Marketing in Tumultous Times

Are you hopeful about the future of your business or gloomy? Real marketers market in the good and bad times. If you are a business owner, you may find that you have to also wear the "marketer hat" too. When the seas get rough, old tactics may not work as well. People save their money, hunker down, and peak out into the storm to make their survival, needs-only, decisions. However, the brands that marketed during the sunny days are still remembered. If that is you, my hat is off to you. So, if you are facing tough times, you may need seek out marketing advice to survive. Typically, the companies that have healthy marketing plans are still capitalizing on their investments.

Here are a couple of quick things that you can do to get your brand more visibility:

• Write and send a press release about what your company is doing (get some media coverage)


• Invest in your on-line social media platform - many companies now offer this service


• Start a mastermind group and partner with other people you respect to see how you can leverage each other's opportunities


• Target your list of high-profile clients and focus on them (this list doesn't need to be very big, depends on the size of your company)


• Take a client to lunch (proper etiquette is the one who invites, pays)


• Let others in your network know that you have an immediate need


• Think bigger and stretch out, start preparing for calmer seas now


• Make a plan (now is the time to plan for your future success)


• Identify new customers and new services to add to your existing programs


• Change up your budget, many companies spending more money on-line


• Go into learning mode - what do you really know about marketing? I guarantee it isn't enough. The market is always changing and there are new ideas to discover each day


• Don't discount add more value to your offering!


• Make friends with a real marketer

Andy Valadez is President of Marketing Dynamics, a strategic marketing enterprise helping its clients to leverage their unique business opportunities. His company has served many media personalities, leaders in technology, construction and real estate, racing, film, music, publishers, not-for-profits, and emerging companies. You can find out more about Marketing Dynamics by visiting: www.TeamMarketingDynamics.com. Mr. Valadez is a graduate of Texas A&M University (Marketing) and Tulane University (Applied Business) and served honorably in United States Marine Corps (Desert Shield/Desert Storm). He is happily married to his wife and girlfriend of 27 years, Tina, and has two beautiflul girls, Kayla (8) and Kenna (5).

Contact:
Marketing Dynamics
Phone: 281.463.4560
E-mail: info@TeamMarketingDynamics.com
Micro-blog: www.Twitter.com/MarineAg (to see what Andy is up to now)

Marketing Dynamics, because the market never stays the same. Experts in marketing excellence.

You Are Not Listening!

"What a distressing contrast there is between the radiant curiosity of the child and the feeble mentality of the average adult." - Freud

Strategic Marketing opportunities are new discoveries. A way to connect with people or find ways that people can profitably use your product or service and champion your company for the way it engages the ebb and flow of your offering (the Market is always changing).

I talk to many clients about "market feedback" and new opportunities to leverage what they do. Immediate reactions often get in the way of successful implementation. "Oh! We can't do that" or "I am not equipped to handle that" or "We've never done it that way".

My response "You aren't listening!" I will revisit the opportunity over and over again until the client "Gets it!"

So many times, we get in the way of our own Market success! We just do. We have our own bias, limited thought, inability to put ourselves in the client's shoes and create a system that will make it easier to profitably add the model to our focused offering.

One recent example. I have a client who owns a vacation rental. After thinking about all of the amenities that make this place so unique, I discovered an idea that would make viral opportunities very plentiful and advertising virtually free.

The owner should leave a disposable camera for her guests to use while creating memories and enjoying their stay at her lovely property. The business would cover the cost of the camera, the development, postage, and send a copy of the guest's photos to them after their visit (with a special note). This would enable the owner to place those photos on-line digitally (with the guest's permission) as testimonial photos. The business would also create memory photo album that also stays on property for new guests to review.

The guests in turn could share their photos on-line with friends and family (a link back to the vacation rental would reinforce more visits to the property). She might even have a "memory contest" for the best stories from her guests about their stay. Little additions like these to her business model make it easier for her to successfully raise her prices over the years (which she has).

Most business people would first look at the cost of the additional process and over look the free advertising, goodwill, the key word search visibility that comes with this opportunity, and the brand enhancement that enables future clients to evaluate one more component that makes this business more intriguing over the competition.

A lot can be said for focus; however, if the Marketing opportunity affords you a way to increase differentiation in that sector, one should do it and entrench itself in that offering in creative and unique ways. This the value of Strategic Marketing. Get caught up in THE VORTEX!

