Episode #37 - Predictably Irrational, How to Improve a Website on a Limited Budget, and a BIG Marketing Lesson from Five Guys.
December 31, 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 #37 - The last episode of 2008!
Dan Ariely’s excellent book ‘Predictably Irrational’ should be added to your ‘must have’ list. The book contains countless practical examples of how we make odd decisions consistently. From a logical point of view many things that we do don’t make any sense, but we’re consistent about them, hence predictably irrational.
This week’s question comes from Nick Carroll of Dolphin Printing and Publishing in Orlando, Florida. Nick asks about how to give a ‘dull’ website an overhaul without spending a lot of money. The Nifty Click web resource also relates to the same topic and it’s one of my top 5 favorites, so I hope you get excited about it too!
The BIG marketing lesson comes from Five Guys Burgers and Fries, an up and coming fast food chain that’s opening stores across America. In their marketing they do one simple thing extremely well. ANY business could do the same thing and profit, but most don’t. Discover the secret in this episode, and then implement it in your business!
Websites and resources mentioned in the show:
Predictably Irrational (book by Dan Ariely)
99 Designs (get your website re-designed)
The Florida Seminar (join me in Orlando FL, Jan 23-25th 2009)
NiftyClicks (discover the very latest web tools and resources)
Private Consultation for YOUR Business (with me)
Microwave Marketing Training System (special offer for you)
Regards,
December 31st, 2008 at 5:59 am
Andrew,
Many thanks for another fun show. I’d also like to thank you for the past year - I’ve seen every single episode and they’ve all been really inspiring.
99designs seems like a great resource - will definitely be using them!
Wishing you and all the viewers a happy and prosperous New Year!
Lisa
http://www.SurveySam.com
December 31st, 2008 at 9:51 am
Another great show Andrew! I wanted to add a couple of comments on 5 Guys. They moved into our area of NC/SC a couple of years ago and are doing a booming business at multiple locations. One of their biggest marketing strategies here is that they WAY overdeliver on french fries. A “small” order of fries will feed three people…and you always hear people talking about how much you get for the money…especially first time visitors. People also like the fact that they can truly “have it your way” with unlimited toppings at no extra cost. Great burgers and great marketing from 5 Guys rates a BIG thumbs up! Have a happy and prosperous New Year!!
December 31st, 2008 at 1:16 pm
Dear Andrew,
I enjoy your weekly shows very much. They are informative, helpful and often funny. They also show your unique personality, which is very enjoyable and affable.
I like what you’re doing on your site and recommend it highly to everyone I meet in business. I’m not quite as happy about some of those who you’ ve chosen to partner with, but, hey, that’s just me. I still like you immensely.
Sincerely,
Ted
December 31st, 2008 at 5:43 pm
Lisa,
Glad you liked 99Designs, it’s a really great resource that I’ve used for lots of graphic design work. Thank you for being one of the most prolific commenters on the blog in 2009 - send me your address and I’ll send you a little gift as a thank you.
Jimm,
Thanks for your comments about 5 Guys. They’re clearly doing a lot of things right as a company judging by how busy the stores are.
Ted,
I appreciate your support of the show. As you know, I ONLY recommend products and services that I’ve personally used and benefited from, so it concerns me to hear that you’re not happy about some who I’ve partnered with this year. Please email me privately and if there’s something I can do to resolve any outstanding issues, if it’s in my power to do it I’ll be glad to help.
Regards
Andrew
December 31st, 2008 at 11:42 pm
Andrew,
I’m so glad I discovered your show. I’m a new business owner, and need all the help I can get! I love that the shows are short, to the point and, oh yeah, are entertaining! You have a real gift of presenting what could be dry information and making it fun. I plan to share the show with my cousin, who is also a new business owner. Keep up the good work.
Sue
December 31st, 2008 at 11:50 pm
Hi Sue,
Welcome! I”m glad you joined the positive community that’s being built here. Most viewers of the show refuse to participate in the recession! They are creative with their marketing and as a result their businesses get attention.
Thank you for your kind words, and I look forward to helping you in 2009.
By the way, if you can remember, how did you hear about the show?
Regards
Andrew
January 1st, 2009 at 1:14 am
Thank you for all the good information. We will have to look for 5 guys burgers since we are in Utah as well, because of your endorsment. That shows that it works
Dan and Deanna “Marketing Unscrambled”
January 1st, 2009 at 2:43 am
Hey Andrew,
I have been watching and loving the show since day 1.
Something you said about the printing website brought up a question I have always had.
