Archive | July, 2012

Branding CAN and WILL Define You.

31 Jul

Branding CAN and WILL Define You.

From Sony’s walkman to Apple’s ipad, we have all seen the dramatic power of simple branding and name recognition. The only question is what will you be synonymous with?

-Sony’s walkman.
Sony probably became a big player when they invented or just started carrying the ‘Walkman’. Now it wasn’t the big boy on the block revenue wise initially I’ll wager but
The iconic naming made Sony a household name when everyone bought a cassette player that fit in the palm of their hand. I had no Sony walkmans, but a ton of Aiwa’s and panasonics that I called walkmans. You see the name became bigger than the product. In fact it eclipsed it in this writers humble opinion. This is a prime example
Of letting your product define your relationship to the consumer. Find this in your business plan and you will win.

-Jordan’s 23.
Michael Jordan is perhaps the greatest player in NBA history. He’s made more wins in more ways than any player. His shoe deals, rings, and clutch plays put him at the pinnacle. He is undoubtedly the guy you want to be in your business. In any business. His number, twenty three (23), is iconic beyond even him. Even Lebron James wanted it. And used it. Kids everywhere bought jerseys with number twenty three (23). It is now a brand almost unto its self.
What is the symbol of your greatness.

-Everything is i-something now.
Yup u heard me- its ipod, ipad, icar, ifan; you name it. Steve Jobs and Apple made a supreme branding issue slash icon when they made the ipod. People lined up around the block for ipods. Then iphones and ipads hit the scene and the crowds went ape. Then the slicksters made irobot a movie, ivacuum and I smile- all kinds of products capitalizing on the i-name. It made a billion dollar aftermarket. It made products with no relation to Apple big bucks.
So will you fo the same or hope people like you for you regardless of presentation et al.

-Hd.
Hd sunglassess. Perhaps the greatest joke. On the ‘As Seen On tv’ ads people can buy HD Sunglasses. And these sunglasses in turn are selling like hot cakes. Also the hd concept for the sunglasses shows how far even television manufacturing made a dime. The simple fact is they are just sunglasses. Yet when re-branded, touching and so fort

The bottom line is whether you brand yourself or let external factors brand you- you have to be in control of both your image and your branding. These two things will put you in league with the big boys.
The question is will you brand effectively or be scared in here

#thriveorsurvive.

Any idea, plan, or purpose may be placed in the mind through repetition of thought. Napoleon Hill. #quote #Inspiration

Thoughts? Concerns?
Questions? Think I’m wrong?
Let’s chat.
Need ideas?
Want to learn how to invite?
Let’s chat.
Want a mentor or maybe the guy who will bounce ideas back and forth with you?
Let’s chat-
Changeinadvance@gmail.com
@changeinadvance
Or simply reply to this article.

Everyones buying Gold and Silver, let them buy it from YOU

31 Jul

#thriveorsurvive

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BILLION DOLLAR AFTERMARKET

31 Jul

Everyone seems to have an ipad, heck some of you only shop apple. I’m taking mac air, iphone 4s, and the ever handy ipad. Steve Jobs may have set the bar but he also created a whirlwind of value and a few smart people seized the day. You see ipad and ipod et al after market products is over a billion dollar industry. That’s right the people not directly licensed by apple and or the products not sold in licensed retailers account for a billion plus dollars in sales.
So my friends let’s see what conclusions and lessons we can draw from this fantastic economic activity.

-See the opportunity.
When the ipod took the music world by storm people went ape. The price was irrelevant because people had what they wanted in hand. A product that was cool, sheik, useful and convenient. However the mass marketers and wholesalers who had a brain used this massive media and fan frenzy to line their pockets. Both low quality and high quality goods were churned out daily in a few different countries to feed the consumer greed and fad chasers lust for newer and better. Cases, workout sleeves, special headphones and even watch bands for certain ipod nanos stormed the market in a manner as epic as the taking of the city of troy. People saw and bought. And then bought some more. And as Apple keeps churning out that nifty product the aftermarket does too. Opportunity is staring you in the face- are you looking for it or coasting on your day job?

-You don’t need to have invented the wheel to feast on it.
Now a lot of these aftermarket products are loosely based on or directly copied from apple products and their licensed partners. However this stopped no one from creating competing consumer goods at a tenth of the price or a little more. The smart business men didn’t even create a product. They seized the moment and simply imported the product and tacked on a great enough percentage to fill their coffers and not tick off potential customers. Even 7Eleven got in on the deal selling products they didn’t own, license, or include in their aggressive marketing campaigns. Yet the products are there to catch the windfall of dollars. Are you catching yours?