What unique Marketing ideas have you done lately? Please comment.

We recommend this book:


To contact Marketing Dynamics visit: www.TeamMarketingDynamics.com or call 281.463.4560.

A Marketer's Mission

My mission in life is to further the dialogue on the value of Marketing. Companies will always, always need to Market.

Many companies pride themselves on never having to Market, but growing their business by word-of-mouth (a company that soley relies on this age old, tried and true formula will miss opportunities along the way). While they are purposely not Marketing their company, someone else is and growing their share of the Marketplace.

To be certain, take a look at successful companies and one wonders "Why do successful companies Market?" Successful brands stay fresh and relevant through Market research, pricing incentives, changes in design and packaging, distribution opportunities (from door-to-door delivery, to internet, to brick and mortar), reminding customers to buy their products via advertising campaigns or news, developing innovative promotion strategies, product placement in movies or other art (i.e., you may hear of products in songs or see it in a painting), sponsoring events, creating a clothing line (i.e., Harley Davidson), writing a book, etc.

There are literally tens of thousands of ways to Market one's company, but being versed in the principles of Marketing are key. Technology makes it easier to reach populations groups, but one can technologically communicate the wrong message, to the wrong group, at the wrong time, the wrong way.

Successful companies Market because growing the Market requires it. Whether your company wants to break the $1M, $10M, $100M, or $1B dollar revenue mark, most leading companies realize that they need a strategically developed Marketing approach that will leverage opportunities for the enterprise.

Word of mouth is great, but your customers, employees, vendors, and competitors need something to talk about and that is where Marketing comes into play.

What is your definition of Marketing? Please post your take.

Get caught up in THE VORTEX!

To contact Marketing Dynamics visit: www.TeamMarketingDynamics.com or call 281.463.4560.

"Movers and Shakers" TV Segment - Recruiting in a Tough Market

Left to Right: Kevin Price, Rose Stabler, Mike Alexander, and Andy Valadez

I go into the studio with Kevin Price, show host for "The Movers and Shakers"(which airs on Phonoscope downtown - the most wired network in downtown Houston) and radio host for "Houston Business Show", Rose Stabler of Certified Business Brokers, and Mike Alexander of ABM Insurance. We talk about recruiting and maintaining employees in tight job market. These segments average about 40,000 downloads a week. Get caught up in The VORTEX.

11/25/07 Episode of "Movers and Shakers" - Media and Business

The "Movers and Shakers" talks about media and the new media to help businesses Market what they do. A great discussion on marketing, business, networking, legal, and the new media. Kevn Price, Show Host, welcomes Ken Marsh of Fearless Networking, Mark Krasney, The Virtual Lawyer, and Andy Valadez (StealthMarketer/Marketing Evangelist) of Marketing Dynamics. Get caught up in THE VORTEX!

See the episode here: <New Media>

Houston Business Hour with Kevin Price

Creative Advertising and Marketing discussion on the Houston Business Hour radio program on CNN 650 AM in the Houston Market (27Aug07) - drive time traffic. Show Host Kevin Price interviews Robbie Adair of Media A Team, Ken Marsh of Fearless Networking, and Andy Valadez, President of Marketing Dynamics. Get caught up in THE VOREX!


Part I: of Radio Discussion: Introductions


Part II: Robbie Adair Talks about Radio and Andy Talks about Marketing Basics


Part III: "Whassup?" Discussion on Creative Marketing and Advertising


Part IV: Establishing Measurements on Your Campaigns


Part V: Ken Marsh and the need for "Networking" and Andy on "Dynamic Networking" utilizing YouTube


Part VI: Robbie on creating goals for use of video

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The Wild World of Ideas and Start-ups

Wow! Where do the weeks go? We are living in truly remarkable times. It is amazing to me that there are so many people caught up with the "misinformation" that permeates the air waves and "blogosphere". For example, "global warming", I don't believe in it and trying to dialogue with someone caught up in the hysteria is unnerving. These are the people who fume with emotion when facing the facts that number in magnitude too difficult to ignore. For example, "true scientists" don't believe it (and they come under persecution for saying so), the sun volatility is something that we can't control and is responsible for the heat everyone is afraid of, and volcanoes emit more noxious gases than we ever could. The facts are that man can't have the type of impact the "worry warts" have placed on it, and nature itself is so immensley powerful that we put ourselves in too high a place for this, and "group think" permeates this group of "World Opinion". "World opinion" carries no weight with me, it has been wrong through out history and cost many millions their lives.