I am in charge of the online division of a registered training organization that provides people vocational training.
I have always wondered if we should make use of the IM model of creating a landing page where we offer a free resource e.g. a report on the most freely available jobs today and then try to sell them our various courses using the email newsletter.
I always thought that perhaps there might be separation between how great IMers like yourself, Yaro Starak and Stompernet sell when compared to folks outside of IM.
What are your thoughts?
January 1st, 2009 at 2:50 am
Hi Mwangi,
What works, works, regardless of the business. There’s no such thing as B2B or B2C - PEOPLE buy, not businesses! And people universally are influenced in the same general ways.
ANY business can benefit from giving away something of value to establish credibility and develop a relationship with potential customers.
Try it!
Regards
Andrew
January 1st, 2009 at 2:51 am
Cheers, Andrew thanks for the quick response
January 1st, 2009 at 7:47 am
Hey Locky,
Thanks for another great episode. The 99 Designs site is just what I am after at this time.
One question, when will you be doing the Florida Seminar in Sydney?! Sometime soon I hope!
Thanks for your great help in 2008, I know you will be even more successful in 2009.
Cheers
Tony
January 1st, 2009 at 10:55 pm
Wow, great advice on the website design and layout - I’ll be implementing a few or all of those ideas, as I noticed (unfortunately) that I have fallen victim to the same errors you reported on…dang!
On another note, I wanted to let you know that after watching last week’s episode, I updated firefox to the latest 2.0 version and also watched it on the lastest 3.0.5 version without error. It seemed to be a higher quality image, which was great - and, like I stated last time, there was an amazing amount of distraction removed when the ads were removed.
Thanks again and happy new year.
Dr. Scott
http://www.hilltopwellness.com
January 2nd, 2009 at 12:45 am
Tony,
I’d love to come to Sydney. Maybe Mal Emery will invite me this year
Dr Scott,
Thanks for your confession! We’ve all made the same mistake at some point I think. Also, thanks for your R&D on the Firefox front! We’re continually trying to improve the show, and I appreciate all your feedback, it’s very helpful.
Regards
Andrew
January 2nd, 2009 at 2:26 am
Ah ha, I finally get it! As common sense as it sounds I wasn’t adding the What’s In It For Me part to my site. I have to admit I chuckled when you said if your website has a Welcome to such and such…then take it off! I’m guilty but not for long. Thanks again for another entertaining and informative show.
January 2nd, 2009 at 2:31 am
Hi Michelle,
Ah ha! Another confession
Glad you’re fixing your site, let me know how it goes.
Andrew
January 4th, 2009 at 9:16 am
Excellent as always!
Great advices and resources. I follow the show every week.
Is it only for me or you alll see the videos like in “slo mo” with the new player? I mean only the video, the audio is perfect, but the image is slow as in a webcam.
Regards,
Alex Kei.
Dinero y Negocios
January 4th, 2009 at 9:29 pm
Nice centipede!
January 5th, 2009 at 8:27 am
Alex,
Glad to hear you’re a regular viewer! Re the sync issue, try reloading the page and make sure you’re using the latest version of the browser software (Firefx or IE).
Janet,
Er…..thanks……I think.
Regards
Andrew
January 6th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
Andrew, you are simply amazing. My schedule is so busy, I rarely have time to watch other people’s shows, especially if they are very long.
HOWEVER, you have made such an impression on me, I will definitely stop what I am doing to watch your episodes every week from now on. AND I will gladly share your show with my clients and members. Your show is filled with fabulous, quality content in an entertaining and enjoyable format.
January 6th, 2009 at 2:22 pm
Penny,
Thank you, that means a lot coming from you, especially with what you’ve accomplished in your business.
And thank you for sharing the show with your friends, I really hope the can benefit from it.
Andrew
January 7th, 2009 at 3:07 pm
Hi Andrew,
Another great show!
I wish I had known about the 99 Designs website earlier. My Dad spent $1,500 on a website not too long ago…and it was horrible. I told him he should have just burned the money…at least it would have kept him warm for a few minutes.
Also, for anybody that is considering attending one of Yanik Silver’s speaking engagments but is still on the fence…I highly recommend they make the decision to go.
I watched Yanik speak in person at a conference last November, and his information was awesome! Plus…he was a very friendly and down-to-earth person. He actually inspired me to change my business going forward so that a portion of all profits are donated to charity.
Just a great guy with a useful product…and well worth the money I invested.
Cheers.
Pete
Founder & Editor
http://www.TheHealthyMinute.com