-Create value.
Simply put make what they don’t know they NEED. People will buy anything if it solves problems, captures their attention or caters to a whim. The ipad was revolutionary in use size, scope- you name. People use them to fly planes, write novels, see cartoons and even manage small fortune 500 companies. You can just check your email too. But what Apple did here was create something that not only appealed to the masses but had an inherent value in many market places and careers. When you blog, or make cars or take photos at the knicks game if you don’t create something of value you are wasting time.
People don’t buy what is worthless.
People buy vintage not used.
People love innovation.
People hate wasted space.
People hate clutter in purses and backpacks- ipad solves many of these issues.
If you solved but one issue or create even a tiny bit of value you will see success you will have a fan base and a loyal customer base to boot.

-Capitalize on a niche market.
We have more or less covered this folks however I want to be clear.
Apple didn’t stop at computers.
Richard Branson has multiple businesses under one umbrella corporation.
Michael Jackson bought the Beatles rights.
In all three of these examples the victor did one thing he capitalized on a certain avenue or avenues. Branson did it over and over. Heck he still does it! Apple is taking television over sooner than we can expect. And Michael knew the Beatles were almost timeless and used his wealth to double down and added to his paychecks a lifetime of lifetimes in supplemental income. Always
Look for the niche market. What people won’t pay for is a phrasing away from Christmas pandemonium.
See it. Do it.

#thriveorsurvive.

Action is the real measure of intelligence.
– Napoleon Hill #NapoleonHill #Success

Thoughts? Concerns?
Questions? Think I’m wrong?
Let’s chat.
Need ideas?
Want to learn how to invite?
Let’s chat.
Want a mentor or maybe the guy who will bounce ideas back and forth with you?
Let’s chat.

Changeinadvance@gmail.com

@changeinadvance

Or simply reply to this article.

#thriveorsurvive

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GENIUS

30 Jul

Everyone is a genius, but if you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid

#thriveorsurvive

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Fear is Useful

30 Jul

Fear is useful.
(When you know what to fear.)

Remember the Boogeyman? And how he came every night whether you saw him or not? Or Freddy Kruger and Jason? These guys scared the bejesus out of me when I was real young, and many of you too I bet.
See fear is a natural occurrence. We need it. Some people say they are fearless I say that’s foolish. Fear can ruin your life or build your drive to succeed and its simply a matter of whether you master it or not.

-What is fear?
Fear is a response to external and or internal factors and actions. Most of us are afraid of pain. And pain is simply your body warning you to certain permutations and facts. As a recipient of a few broken bones and surgeries I know first hand that at times fear can paralyze you. However if you seek the calm point in you it is an ally. Fear is basically your response to things. Nothing else. However fear can cripple and incapacitate or build and renew.

-Know what to fear.
So we touched on fear being useful. Fear is useful, it is the beginning of wisdom says the Bible in the book of Proverbs and there is truth to that. Being afraid to die can give you a certain center that will enable you to not make ignorant choices. However you have to know what to fear. Fearing red ants is pointless. Fearing success is as well but many people are too afraid to take the steps that lead to pure, unbridled success. If you are afraid of meeting new people, building connections, and or closing sales- don’t quit your day job. Being your own boss comes with a huge magnanimous serving of failure. However when you fear failure you don’t SUCCEED. The key here is to fear not reaching your potential.
You should fear not rising to your potential. You should fear not giving back because you didn’t meet your level. We all have the ability to rise. And while we won’t all be olympic medals we are all entitled to and I dare say required to be our best.
What do you fear?
Why do you fear it?
Conquer your basic fears and move forward.
Can you imagine still being afraid of the dark? You’d get nowhere.
Afraid of the dentist?- I bet you go though because the potential downside is horrendous. And if you avoid the dentist now he will see you more later- CONQUER!

-Harness the power of fear.
In life I’ve been scared of roller coasters, heights, girls, and success. And I had to harness that fear to beat these things that scared me. For rollercoasters I simply let my brother in law shame me until we got on every ride in the park! And after I yelled like a little girl I learned that I actually liked rollercoasters. For heights I beat that by accident. I had to climb a rope ladder repaeatedly when a wild animal almost attacked. While I dislike heights now I won’t lose due to fear. As for girls when we were younger one of my closest friends and I made a deal that we would take turns talking to every pretty girl we saw on our troop home. And it worked! We not only beat the fear but conquered it and realized how easy it was. And for the younger fans and readers- the girls are just as nervous.
When it comes to success I simply force myself to do it. I won’t be in a j-o-b forever. And I make a point to tell people my goals. Not to brag but to hold myself accountable. That way if I say two days it has to be less- otherwise I hear the junk and look inefficient. And I refuse to be less than I am. Do you feel the same?
Conquer People!

