There's not a single business owner out there who likes to see a bad review.   But in what is sure to become a classic lesson on how NOT to respond, a business owner in Midtown Manhattan found himself...dialing back...his response.   Ron Gordon owned Watch Repair at 280 Madison Avenue in New York.  Matthew Brand says he saw the great reviews on Yelp for the store, so he brought his antique pocket watch in for repair.   Long story short, Brand wasn't pleased that they couldn't fix it...saying they'd have to send it back to the manufacturer.  Brand says after a competing store repaired his watch on site, he left Gordon's shop a two star review on Yelp.   That was in 2013.  Flash forward.  Brand opens his mail nearly a year later...and finds a letter from Gordon's attorney, telling him to ... 12/01/2014

Every year, there are between three and five thousand accidents because of reindeer.   Note: this figure does NOT include Santa's fender-benders.  The man gets a pass.   It's a problem that's grown to epidemic proportions in Finland.  So what are they doing about it?   Glow-in-the-dark reindeer.   No - they're not radioactive.  These bad boys are sprayed with reflective sprays so the antlers can be more visible to drivers at night.   Down with the number of accidents...up with the number of drivers suffering heart attacks when they see one of these guys standing in the middle of the road.   Here's the thing.  Every business owner has reindeer run out in the road in front of them, metaphorically speaking.   I'm talking about the challenges that you didn't expect.  The new competing busin... 11/30/2014

Many small businesses try for years to get media exposure.  Some succeed and are proud to see their company featured in the newspaper or the evening news.  Others fall short - wondering why they can't seem to catch the eyes of journalists.  Others end up making headlines - for all of the wrong reasons.Phil Alexander Robertson.  Professional hunter.  Duck Commander.  Reality television star.  And man of faith.In late 2013 he became the subject on controversy after an interview with GQ magazine, where he said that homosexual behavior is sinful. The media exploded.A&E suspended him.  Then ran a marathon of The Duck Dynasty.  Then, citing strong backlash from his supporters, lifted the suspension after nine days.Let's be clear.  This isn't a blog debating whether what he said was or was not... 11/29/2014

It's a campaign targeting senior citizens. In a good way. This time?  Free hair cuts just in time for the holidays. This will mark the fourth campaign we're doing in conjunction with Always Best Care Senior Services of Central CT.  It's an ongoing series of campaigns called Make a Senior Smile. In just a couple of weeks, we'll have the pleasure of filming for four hours at Michael Anthony's Barber Shop in Farmington, CT.  Michael Anthony and Always Best Care have teamed up to provide free hair cuts with senior citizens.  All they're asking for in return?  Just a smile. We'll film the entire event and share it with you...to hopefully share with your friends and family to help inspire others. What are YOU doing this year to #MakeASeniorSmile or to give back to others? 11/28/2014

A few years back, I was doing business with someone who was paying a boatload of money on a monthly retainer.  There was nothing like cashing that check every single month. Until that sneaky little gut feeling hit me. I had no evidence that he was doing anything wrong.  At the time, he wasn't.  Just a bad, bad feeling. So I terminated the contract. Two years later, the guy is in some MASSIVE trouble with the law and burned a whole lot of people. The lesson?  Trust your gut. Know When To Say No In the state of Connecticut alone, there are more than 750,000 businesses.  Now multiply that across every state and every country.  And that's just for B2B businesses.  Now think about the sheer volume of clients if you're B2C. So why do we sell our soul? It doesn't have to just be a sale of your... 11/27/2014

As of this morning, I've received no fewer than 147 emails from assorted vendors wishing me a Happy Thanksgiving. The text messages started flowing at 11am yesterday.  I'm sure that by 5pm they'll reach a fever pitch, flowing as freely as the wine being passed around many Thanksgiving tables. Oh, you cared enough to send me a mass text?  Or to email me a generic graphic wishing me a Happy Thanksgiving?  Why, you SHOULDN'T HAVE.  No, really.  You shouldn't have. Don't get me wrong.  I appreciate you thinking about me. Or, in most cases, not forgetting about me is perhaps more of an accurate statement. Come on now - you know exactly what I'm talking about.  You're going through your email list or scrolling through your contacts going, "did I miss anyone?" Don't get me wrong.  If someone w... 11/26/2014

