The Gonzo Blog
Welcome to Notes from Beyond the Boxes.
The bulk of this blog is about marketing and branding; more specifically Gonzo-style marketing and branding. So if you’re looking for a blog on Icelandic poets from the 17th century you’ll have to look somewhere else. Similarly, if you’re looking for a stuffy agency using the latest “corp-speak” buzzwords you should hit your back button now. However, if you’re looking for marketing info you’ll find useful and fun to read, ways to trim your costs without sacrificing quality, and info to help you brand your business without breaking your bank account – stick around.
“Me Too” Is a Dangerous Marketing Strategy
As someone who eats, sleeps, and breathes marketing; there's a common tactic I see that just makes me cringe. I don't cringe because it's offensive or tasteless. I cringe because I know the business using it is on a dangerous path. The tactic I'm talking about is...
One Day, Seven Sessions, Hundreds of Answers
It’s no secret to anyone who knows me that I’m a total marketing geek. (I’m also a Star Trek freak and a Dr. Who nerd, but that’s another story.) Luckily I’m not the only Fort Worth marketing geek. This month I’m teaming up with some of my favorite co-geeks and our...
The Secret to Making Money at Tradeshows & Expos
People who attend an expo or tradeshow don’t usually plan to buy at the show. You probably won't leave the show with a fistful of cash, but exhibiting at a show gives you a unique opportunity to connect with your target audience because they’ve made a special trip to...
If You Don’t Know What To Do – How Will You Know If You’ve Done It?
When I teach my class on exhibiting at a show the lights come on in people’s eyes at different points in the presentation as they think of new ideas. But one concept seems to make all the student's eyes tell me, "I never thought of that" in unison, and it happens at...
It Doesn’t Have to Say “Buy Now” to Get You to Buy Now
This picture was part of a hanger attached to my front door today. Before it went to the recycle bin I thought I would use it point out some neuromarketing you might not know about. Notice the part that says, “Just in time for back-to-school shopping.” We see these...
There’s More To Your Brand Than Meets The Eye
When it comes to branding your business your first thought is probably about your logo, your business cards, and the visual elements you use to identity your business. While our sense of sight is important and visual images are memorable – there is more to your brand...
It’s Not Just What They Buy, It’s Why They Buy
I started Gonzo Strategies with the idea that everything I do for my clients would be done with neuromarketing in mind. This was a new concept for Fort Worth so I often had to answer the question, "What is neuromarketing?" Before I tell you what Neuromarketing is, I...
Going Gaga for her Strategic Branding
It’s happened to all of us. We hear a song we like, but we don’t know who sings it so we don’t know how to find it and buy it. One pop artist has a clever way of making sure you know who sings her songs and you remember who the artist is every time you hear it. Love...
The Mirror Doesn’t Always Reflect What We Want It To
Last time I told you a light-hearted story about how mirror neurons and the Magic Mirror Principle led to a simple case of buyer’s remorse. As a marketer I cautioned you to be careful when you use the mirror to reach your audience, and told you how the mirror can be...
Mirror, Mirror in the Ad, If I Buy This I Won’t Feed Bad
In the world of neuromarketing, we talk about mirror neurons and something I call “The Magic Mirror Principle”. When this principle is used, it tells us we can be the type of person shown or discussed in the marketing piece, if only we’ll buy this product or use this...