#115 – “World Cup Football, Starbucks Free Wi-fi,Google FastFlip, MLM’s – Good or Bad, and a BIG Marketing Lesson from AT&T”

Episode #115 – “The One With John Cleese ;) ” – Small Business Marketing Tips

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Websites and Resources for your benefit:

Special offer for Microwave Marketing (download the audio and PDF free guides)

Bluehost (Reliable website host)
Google Fast Flip (Flip through articles on niche topics, fast)

Other Useful Resources for Small Business Marketing:

Consult with Andrew (Via telephone, to help your business grow faster)

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NiftyClicks (Discover the very latest web tools and resources)

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Did you see the world cup final? I was in New York while it was going on, and there were little huddles of people grouped around portable TV’s on the streets, it was amusing to watch. See if you agree with the observations from John Cleese (Monty Python) about football / soccer, whatever you want to call it.

Starbucks recently changed their wi-fi policy in stores.  It used to cost, but now it’s free, in line with many other popular food/drink destinations not least of which is McDonalds.  There’s a downside though – seems like business people are virtually living in Starbucks and using it as their office!  Apparently in some locations it’s becoming tough to find a place to sit down and drink a cup of coffee.  As I always say, everything is marketing and marketing is everything.

Google fastflip is in ‘labs’ mode as of this writing, but it’s a great resource that I highly recommend.  See what it does in this episode.

Finally, a BIG marketing lesson from cellphone giant AT&T.  As you may know, in the U.S. AT&T have had the iPhone exclusively for the last few years.  Seems like that’s coming to an end, and they’ve done something clever to maximize their reach for as long as possible.  I’ll reveal the details in this show.

As usual, let me know your opinion about the topics covered in the show this week – leave your comment below, it’s really easy to do.

Enjoy the show!

Regards,

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Feedback / Questions: Send me a message or question about your business, you just need a webcam connected to your computer. It’s fast, easy, and free. Note: You might be famous! In submitting a video, you agree to the possibility of having your video shown in a future episode of the show. Click on the ‘reply’ button below to submit your marketing related comment.

31 Responses

  1. Andrew,

    The link for the Special Microwave Marketing is not working. You have two urls combined in one link.

    Dave

  2. Here it the correct link for google’s fast flips”

    http://fastflip.googlelabs.com/

  3. Starbucks could state it like unlimited access with purchase and time til they have to leave comparative.

  4. As a frequent customer of Starbucks (I am now a gold-card carrier!) I was a little disappointed that wi-fi was now free in their coffee shops. That was one of the perks of being a loyal customer. I realize that their competitors (McDonald’s, Panera, etc.) have been giving wi-fi away for free, however I do not think of going into McD’s to set up my office for the day. Panera on the other hand is more likely to get a similar customer to Starbucks. It must be tough for a cafe to see people day after day setting up their computers and monopolizing a table for hours, while only ordering a cup of coffee.

  5. I go to Starbucks daily but I never stay more than an hour, but I do see many folks setup camp with their laptops. My issue with some of them, is not the length of their stay, it’s their propensity for taking calls on their cell phone and talking loud and long. As a courtesy, I always take my calls outside, or let them go to voicemail.

    I would like to see Starbucks address this issue by placing signage that encourages customers to keep the confines of coffee shop free of cell calls. By not addressing it, they training the public that it’s OK and the shops are turning into a big phone booth.

    As Frank Costanza says, “Serenity Now!”.

  6. Dear Andrew:

    You comments on MLM marketing is right on.

    The business model is set up like an pyramid.

    I.E. Pyramid scheme.

    The reputation of MLM became so bad, they had to change the name to Network Marketing.

    I don’t like using my friends to make money in an MLM business.

    Bottom Line: If you are not one of the first 50 people into this organization, you most likely will NOT make a lot of money in this type of business.

  7. The link for the Special Microwave Marketing is not working

  8. I was pleasantly surprised just how informative this video was, and I went back to watch several of the earlier videos.

    The ATT marketing segment was a terrific wake-up call. We struggle to monitor our competitors in our field (cemetery monument sales) – it’s simply not all that easy. It’s also a struggle to find new creative ways to improve our image and marketing to a larger customer base.

    I would love to see a show with ideas that would work in the funeral industry. It’s a large industry with several difference facets of business – cemeteries, funeral homes, cemetery monuments, etc.