It was one of those moments that scored high fives all around. This is the story of how we helped score a BIG win for one of our clients. The Competition Monaco Ford of Glastonbury, Connecticut was approached by a couple of students from Glastonbury High School earlier this year.  Monaco was asked if they'd partner with the high school for "Celebrate My Drive". Sponsored by State Farm Insurance, it was a competition celebrating new drivers who make smart driving choices. The program was created because more teens die from crashes than any other cause, and the first year of driving is statistically the most dangerous. It was a cause close to the hearts of the students.  They lost a friend last year in a tragic accident.  Working with the girl's mom, this group decided the best way of pay... 11/25/2014

For all those of you who spend money on SEM (search engine marketing including Google ad-words), I'm about to ruin your day. Google is now encouraging people to NOT have ads served to them. We're talking about a new subscription service called Google Contributor.  It's still in a beta mode of sorts, and at this point appears to be a relatively small experiment. Here's how it works.  Users pay between $1 and $3 per month to remove ads from partner sites on both desktop and mobile. What goes in the space that had been occupied by an ad?  A simple "thank you" message from Google. Personally, I'd pay $10 a month to replace them with pictures of bacon.  Or Megan Fox.  Who is equally as delicious. Actually, make that $25 per month. Oh stop it.  My wife knows that Megan Fox is my hall pass. I ... 11/24/2014

Social media.  It's like the girl who told you she thought she might be pregnant 15 minutes after you dumped her. Today, we're having a candid conversation about social media.  Or, more specifically, trial by social media.  Because it appears that the whole "innocent until proven guilty" thing need not apply.  We're talking about everything from Michael Phelps to your business.  Buckle up.  The Olympic Conundrum So Michael Phelps just got out of rehab for the second time, because apparently he's a gold medal winner when it comes to the butterfly AND the scorpion bowl.   And what does he come out into?  A media sensation because his girlfriend announced to the world through social media that she's intersex (meaning she's got - or has had - both male and female parts). The guy's all ticke... 11/23/2014

As a new dad, I've got a lot to learn.  As business owners and professionals, we also have a lot to learn. Today's lesson hit me as I was trying to let my wife get some sleep.  I brought our 8-week-old daughter downstairs and spent some time playing with her, then tried to put her down for a nap.  She would have none of it.  She wanted to spend time with me NOW.  Not later.  She could care less how much work I had to get done...her message was LOUD and clear.  Spend time with me.  Pay attention to me.  Love me. She's right.  Your customers are also right.  And here are the lessons in marketing I learned from an 8-week-old.   Pay Attention To Me Now The average attention span for adults watching online video is 9 seconds.  That's how long you have to capture their attention.  The average... 11/22/2014

  Before you sit down to eat turkey on Thanksgiving you may want to consider running in the 78th Annual Manchester Road Race, In Manchester, CT.  The Manchester Road Race takes place every Thanksgiving Day, and is one of  the last road races for the year in Connecticut.  The Manchester Road Race is also a great way to build up your appetite for the huge turkey dinner to follow. Those interested in running in the 78th Annual Manchester Road Race, In Manchester, CT. should click here to find out more about registering for the race.  Below are the race details:   78th Annual Manchester Road Race  Main Street, Manchester, CT. Friday, November 27, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. Length of Course:  4.748 milesMax Number of Participants:  15,000Free Shuttle at Manchester Community College   **************... 11/22/2014

When it comes to marketing real estate...what are you selling?  Are you selling homes... prices... lifestyles...or yourself as an agent? Every business model that's out there is a little different.  Some real estate agents believe - I believe unfortunately - that it's their job to sell themselves. Others believe it's their job to sell specific properties. I believe it's their job to sell solutions that fit the lives of the people they are selling TO. What do you think? I want to share with you a little project we're just wrapping up.  One of our clients, Iron Will Fitness, sells all of the above (with the exception, of course, of properties).  But he offers a very unique experience in his gym.  So we figured we'd produce a little video to help sell that experience. Take a look and share... 11/22/2014

It's the conversation that your advertising firm and your marketing team doesn't want to have with you. It's the conversation your employees are having when you're out at lunch. Nobody gives a damn about your 90 years in the business. Nobody cares how long you've been around - if you can't get customers exactly what they are looking for...when they are looking for it. Unique Selling Proposition Here's where your century in the business IS valuable - knowledge.  Experience.  Education. Sadly, that's not what many businesses are selling.  They are selling a sense of entitlement - or at least that's how it comes across.  They are promoting their years in the business as if it's something that should make me want to do business with them because they've been around forever. The message of t... 11/20/2014