Let's change subject, now that I have stirred the pot little. I think Marketers need to challenge these "nay sayers" at every turn and we welcome your input. Another quick example. As a Former Marine, I believe the battle for America is at stake. I support the war on terror and pray for a "Patton" for our time to rise up and take leadership over this war. A friend of mine was killed in the '83 barracks bombing in Beirut, Lebanon and I am finally encouraged to see our nation strike back at the radical muslim culture that created the "suicide bombers" in the first place.

Now, can we agree that Marketing is warfare. These two examples are on tops of just about "everyone's mind". I guess I could bring in immigration and I do believe we need to protect our borders, but I won't.

So now, in the "Wild World of Ideas" I am finding that the warrior mindset has helped me to break through barriers and challenge the "middle of the road" brain clog that permeates our culture. I am a doer. That has created a funnel of opportunities for me and mine. My founders met this week, to agree that we have the opportunity to change Marketing for the better and we are excited about what the future has in store. I personally am not afraid of global warming, the talk of war, the fear overpopulation, or failure. For many of us, I believe we are living in times of break-throughs. It is past time to claim yours! Make history, be the one making it and don't let the media (news will always be bad) or anyone else stop you from your progress. Remember, when everyone thinks a certain way, it is usually time to change and go the other way. If you are an idea person, you will understand this. God's speed. Get caught up in THE VORTEX!

Genesis 1:28

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Marketing Panel on the Radio, CNN 650AM - Houston Business Show

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Noel Halgreen, President Sona Medspa and Ken Marsh, Fearless Networking

My favorite subject, Marketing!! My client and friends, Noel Halgreen and Ken Marsh, and I join a panel discussion with Kevin Price, Show Host for Houston Business Show which airs in the Houston market on CNN 650AM.

Click to listen: Part One

Click to listen: Part Two

Click to listen: Part Three

Click to listen: Final

Get caught up in The VORTEX!

Body By Sona - Personality Marketing with Kathie Turner

I write about Personality Marketing at my Houston Business Home Show blog about my close friend: Kathie Turner

Kathie is an amazing lady. Check out her blog this year www.BodyBySona.com, as we chart her journey with my client Sona Medspa

Sona Medspa is a national franchise in one of the fastest growing wellness category in America. Personality marketing can help you get more visibility for your marketing programs. Get caught up in The VORTEX!

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An Interview with Steve Levine, Publisher of Real Estate Executive Magazine

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Andy Valadez, StealthMarketer interviews client and friend, Steve Levine, Publisher of the exclusive magazine "Real Estate Executive" created for top Real Estate producers. Visit: www.SteveLevineMedia.com

An Interview with Steve Levine, Publisher of Real Estate Executive Magazine

Leading-edge marketing dialogue. A Podcast “From the Front Lines” by Andy Valadez, President and CEO of Marketing Dynamics, Visit: www.MarketingDynamics.org, “Because the market never stays the same”.

It's A YouTube World, Use it to Your Advantage

YouTube has so many uses from a marketing perspective. In essence, one can create their own media network. I shot this video with my friend Steve Levine, publisher of Real Estate Executive magazine that only goes out to the top 3,100 Realtors(r) in the Houston market. Many of Mr. Levine's clients want to be interviewed now.

Mr. Levine was gracious enough to interview my client Noel Halgreen, President of Sona Medspa Houston (www.sonahouston.com) for Mr. Levine's blog (www.stevelevinemedia.com). Be sure to read the terms and conditions of YouTube to tailor its use with your marketing objectives. Go to "Category FIVE" to see other videos. Get caught up in the VORTEX!

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Interview with Eric De Los Santos Managing Producer for T4 Pictures

Okay. Had a the opportunity to interview Eric De Los Santos, Managing Producer for T4 Pictures. Learn about the ins and outs of making feature film. Vist: www.T4Pictures.com

Andy Valadez #3 - An Interview with Eric De Los Santos, Managing Producer for T4 Pictures (a family movie making company)

Leading-edge marketing dialogue. A Podcast “From the Front Lines” by Andy Valadez, President and CEO of Marketing Dynamics, Visit: www.MarketingDynamics.org, “Because the market never stays the same”.



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