powerful. And the most important part of their offer is for educators. Anyone in an educational institution a teacher, an administrator, or whatever they can get the Loom platform at the pro level for free forever. Not just the July 1st temporary offer.
Bomb Bomb
The second platform that I want to talk about in terms of a response to doing more video with the coronavirus is Bomb Bomb. They talked about rehumanizing your communications. I think if you’re a teacher and now need to teach online, part of that process is going to be the interactions that you might have done in office. Things that you will do now by email. Bomb Bomb is a very sophisticated application for doing video in email, particularly with Gmail. Normally it’s relatively expensive, starting around $30 a month per user. But for educators, it’s now free and they did not put a time limit on it. So if you think that you would benefit as a teacher delivering your communications as close to face-to-face that you can get. Really making eye contact with your students and doing that by email, this offer from Bomb Bomb is worth checking out.
Now I will put one caveat. I experimented with Bomb Bomb and in addition to the cost, there is a learning curve. It is an application. You could manage an entire class’s email list within the Bomb Bomb application and follow up with each student and have all of that readily available. So that’s something that I think educators might want to check out.
Convertkit
The third thing that I wanted to talk about is Convertkit. Convertkit is an email platform like MailChimp. Though, there are a lot of things that I like about it better. One of the things is their culture and that they specifically designed their platform and market to creators. What Nathan Barry, the CEO, has done is to create a “Creator Fund” and has funded it with $50,000. They’ve already gotten close to $150,000 as of a couple days ago and I’m sure it’s going to go beyond that. They are getting tons of applications but as we all know a lot of people are taking some very serious financial hits because of what’s going on with the coronavirus. So they’re creating a fund for creators who need help with their rent, health expenses, groceries, and those kinds of things.
People do really care. I really applaud these software companies that are doing something about the situation that we’re in. More and more I think we’re going to be learning to be video savvy and connecting via these kinds of video communications.
I look forward to your feedback. Thanks for any input that you can provide, for sharing, for subscribing, and all that good kind of support. I look forward to seeing you next week!
https://www.combridges.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/VIDEO-AID-IN-THE-TIME-OF-CORONAVIRUS_-640-x-300.png300640JonLelandhttps://www.combridges.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/ComBridges-Logo-300x60-300x60.jpgJonLeland2020-04-03 18:03:512020-04-07 16:42:10VIDEO AID IN THE TIME OF CORONAVIRUS – How Software Providers Are Helping Us Connect & Communicate
Now, more than ever, it’s essential to do what works. Why would you want to do anything else!?
This episode of Video Mojo explains why email works so well in today’s digital marketing mix. This video will also help you avoid a couple of fundamental yet common mistakes:
Don’t be distracted by formulaic solutions like ‘best practices” or “quick tips” that some huckster says is a “silver bullet.”
Don’t be fooled by “shiny objects” like the latest and greatest social media networks (or Facebook Ads) with the result that you overlook the power of email to deliver the kind of consistent value that truly connects you with the people (real human beings) that are most important to you.
If making meaningful and authentic connections that lead to sustainable, long-term relationships matters to you, then please check out this episode and let me know what you think. Thanks!
About Video Mojo
Video Mojo is a weekly video blog and podcast hosted by award-winning media innovator, Jon Leland. It combines timeless marketing principles with a playful exploration on the “bleeding edge” of digital video & social media.
Resource Links mentioned in this episode:
Jay Acunzo of Marketing Showrunners (who will be interviewed in an upcoming Video Mojo episode): http://jayacunzo.com/
I’d love to hear if you find this vlog post useful. If you’ve got questions, feedback or suggestions, let’s connect (and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or wherever):
Go Beyond Best Practices: Email Is Your #1 Marketing Tool (but not the way you think)
Hi and welcome to Video Mojo!
This is a weekly video blog and podcast that combines timeless marketing principles with a playful exploration of the bleeding edge of video communications, online marketing, and all kinds of good stuff like that.
This week I’m talking about:
Beyond Best Practices: Email is your number one marketing platform, but not the way you think. And how to make your emails massively more effective.
So let’s start with fundamental principles. Digital marketing is about relationships. Really all marketing and business are about relationships. And not only is marketing and business about relationships but when you build them online it HAS to be recurring.
I’m going to be interviewing Jay Acunzo on Video Mojo and his Marketing Showrunners company has this line.
“Great marketing isn’t about who arrives, it’s about who stays.”
That really is what I’m talking about. That is how you can use email to be your #1 tool. You can keep people coming back and stay engaged with the people who care about the value that you are offering.
How do you build relationships using all of these latest greatest online marketing tools? Well, email is often overlooked. It’s interesting, when people are starting out and building an online presence, they know they need a website but they don’t often think about the email list as a primary way that they connect. People don’t always go to your website, for example, but they do always go to their inbox. If you’re leading with value, as I like to say, then you’re visiting them and having the opportunity for multiple touches. And that really is one of the main reasons that email is the #1 marketing tool. You get to go back again and again as long as you build a relationship, lead with value, and give some meaning for you to be there.
Seth Godin defines “permission marketing as the privilege (not the right) to deliver anticipated, personal and relevant messages to people who actually want to get them”
So how do you do that? How do you deliver email messages that people actually want to read? Well, the first thing is the #1 principle, keep it simple! The biggest and most common mistake that I see is complicated, convoluted, long newsletter-style emails. That’s not really something that has much appeal. But a personal meaningful message that really is designed to give your most important followers the value that they’re looking for, on message with the way that you contribute, that is something valuable.