I wish I could buy each of you a beer.  I really do. The Active Rain community has already given me so much in terms of knowledge and awareness regarding the real estate industry.  I'm a firm believer that if you're the smartest guy in the room, you're in the wrong room. I'm definitely in the right room here on ActiveRain. A few weeks back I posted a blog called "Why Your SEO Guy is Laughing the Whole Way to the Bank." Apparently lots and lots and lots of people thought this was a pretty hot topic. So many people, in fact, that Small Business CT asked me to be on their Ask The Expert Call regarding it. The call takes places at 10am EST today - the information is on the right.   It's no holds barred, ladies and gentlemen.  It's your chance to beat me up and ask anything and everything ab... 11/19/2014

We recently had the pleasure of shooting a unique kind of real estate video for one of our clients. This time, we weren't featuring a home.  We were featuring a unique selling proposition for the community. The introduction is the agent talking about the community.  Then comes the music video. I'm curious as to what you think. Go check it out by clicking here.  And give us a "like" while you're on there if you'd be so kind.   I'm not just curious about what you think of the video.  I want to know...how are YOU using video to showcase your properties, your communities or your unique selling proposition? And none of these "fly by" comments just for the points.  Go watch the video.  For real.  THEN comment.   Love you.  :) 11/18/2014

We've all heard it from clients. "Here's a check - but do me a favor.  Don't cash it until Monday." That "favor" used to be once in a while.  Now it seems as if it's coming fast and furious. Struggling Businesses A report by ABC news earlier this year turned up some companies that are either closing locations or going through some tough times.  Some of those businesses included some unexpected names. Sbarro.  Barnes and Noble.  Blackberry.  Staples.  Quiznos.  RadioShack.  Sears. Let's focus in on a couple of these businesses and see what we can learn from the changes in society and how they've failed to adapt their marketing strategies to fit. Barnes and Noble Marketing Challenges In a recent article, I addressed my own shopping habits specific to Barnes and Noble.   I walk in the door... 11/17/2014

Many businesses are finally coming around and realizing that websites need to be responsive.   So why aren't their commercials? It's the next generation of advertising - and it's not at all what you think it is.  Why Responsive? A number of studies have demonstrated the surging growth of online business.  Some 67 percent of users say they're more likely to purchase a product or service from a mobile-friendly website.   Depending on the business, some 50 percent of traffic or greater comes from mobile devices.   So why would you have a website that is only easily readable from a desktop device?   Let's clear this up, for those of you saying "you can read my website from an iPhone".  If you have to pinch and zoom to read the site, it doesn't count.  Look through your Google analytics...yo... 11/16/2014

100 years from now, historians will look back and declare that you and I flourished in the Digital Revolution.  Today - right now - is the Industrial Revolution of our generation.  And there's a bug that started it.  Earlier this year, we had the opportunity to do some filming for Hennessy.  And that's where I learned all about phylloxera.   Ever hear of it?  It's a bug that attacks grapevines and sucks the sap from their roots. Here's the interesting thing.  I'm going to boil down the history into about a sentence.  The bug hit...and nearly wiped out vineyards in Cognac, France.   What does low supply do?  It leads to a higher demand - and price.  And without spending too much time going into the details - I should also point out that the Great Wine Blight also in a roundabout way lea... 11/15/2014

Joe Petrowsky and I are big believers in the need to keep learning and to keep teaching. That's the whole reason why we hosted a seminar just over a week ago focused on social media marketing in the digital age.  Last week, I gave two presentations at local colleges, explaining - as I'll address in an upcoming blog - how we are living through our Industrial Revolution of this age.  Those students aren't even going to know what hit them when they leave the classroom.  Or perhaps they will.  After all, they are guiding the ship that we think we are sailing. This coming Tuesday, Joe, our business partner Manny and I will be hosting a complimentary hour seminar on just that topic - Branding Your Business and Yourself in the Digital Revolution.  If you're in the area, you should try and come... 11/14/2014

Ask and you shall receive. The recent blog I shared - Your SEO Guy is Laughing the Whole Way To The Bank -  was more popular than I could have ever imagined.  Apparently everyone wants to know the real deal with SEO. We were contacted by Small Business Connecticut and asked to talk about the subject on an Ask The Expert call.  It's totally free and there's no sales pitch by anyone I'm told.  It's all about helping educate people. So check out the information below.  I'll be talking about the latest trends and updates since the blog rolled out...and answering any and all questions in this live call. On a side note, I'm told Joe Petrowsky was asked to speak on one of these calls a while back...and that he had the greatest number of calls to date.  Help me show the old bull how it's done. ... 11/14/2014