  9. I have a paid membership with ATT&T , because I usually meet clients in different Starbucks locations since they are all over NY. Since they start this free wi-fi policy it has become a nightmare, very slow connection and many stores wireless devices has not upgrade for quantity of users that now they have, bad move.
    Not only I cancel my membership but I also not going to Starbucks that often.

  10. Starbucks idea is foolish. We go there to drink coffee.

  11. Jimm Crouse says:

    I really like the Fastflip tip, Andrew. It will be a wonderful aid in my research projects.

    Regarding the Starbucks wi-fi policy…When I worked in the fast food business my mentor pounded into me his mantra “Turn over equals cash, so get ‘em in, take their money and get ‘em out!” So, I think that Starbucks is making a huge mistake by opening the door to table squatters.

    Another good show!

  12. Another great show looks like a diff player and possibly new hosting. Looked good just buffered a little more often on this end.
    Free wifi for Starbucks was not an option in order to keep their business. McDonalds has moved in on them seeing what a great model they had selling coffee at a huge profit. McDonalds free wifi took a toll on many shops.
    I watch your show every week for ideas for my own show. I quess you’re one of my mentors now although I’ve never met or spoke with you. Keep it up!
    Jack

  13. I was one of those people that was fighting corporate to make it FREE for everyone and how much money they where loosing to other coffee shops. I am one of those that had use Starbuck as my office for little over 10 years now. Do you thing that I have brought a lot of business to Starbucks? …humm!

  14. It was a good show, although it bugffered a number of times. You diseminate useful information to us. Keep up with the good spirit.

  15. It was a good show, although it bugffered a number of times. You diseminate useful information to us. Keep up with the good spirit.

  16. Andrew,

    I owned a coffeehouse for seven years. We were among the first to offer free Wi-Fi years ago. Most independent coffeehouses, and many other places, have offered free Wi-Fi for a long time as a way to increase traffic. Starbucks is merely responding to the market. I know of no one else who charges for Wi-Fi.

    They were way behind the curve here.
    Jim

  17. I think coffee shops should be coffee shops…for coffee and conversation. I don’t enjoy it when I sit down for a coffee and a chat or just to relax with a sweet, hot drink and people around me are clicking away on their keyboards. I think the best solution is a designated wi-fi area…off in a dark corner somewhere.

  18. This is really interesting, thanks, a lot of humor involved in that football explanation lol, i will sure follow this show always.

  19. David Ravi says:

    It was like fun watching the information given, the updates were very good too….
    congrats and keep up the good work.

  20. gayathrriselvaraj says:

    The video was very helpful and gives more information on marketing . it motivates the budding entrepreneurs to start up their business with full confidence. And also there were more details given about http://www.trybluehosting.com.this helps people to save time in searching for reliable websites.

  21. I used to really like Starbucks. They have gotten really “fast food” though. Messy, generic, rude. And as you listener pointed out, there is no place to sit down. Heck, I’ve seen people snoozing in the comfy chairs. Hey, it’s not a flop house.

  22. Very interesting and entertaining video. The topics were very smart and I really enjoyed watching it.I liked the Starbucks new strategy. As for MLM I too have found it is harder than a regular job.Thanks for all the tips about business this show was awesome , keep up the good work!

  23. I don’t understand why Starbuck’s free wifi is news. Many other coffee shops have been offering free wifi for years.

  24. muhammadridzuan says:

    wow!! great link..!! very nice..!!

  25. muhammadridzuan says:

    congrats! You diseminate useful information to us..well!! 5star…special marketing..

  26. Not working.. need to improve the marketing concepts and specially need to improve about the e-marketing concept and then rejuvenate the ideas…

  27. Like the AT&T marketing tip. Good that business should monitor their competition and be ready for the next move. Whatever that might be.
    Love the Starbucks WiFi, I think it is a great move. More crowd, more coffee selling. Hey, maybe it is time to expand some more and open up new locations, instead of shutting down due to the economic meltdown. Great move.
    Love the show. Thanks Andrew.

  28. Is there a way to search past past episodes
    that deal with over seas (Philipines etc) web builders ? I am looking (help) for all the local promotions I can find.
    thanks
    S

  29. It is a good show and informative .Thanks Andrew

  30. I would like to exchange links with your site helpmybusiness.com
    Is this possible?

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