How do you get them to understand that? It actually starts with the subject line. At last year’s Crafts + Commerce, the Convertkit conference – that I’ll be going to again this June – I heard Karen X talk about viral videos. She emphasized that it all starts with the headline. So when you’re doing videos and you want people to find them, the subject matter actually begins with the title. And with an email, equally important if not more so is your subject line. Because obviously if people don’t open the email then it doesn’t matter how good it is and how much valuable content it is. That subject line is how you let people know the value that you’re trying to deliver.
What is the fundamental game-changer? Being intimate and personal, rather than the more conventional approach to digital marketing – a shotgun blasted out, see what comes back. You really want to make an intimate personal connection rather than some kind of manipulative selling.
Keep it simple, keep it focused. It doesn’t have to be glitzy. Definitely don’t make too many notes, too long, or too complicated. But keep it valuable and let people know with the subject line how you are going to help them. That simplicity of focus on being valuable and being of service is what will keep people engaged with you and deliver the holy grail of building relationships, online meaningful, authentic, sustainable relationships with what you’re doing online and email is your best channel to do that because it has that conversational recurring basis.
One final tip: A lot of people tell me that they’re worried about a weekly frequency, that people will turn them off. Well, if you’re being valuable on a consistent weekly basis, that actually is the real secret sauce of building relationships and keeping it going. The unsubscribers, don’t worry about them. They’re not your people. The people who engage and read on a regular basis and appreciate what you’re doing, that’s the real gold.
That’s video mojo for this week. Thank you so much for your kind attention.
I look forward to your feedback questions and suggestions and I’ll see you next time!
https://www.combridges.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Email-Is-Your-_1-Marketing-Tool-640-x-300.png300640JonLelandhttps://www.combridges.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/ComBridges-Logo-300x60-300x60.jpgJonLeland2020-03-20 01:26:082020-03-20 01:28:58Go Beyond Best Practices: Email Is Your #1 Marketing Tool (but not the way you think)
Is there such a thing as a “North Star” guidance system for your digital marketing?You bet there is.
And, it’s not a tip, trick or “recipe for success.” It’s WAY more valuable than that.
For me, connecting with what I call “the real Internet” is “the one in front of all the zeros.” It’s that important because it gives everything else meaning.
Click above to watch this week’s Video Mojo video blog & podcast episode.
Please watch and let me know if you agree. OK?
About Video Mojo
Video Mojo is a weekly video blog and podcast hosted by award-winning media innovator, Jon Leland. It combines timeless marketing principles with a playful exploration on the “bleeding edge” of digital video & social media.
I’d love to hear what works for you and if you find this program useful. If you’ve got questions, feedback or suggestions, please comment below, or let’s connect (and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or wherever):
Digital Marketing Guidance: Better Choices Make a Better Business – This Changes Everything!
Hi and welcome to Video Mojo!
My name is Jon Leland and this is a video blog and podcast that combines timeless marketing principles with the bleeding edge of marketing and video communications.
Today I am talking about something that can change everything! It’s the choices that we make in our business and really some of the fundamental choices that are like the north star that guides everything. You know, there are these “whys” and these passions, and when you have the discipline to take the time to listen for those they do make better business choices. It’s not just about money but about quality of life, quality of relationships and doing marketing and communications that are meaningful.
I started listening on Audible to the new James Taylor fragment of autobiography. It’s his first 21 years he calls it “Break Shot”. He opens that audio program with this quote.
“Perhaps art happens when the usual channels are not available and you have to find a new path forward. Sometimes in describing that new pathway, we open a door that is useful to other people too.”
That’s kind of why I’m here. Because I’m opening doors for myself and exploring:
What do I want to say in this video blog?
How can I contribute?
Who are my tribe?
Where’s my community?
What I’ve remembered is that the internet is this multi-faceted thing. We all know that there are spammers and trolls out there and there are get rich quick marketing people. I do highly recommend that you avoid these, in particular, get rich quick ideas. “Here’s the formula, here’s the recipe, if you just follow this three-step process you’re guaranteed to make six figures.” I don’t think that’s how it works and I also don’t think that’s a north star.
I’ve really learned over the years that it’s not about the money, I like earning a living there’s nothing wrong with money, but I’ve found that there is a better internet and the better internet is based on real people who are doing authentic things.
I’m reminded of this story when I was on a video shoot in India. We were in an airport in a small city in India and it was kind of this relatively modern concrete impersonal dry cold kind of building, like airports tend to be. We were waiting for a delayed plane and one of the locals invited me to go for chai tea at a local chai walla – a local chai stand. We walked out of the airport around a corner and before we knew it we were with the local people in a local chai shop. It was warm and friendly and colorful like most of India, very much not like the airport. I said to myself, “Oh, this is the real India. Now we’re in the real India”.
I had a similar experience recently. I had a conversation with a marketer, the head of Marketing Showrunners, Jay Acunzo. And this conversation lit up my heart. He’s an authentic guy who I really think is about making a difference. Someone who is saying some very direct things about how we build real community. In this conversation, I went “Oh, this is the real internet! I remember there are people out here like that.”.
So that’s my invitation to you this week. Find your north star. Find real people, make real connections, build authentic relationships. There is a real internet out here and if you do that, it changes everything. You’ll make better choices that will give you a better life, better communities, and a more satisfying business.
So let me know what you think I really appreciate your kind attention and I do look forward to your feedback comments and suggestions.
Thanks again for watching. See you next week!
https://www.combridges.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Better-Choices-640-x-300_1.png300640JonLelandhttps://www.combridges.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/ComBridges-Logo-300x60-300x60.jpgJonLeland2020-02-27 16:32:132020-03-12 20:35:17Digital Marketing Guidance: Better Choices Make a Better Business – This Changes Everything!
