It’s no secret that writing consistently successful proposals is an art.
Used well, however, a proposal can be a great marketing tool. In fact, if you really play your cards right, you can even sell your proposals as a service.
No matter how smart or innovative you are, the fear of failure is definitely a problem; it’s kept many entrepreneurs from realizing success.
All entrepreneurs feel that fear. In fact, it’s often what lights the fire in our belly and leads to success.
Asking the right questions can make or break a sale, idea, or even a whole business.
We’re constantly asking questions (sometimes without even actually asking a question) but we rarely plan out what we should be asking.
Have you ever thought about how a coffee machine works?
Have you ever noticed how machine-made coffee is so much better (and consistent) than the instant kind?
No, I’m not talking about the IPO flop.
Facebook has been plagued by another much more serious problem since day one. It’s something that they’re still struggling to solve at a $100 billion valuation.
The difference between success and failure as a leader lies in your purpose.
The most successful leaders don’t focus on marketing, operations, and finance. They work to build an army of Evangelists.
I’ve been suffering a Big Bang Theory (Amazon aff) addiction lately. Don’t worry, though.
It turns out that it’s a veritable fountain of knowledge for entrepreneurs and marketers. Not only does the show offer scientific & historical tid-bits that you’ll never use in real life, but there’s some solid business wisdom.
Pinterest, the picture sharing social network, is obviously doing something right.
Not only did the site reach 10 million monthly active users faster than any other in history, but it’s generating quite a buzz even as it’s growth slows.
…is you.
It’s cliche, I know, but it seems to be something that we have trouble remembering and believing.
This past weekend, Marvel Studios shattered all box office records with the opening weekend for its Avengers movie.
Yet, I don’t really remember seeing many ads for the movie. In fact, the only Avengers ads I remember were joint promotions from Dr. Pepper and Farmers.
So many entrepreneurs make the mistake of thinking they need a fancy logo and kick-ass brand to be successful.
Be different.
No, I’m not talking about search engine optimization.
I’m talking about a much more important, much more universal SEO.
What was your new year’s resolution?
Most people try losing weight, being healthier, or something similar. Me? I’m trying to work less while producing more.
At its peak, Hugh Hefner’s Playboy Enterprises was valued at over $1 billion. It’s an iconic brand that’s stood the test of time (even through abysmal financial performance).
Playboy owns adult entertainment. It’s unlikely that any brand will touch upon it’s legacy. But I’ve got a secret for you: Playboy isn’t about sex, and Hefner didn’t use sex to build his mega-brand.
Humans have been around for tens of thousands of years. Heck we’ve even been advertising for thousands of years. Chances are that someone’s already thought of your “innovative” idea.
Sorry to burst your bubble.