Episode #18 - More Apprentice Nitwits, How to Get Customers to Notice You, A Handy Online Research / Survey Tool, and a BIG Marketing Lesson from Excedrin, the Headache Tablet Brand.
August 19, 2008New to this website? View Episode #1 to bring you up to speed (we don't want you to miss out). Oh, and don't forget to sign up for show updates (top right corner of this page)
Episode #18 - I’ve been watching more episodes from the last series of the UK version of Donald Trump’s ‘The Apprentice’ with Sir Alan Sugar. It’s mind boggling how many idiotic decisions are made by the contestants. You gotta’ see the episode I talk about in this show, where they have to design and create a new greeting card. It’s hilarious and painful at the same time.
The viewer question comes from Charlene Webster in San Antonio, TX. She rightly observed that its better to be sought out by customers, rather than do what most business owners do, which is to seek out (i.e. cold call) customers. I give some suggestions on how to do just that.
Resources and websites mentioned in this episode:
AutomaticBestSeller (help in creating your own book)
Ask500People (instantly survey 500 random people)
Regards,
August 19th, 2008 at 11:32 pm
Great Episode as always! That greeting card skit was hilarious. Though I’m not the most creative and have politics on the mind, I think some Obama and McCain greeting cards offering some humor might brighten the politically driven individuals day. Could be used for voter registration awareness too.
August 20th, 2008 at 6:53 am
Hey Andrew, great show. The Apprentice in Britain is like watching a biz-based disaster each week… which is why people watch.
I’d create a “be my guru” greeting card… for sending to your favourite guru in the hopes of striking up a relationship.
Neil.
NeilShearing
August 20th, 2008 at 6:58 am
Hey, I like the idea of rebranding for a particular crowd. That gives me an idea for some of my training…
Ken Walker
http://www.WalkerStudioPro.com
August 20th, 2008 at 9:20 am
Thanks Andrew! Enjoyed your show and also your pick of shirt today! ‘Made in England’… very cute.
August 20th, 2008 at 10:41 am
Andrew - as always a great show! My greeting card would be simply - You’ve made a Difference in my life. I think it’s great to say thank you often, but there are times when a stock thank you card is not really right.
I think people who impact us positively should know it if possible - what better way than to send or give a card? It doesn’t have to be heavy - but for example as I close my business I have had many people tell me that I will be missed - and I feel the same. I will write out cards to suppliers and even the mailman to let them know that they made a difference in my life as well! Thanks and by the way, Andrew, your work has really been an inspiration for me. Even though the current business isn’t going to make it - I will continue to watch and learn! Mimi
August 20th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Hi Andrew,
I’ll say this again - The Apprentice UK - and even more so the USA version, are not made to show us how entrepreneurial some people are. They are there to make the contestants look stupid - which they succeed in, and for fun!
Love your Dr.Phil modified book cover/title.
We know about things and products that are marketed because they are good, or ok - but what about stuff that is beyond bad? The Australian soap “Chances” has been released on special 3-set DVD. It’s been voted as one of worst, most ridiculous TV creations ever. Ever watched it, Andrew? More examples of things that are so bad, they market and sell themselves?
Note: When you have headaches, there’s usually an underlying problem. See an alternative health care practitioner. NOT Excedrin.
Lisa
http://www.SurveySam.com
PS: Still streched.
August 20th, 2008 at 10:15 pm
GREAT ideas for cards everyone.
Lisa, I’ve never seen ‘Chances’, sounds great! How about William Hung’s spin-off album from American Idol?!
Andrew
P.S. I’m not qualified to give health advice, so I don’t comment on that, my role is to share marketing lessons.
August 20th, 2008 at 10:30 pm
Wow, very interesting repositioning commentary. I sell nutritional supplements as a, well, financial supplement to my primary business. Many of these supplements have multiple benefits, and writing a targeted article in our newsletter would help highlight the benefits of said supplement. Next newsletter: same supplement, new benefits with a new target in mind. Hmm. I like it.
And as a side note, I love Lisa’s point about the underlying problem - I see TONS of people who have had headaches for weeks and sometimes months, and there is almost always a misalignment of the neck that is causing an imbalance, leading to the headache. There is a great deal of research out there now showing that even headaches once-thought to be caused by sinus issues can be attributed to cervicogenic pain (pain originating from the neck). These headaches respond amazingly to chiropractic! Sorry for the digression - I get passionate!
THANKS ANDREW!
Dr. Scott
http://www.hilltopwellness.com
August 20th, 2008 at 10:51 pm
Dr Scott,
No need to apologize for being passionate, I love it! Glad you benefitted from the show.
Andrew
August 21st, 2008 at 8:01 am
Andrew… u r gem good show…well i liked ur skills and knowledge i woud like to watch old as well as new vedios
August 23rd, 2008 at 8:03 pm
Loved the greeting card part…makes me want to watch the uk apprentice and have a good laugh!
My card idea would be “I love you even though it’s not Valentine’s Day”
August 23rd, 2008 at 9:07 pm
I love your show Andrew ! Smart & Funny
I’ve been hooked since the first episode
Moreover, your English accent is the best to clearly understand this language.
// Thank you from Brittany, France
August 24th, 2008 at 11:49 am
Andrew loved the show. My first time seeing it but will tune in from now on. Very interesting =)
August 24th, 2008 at 11:58 pm
Great Show Buddy! Coming back again!
September 8th, 2008 at 9:25 pm
Here’s an idea. Why not design all greeting cards with a place on the back of the card to place a stamp and a thank you note so the person who received the card can just return the card’s back flap as a postcard thanking the giver of the card/gift. Of course this will only work if the card has a paper insert (this means the back inside flap can now have thank you information printed on it.