BrainSlam Session Produces Rapport, New Ideas
The SIPA Marketing Conference took place a month ago, but many sessions still resonate. One in particular, the BrainSlam, took that normally dormant after-lunch session and turned it into a strong, team-building exercise. Roundtables took on an industry question and deliberated for about 40 minutes to come up with solutions. Some questions were: How do you make money at Twitter? How do you increase attendance at events? What are the best ways to work with IT? How do you maximize subscriber retention? What are the best ways to get new testimonials? What are your best subject lines?
It was the second year in a row that SIPA has tried a new wrinkle in this slot. If you are putting on a conference or full-day symposium, you may want to try something similar. It builds rapport between attendees, keeps them involved after lunch, generates meaningful discussion and can lead to interesting responses. Here are a few of the “solutions” that teams came up with:
– sell tweets like the Kardashians;
– get IT’s buy-in at the beginning of a project (to foster cooperation throughout);
– best subject lines: “Want to stay out of jail? Do this.” “This is not a Christmas gift.” “Oops, we goofed.” (We like others’ misery, I guess). “Abandoned shopping cart—did you forget something?” “Do you know about these hot investments for 2012?”
– (on maximizing subscriber retention) be flexible—allow customers to switch into another product; give customers a call from a service rep—it often helps to speak to someone live.
– ask subscribers to be part of an advisory committee—you want their input; change your storyline to better reflect the new world we live in.
– (on working with IT) compliment the key players; bring them treats and caffeinated beverages.
– run a contest for those who tweet about something new.
– (to build attendance at an event) co-locate it with another successful event—maybe a golf tournament. Sign up for a conference and you may get a free iPad. Post videos of last year’s and this year’s speakers.
– expand the definition of your audience—discounts for first-timers;
– conduct a blogger-oriented marketing campaign; give them discount codes so you know where your signups are coming from.
– (to get new testimonials) at your conference, those who meet us in the hallway to tape video testimonials will be entered to win a new Kindle.
– a roaming video at a cocktail party;
– a contest with the sales team—most testimonials obtained win dinners.
– best envelope teaser: “Don’t open this envelope under any circumstances.” “Who’s Ron Wayne?” (the guy who helped found Apple but gave up his share for $2300).
– get advertisers to sponsor mobile alerts and an app;
– we have a special offer for our Twitter followers;
– (on how to get editorial to work with marketing) have editorial report to marketing (from a marketing team, of course). Make marketing goals part of editorial’s job description.
– give IT a seat at the table;
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Tune in shortly for
SIPA’s Weekly Twitter Chat
Today’s subject: Monetizing your content
Learn new ideas and get your questions answered
Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2012, 12 p.m. EST
using the hashtag #NicheInfo
If you don’t already have a Twitter chat client,
we recommend TweetChat.com.
Once you are on their site,
simply log in through your Twitter account,
type in the hashtag #NicheInfo, and you’re set!
See you soon on Twitter!
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