Charles Gupton

Archives for October 2008

Keeping an Ear to the Pulse

I just read a great example of using social media for marketing in a constructive and relevant way. In this Adweek.com story, the developers of Bacon Salt – a spice that makes everything taste like bacon – explainadweek1 how they used social media platforms to generate buzz before a product was even ready to sell. But the take-away message for me was not so much that they generated buzz, but how they handled it.

In her book “Marketing to Women,” Marti Barletta emphasizes that when marketers speak to the needs of women, the bar is raised for men as well. And although women are generally willing to express it more than men, what is one of the most important needs all people have? To be listened to, to be heard. Apparently Justin Esch and Dave Lefkow have learned and responded to that need and succeeded through the process. Like all relationships, time committed and genuine interest are more important than money spent trying for a quick result. Having a product that generates good buzz doesn’t hurt. But the key to growth is handling that buzz in a thoughtful manner.

Could it be that financially tight times could lead to better service and listening to buyers needs?

Charles Gupton
http://www.charlesguptonphoto.com

Competition vs. Winning

081026_tennis
My doubles partner, Art.

I enjoy playing tennis. I have a standing date every Sunday afternoon with a group of regulars to play doubles. What I enjoy most is the competition to play my best, even more than winning. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy winning. But I’d rather play my best game and lose a set than play wimpy and win. Although there are different guys who show up each week, there are certain combinations of players that are going to make me rise up and play my best. Those are my favorite days.

It’s the same with my work. I love the jobs that make me a little uncertain of what I’m going to encounter on a location when I arrive. What are the challenges of communicating the message I have to convey for my client? They force me to rise to the occasion, to be “on game.” I enjoy looking for the best image, not just the first one we find. Getting a solid, safe photo can be considered a “win,” but getting a tougher image that better conveys a client’s message pushes me in a more satisfying way.

What pushes you to be your best?

Charles

http://www.charlesguptonphoto.com

You Can be Happy

As a kid, I liked silly songs. Not much has changed really. But when I first heard Roger Miller’s songs, I was hooked. One of my favorites was, “You Can’t Rollerskate in a Buffalo Herd.” As silly as the lyrics may be, the last line of each verse and the chorus are something I have to remember every day. Especially these days, when the news at every turn is less than encouraging for most. The lines are, “…you can be happy if you’ve a mind to. All you gotta do, is put your mind to it. Knuckle down, buckle down, do it, do it, do it.” (The full version follows for your amusement below.)

I find that I don’t so much make myself happy as I decide to do a series of tasks that allow me, by taking action, to feel good in the doing. Of course, it’s easy to confuse activity with accomplishment. But I try to make sure that in my list of “to be done today” are only items which take me toward the goals I set for serving my clients and moving my life in a direction that is positive. I seldom watch TV and although I read two papers most days, I try to focus my attention on stories that feed me useful information I can act upon. Worrying about matters that are outside of my circle of influence is pointless.

Some of the things I might do which take me towards my objectives each day include: reading from several good books over my morning cup of coffee before I go to my desk; reading from several good blogs (such as Seth Godin’s) before I even check e-mail; or send an interesting link to a client and/or send a postcard to a prospective client whose work I admire. These are all things I can control. These are all things I must put my mind to. But they’re not that hard to “knuckle down, buckle down to do it, do it, do it.” And I find I’m a lot closer to being happy than if I’d listened to the prophets of doom.

How do you keep yourself happy?

Charles
www.charlesguptonphoto.com

YOU CAN’T ROLLERSKATE IN A BUFFALO HERD
Roger Miller

You can’t roller skate in a buffalo herd
You can’t roller skate in a buffalo herd
You can’t roller skate in a buffalo herd
But you can be happy if you’ve a mind to

You can’t take a shower in a parakeet cage
You can’t take a shower in a parakeet cage
You can’t take a shower in a parakeet cage
But you can be happy if you’ve a mind to

All you gotta do, is put your mind to it
Knuckle down, buckle down, do it, do it, do it

Well you can’t go swimmin’ in a baseball pool
You can’t go swimmin’ in a baseball pool
You can’t go swimmin’ in a baseball pool
But you can be happy if you’ve a mind to

You can’t change film with a kid on your back (chain-swim)
You can’t change film with a kid on your back
You can’t change film with a kid on your back
But you can be happy if you’ve a mind to

You can’t drive around with a tiger in your car
You can’t drive around with a tiger in your car
You can’t drive around with a tiger in your car
But you can be happy if you’ve a mind to

All you gotta do, is put your mind to it
Knuckle down, buckle down, do it, do it, do it

Well you can’t roller skate in a buffalo herd
You can’t roller skate in a buffalo herd
You can’t roller skate in a buffalo herd
But you can be happy if you’ve a mind to

You can’t go fishin’ in a watermelon patch
You can’t go fishin’ in a watermelon patch
You can’t go fishin’ in a watermelon patch
But you can be happy if you’ve a mind to