Clutter: Are You a Major Contributor?

“Advertisements are now so numerous that they are very negligently perused, and it is therefore become necessary to gain attention by magnificence of promises, and by eloquence sometimes sublime and sometimes pathetic.” -- Samuel Johnson

The above quote, first written in 1759, gives us a clear indication that advertising or marketing "clutter" is not particularly new. However, some of the more modern day contributors and culprits may very well be. The rise of social media and its widespread availability has ushered in a new form of advertiser and marketer not seen or dealt with in the past. Who is it? It's you -- and it's me.

Going back to 2004, I can remember giving presentations stating the average consumer was being bombarded by more than 3,600 messages every day. While its accuracy can always be debated, I think we can agree it's a big number and it's only gotten bigger as the years have gone by.  But, I'm thinking the ever-increasing number of marketing messages may not be as significant to today's clutter factor as is the source of some of those messages -- you and me.

There is no doubt that technology has leveled the playing field for business owners, entrepreneurs, and self-employed professionals. With the help of the Internet and affordable software, it is now possible to run a multi-million dollar business out of our home with every bit of the sophistication, or at least the look, of yesterday's best brick and mortar businesses. The same technology has also given us access to social media channels and an individual reach potential that was not really accounted for in that modern era called 2004. In fact, Facebook was just launched that same year and would not become widely available until late 2006. 

So while advertising access was largely in the hands of the "professionals" and controlled through rather expensive media options, a new day was coming and with it a whole new breed of marketers, authors, publishers, gurus, and experts. In this new marriage of access and technology we were about to get our chance to do our own marketing, without editing, without review, and without restraint -- and we've been more than happy to make it happen -- for better and for worse.

In a January 2015 article, How to Break Through the Social Media Clutter, Travis Huff talks about the impact of social media and the necessity of effective marketing strategies and content. He says:

"Social media use is growing by leaps and bounds every day and popular networks like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter are among some of the most crowded corners of the internet. Let’s look at some stats:

●     Social media spam rose 355 percent in the first half of 2013

●     Between 5 and 11 percent of Facebook accounts are fake

●     Twitter adds 11 new accounts per second every day

●     YouTube users upload 48 hours of new video of every minute of each day

With so much happening so quickly on social media networks, is it even possible for brands to stand out and get noticed?"

With these stats and information in mind, I go back to the Samuel Johnson quote and his seemingly prophetic observation that "it is therefore become necessary to gain attention by magnificence of promises, and by eloquence sometimes sublime and sometimes pathetic.” With great power does indeed come great responsibility. While we all want to freely market and brand ourselves, our products, and our services, it is my hope that we will do all in our power to be a whole lot more sublime and a whole lot less pathetic in our efforts. For most of us, seeking the help of a qualified, proven, and professional marketer or marketing company is probably a good idea and I highly recommend it.

Advertising clutter is nothing new and will of course always exist, whether in the hands of the professional marketer or in the hands of the entrepreneurial beginner. The level to which it affects the marketplace and our customers and our prospects is largely up to us and the responsibility we take in learning to be as effective as possible. May we be magnificent and may we be eloquent in all our marketing pursuits.

Your comments and observations are most welcome.

4 Ways Your Smile Can Add Face Value

"A warm smile is the universal language of kindness" -- William Arthur Ward

Nothing can communicate happiness, energy, or enthusiasm quite like a smile. When we look at all the tools or weapons in our human relationship arsenal, none may be as effective, or as overlooked, as this warm and genuine curve of expression. We may be putting great effort into choosing just the right words or in conjuring just the right phrases to let people know how much we care and even our intent to serve. But, are we doing it with a smile on our face?

In one of my networking groups, we have a dentist who opens every 60 second introduction or commercial with the words; "smile, friends." What gives his words power is the genuine smile he wears before, during, and after. For that reason, Dr. Daniel Lipnik is one of my favorite people. He's also considered to be quite an inspiration to others -- and it all begins with his deliberate decision to smile.

So, what are some of the additional benefits of smiling and how can such a simple act add face value to our relationships and to our success? Let's look at these four:

1.      Smiling relieves stress. A study conducted by psychological scientists Tara Kraft and Sarah Pressman of the University of Kansas, suggests that "holding a smile on one's face during periods of stress may help the heart." It seems that in this age of technology and 24/7 access, the number of stressors and stressful situations are increasing -- and it doesn't seem likely that will change in the future. Heart health is and should be a major concern for all of us. The good news is the study also suggests that we don't have to necessarily be happy to reap the smile benefit. So, the next time we're stuck in traffic or staring down a long line, let's put a smile on our face and just "grin and bear it."

2.     Smiling is a universal language. A warm smile knows no language barrier and translates in any culture. Author Denis Waitley says: "A smile is the light in your window that tells others that there is a caring, sharing person inside." While language, customs, and gestures may indicate something different from culture to culture, a genuine smile is always universally recognized and welcomed. 

3.     Smiles are contagious. Have you ever tried to hold a frown in the presence of an enthusiastic smile? It's really hard to do. I can remember watching the old TV show, Make Me Laugh. There were many times when the comedian induced smiles and laughter without ever saying a word. Sometimes just a knowing and maybe slightly devious smile was all it took. I'm sure most of us want to be viewed as a positive influence in whatever situation we happen to be in. If we can't be witty, charming, or engaging, at least we can be smiley -- and that smile might just be the "bug" that room needs.