#thriveorsurvive.

Thoughts? Concerns?
Questions? Think I’m wrong?
Let’s chat.
Need ideas?
Want to learn how to invite?
Let’s chat.
Want a mentor or maybe the guy who will bounce ideas back and forth with you?
Let’s chat-
Changeinadvance@gmail.com
@changeinadvance
Or simply reply to this article.

#thriveorsurvive

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Everybody’s buying Gold and Silver. Let them Buy from YOU. Click for details.

30 Jul

#thriveorsurvive

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Hemingway is Right.

30 Jul

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TRY

29 Jul

“The best angle from which to approach any problem is the TRY-ANGLE” – Author Unknown

#thriveorsurvive

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GreAtneSs

28 Jul

“Its not how good you are, its how good you want to be”

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Exclusive Interview #2. Spotlighting Ceddy J of www.Duskspot.com

28 Jul

Exclusive Interview #2. Spotlighting Ceddy J of http://www.Duskspot.com
——————–
The second interview in a series highlighting up and coming entrepreneurs and leaders.
Today we interview Ceddy J.

And without further ado:

-Where you from?
Originally From Trenton, NJ and Now Living In Dallas, TX.

-Age?
I’m currently 25 years of age.

-How did you get in the game?
This all sparked from playing many instruments at a young age along with being on the newspaper staff back in high school. After a college professor recommended I take her voice and diction class, she encouraged me to become a radio personality.

-What made you embrace your position?
As far as event promoting, I went to an event for homecoming at my college, which was real fun until some random lames decided they wanted to have a huge brawl. This lead to not only the event ending early, but also lead to the venue never letting Black people have nothing there again. I told myself that night I was going to become a promoter and have events that weed out fighters. After I threw a “Project X” type of party I was involved with some of the premier events in the Dallas area. After a while, I took the experience I have as a promoter, radio personality, and musician to fuse myself into the DJ that I am today.

-What keeps you in your position?
I’m not afraid to take risks along with not allowing rejection to get in the way of I’m passionate about.

-What are your secrets to success?
I always study trends of the industry, understanding every position so that I can convey exactly what I want done the way I want it.

-What don’t you like in the game?
There are always a lot of sharks who say “it takes money to make money”, but half of them are the exact people always looking for handouts. PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH!

-What do you like in the game?
The Underground Aspects Of The Industry set the tone for the majors. Like for instance, internet radio shows like mine focused on the upcoming leaders in the entertainment industry. This lead to major radio stations playing more local music and having weekly shows with local artists.

-What would you change in the game?
Stop letting budgets dictate talent. If an artist is GREAT, let’s find them some investments so that we have quality.

-If I gave you a milli what or whom would
you invest in?
With a milli, I’m investing in starting foundation to help small businesses get their feet off the ground through strong planning and executing.

-What sets you apart from the game?
I understand the basics of the game and then play by my rules and feed off of suggestions to keep myself well-rounded.

-What are your thoughts on 360 deals?
360 are worth it depending on how much a label is willing to invest into its artist, especially when it comes to marketing.

-What made you love hip hop?
My appreciation for multiple genres helped me love hip hop. Its a genre of music that has sparked a huge culture that is always evolving over time.

-Who is your fav rapper/lyricist?
Phonte because this dude is the full package that the industry has been blessed with. He always delivers when he says he has another great project coming out.

-Best person to ever play your position?
Ricky Smiley, because a personality he is not afraid to be himself show after show.

-Best rapper alive?
If we want to talk revenue and talent, hands down Jay-Z.

-Advice for my readers?
I have a coinphrase I say at the end of every show, which is “Where There’s A J, Or A U(You) There’s A Way!” I live by this everyday and encourage my listeners to always go after what they want the best way they can with as many ways possible.

-Your definition of success?
Success is being able to realize that you set the tone through how confident and knowledgeable you are in your position.

-Any projects you’d like to promo?
My social network for upcoming stars in music and modeling called DuskSpot.com which is dedicated to playing an direct role in its members’ careers. I also would like to promote my partner in crime, DJ P Bucc, because without his continued support and direct involvement with all of my projects I would almost give up.

#thriveorsurvive

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