4.     Smiles can inspire action. Since a genuine smile can communicate happiness and enthusiasm, it can also motivate us to do something about it. We know that smiling attracts others and lets them see that extra spring in our step. We then become an example and even a source of energy to those around us. In other words, our smile may be saying and doing more to inspire others than anything that is coming out of our mouth. At the very least, our smile helps us set the tone for what we want to communicate and empowers our words and our efforts to influence the people around us.

A smile doesn't cost us a thing and it is something we can improve and develop the more we use it. We can make use of our smile even when we're talking on the phone. Since the person on the other end of the conversation cannot see our expression and has only the sound of our voice to work with, it is important that we communicate with enthusiasm and a warm friendly tone. A smile does that very thing.

Radio announcers are trained to smile whenever they are speaking into the microphone. It helps build goodwill with listeners and gives them the feeling the announcer is speaking specifically to them. As a former announcer, I can attest to the value of the "radio smile", even though I remember thinking I looked like an idiot as I caught my reflection on the studio glass. Still, I continued to practice my smile anytime I was on the air, and even did so in my mirror at home. I suggest you do the same.

It may feel foolish to see yourself smiling like the Cheshire Cat, but is an exercise that can improve your health, your relationships, and the size of your bank account.  The thought of accomplishing just those three things should justify the extra effort and definitely make you -- Smile!

Mistakes, Missteps, & Misunderstandings

""By seeking and blundering, we learn." Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

While it is our best intention to do right and to be right, we often fall short. Imperfections and frailties are part of the human experience. We are imperfect people living in an imperfect world. We make imperfect decisions and take imperfect actions. And sometimes, we just get it wrong -- and no one is immune.

Like the proverbial elephant in the room, failing to recognize and acknowledge our own inevitable shortcomings, only prolongs the pain and can short-circuit our desired success due to damaged relationships, mistrust, and uncertainty. Also like the COPD commercial in which the elephant is sitting on the chest of some unfortunate soul, these things can crush the life out of us and destroy our confidence --  or at the very least, render us ineffective. Isn't it time to ask the elephant to leave?

As we know failure is part of the growth process. However, it is one thing to know and another to apply this knowledge to our own situation, or to that of someone close to us. It is hard and it takes courage, humility, and a whole lot of patience. While there are probably numerous categories in which our failures can be revealed, I want to take a look at what I believe to be the top three.

Mistakes: Sometimes we make the wrong decision. The path we chose can simply be the wrong path for us. Although usually based on the best information we have at the time, at some point it becomes apparent a serious mistake has been made. Often our mistake comes as a result of carelessness, sloppy thinking and poor research. However it occurs, there comes a time when we have to face it and fix it -- and the longer we delay, the heavier the consequences. Fixing a mistake may involve swallowing our pride and asking for help or even forgiveness. Until we are either dead or totally incapacitated, nothing is unfix-able, but it may take a bit of time and effort to remove the eraser marks.

Missteps: We may be on the right path, but we may be taking some wrong turns or finding detours and distractions along the way. In this case, there is nothing wrong with the decision, only the execution on the planned route. This is where a true PDCA process is needed. Plan it, do it, check the result, and then make the adjustment. Most of us are fairly good at the planning stage and we may even have a good amount of do in us. However, if we're not checking the result and then making needed adjustments, the path becomes longer or veers off into an entirely different destination. It may appear we made a serious mistake, but it may be more a matter of tracing our steps and finding out where we went wrong. The PDCA process should be part of our road map with mile markers clearly identified as points of analysis.

Misunderstandings: Just the use of the word indicates we're probably talking about a communication problem -- either with ourselves or others. Most likely it is probably both. Our intentions, no matter how pure, can and will be misconstrued. We'll choose the wrong words, say the wrong thing, and even create confusion. Our emotions can get in the way and create a little bit of havoc in our relationships. People of great passion probably run this risk as well as people of great pride. We may have a great vision, but it means nothing if we can't clearly articulate it. We may be absolutely certain we are right, but what good will it do us if no one is there to see it come to fruition.

As a DISC certified behavioral consultant, I am the first to realize that people are different with different temperaments, learning preferences, and behavioral styles. As an imperfect human, I also forget and sometimes plow through as if everyone thinks and acts exactly like me. Painful, but true. Newsflash: We don't always know what's good for everyone, so let's stop dispensing our own brand of medicine.

Asking for clarification and forgiveness when necessary -- and it is probably more necessary than we think -- takes courage, humility and a loving heart. If we really care, we'll make our relationships and our communication a priority. If someone is asking your forgiveness and your restoration, I hope you'll have the same courage, humility, and love to accept and restore.

Today, I hope we can recognize the imperfect nature of ourselves and the imperfect nature of others. Let us be quick to change, quick to apologize, quick to forgive, quick to accept forgiveness, and quick to move to the door, open it, and ask the elephant to leave -- and never return. 

More personally, if I have failed you in any way, please forgive me and let us open the door to a new day, a new destination, and a new relationship.