by Kirby Hasseman
Working from home is not a new phenomenon for many people around the country. But with government officials and medical experts telling Americans to stay home, it has a bit of a different feel. There is a difference (for most of us) that we are allowed to work from home and we have to work from home. This is why we posted this blog about free tools for working remote AND we asked our remote team for tips on how to be productive at home. As a leader in an organization, we want to make sure our team members that work from home not only are able to do their work, but that they still feel very much a part of the team. We want to keep the sense of team and culture, and do our best to keep morale high during these stressful times. That is why at Hasseman Marketing, we think you should create a “work from home” kit. While we can certainly create this as a kit, just understand these are just a few branded pieces that might help to team build a bit during this stressful time.
Webcam Blocker
Nearly every laptop has a web cam now, and it’s critical for online meetings. On the other hand, it can be a way you can be hacked and spied on. Give your team some peace of mind with this inexpensive piece.
Mic Blocker
The same concern can be true with our mic. Want to make sure people are not listening in on your conversations? You can keep that from happening with this simple branded piece.
Water Tumbler
Help keep the members of your team hydrated and healthy. This cool drinkware piece is a great size and has the double wall vacuum style that keeps coffee hot and water ice cold. This is the perfect piece to have with you all of the time. We did this in our recent Brand Box and the response was super good.
Sticky Note Jotter
Another piece that got a ton of positive feedback in the recent Brand Box was this Jotter. It’s a great piece to keep beside the phone or your desk so you can take quick notes during that Zoom call. It’s one of those pieces that can be used every day.
Mission Pack
Finally, if you want something to put all of these items in, and to be a great and functional branding piece, once the crisis has passed, I love the Mission Pack. This is a stylish backpack that your team can use when they are “working remotely” for years. I even did a video about this a few weeks ago…you can check it out here. These are just a few items that can help you keep the team feeling productive and together while they work remotely. Like I said, this is just a blog to get you thinking. We can gladly help you create a kit for yourself. Please contact us if you have any questions about putting a kit like this together for your team. P.S. This is also a great kit to use when you bring on new team members to make sure they get a dose of your culture and brand when they walk in the door! Thanks for reading and engaging. We will keep the content coming. Just make sure to check in on our blog each day for more!
by Kirby Hasseman
With the hysteria surrounding the Coronavirus, it is hard not to be a bit scared and even frustrated. On the one hand, I want to be cautious, informed and smart about the choices I make. I don’t want to be infected, obviously. And I don’t want to be the reason the disease spreads unnecessarily, either! On the other hand, the speed of the virus and the reporting around the disease has caused many to panic and many people are starting to blame the media for blowing this out of proportion.
I, for one, have certainly been frustrated with some of the sensationalistic nature of the journalism. Dr. Drew has made his opinion known on the subject. The challenge though, is over the past few years, it has become the norm to blame the media for nearly everything. But when we talk about “the media,” what do we really mean? Who are we really talking about. The challenge here is that the definition of the media has changed. So we need to know what “media” we are blaming in the first place. So here are a few distinctions that I think are worth understanding.
National News Media
When people blame “the media” for all of the frustration around the coronavirus, or the latest overhyped story, I think we often lay the blame at the feet of the national news media. My sense is, we feel these are large organizations that are not personal to us, so it’s easy to blame them for pumping up all “negative news stories.” Some of this blame is fair. The reality of it is, if a news show wants to be watched, it is forced to run stories that draw eyeballs. While we as people SAY we want positive, heartwarming stories about triumph and inspiration, the numbers tell a different story. We tune in for the hurricanes, the wars and the virus outbreaks. So while the National News Media can certainly be a part of the problem, I think most of the news media (and that is an important distinction, as I will explain) work hard to just report the news.
Local News Media
Most of the people I know who work in local news media are professional and hard working. They sincerely want to represent their local area to the best of their ability. But local news media runs into the same problem that the national news has…the people. What we say we want to watch, and what we tune in for are two different things. Each local station needs to perform and is in competition with not only local competitors, but also every other form of entertainment. That is why I struggle to watch most local news television programming. I am not interested in seeing a fire, followed by a shooting, followed by a stabbing, etc. These are news stories for sure. But I don’t feel they end up being an accurate representation of the area.
Opinion Media
To me, this is where the real confusion, and challenge begins. Opinion Media are those shows on all “news” channels that talk about the news, but absolutely DO have an opinion and a bias. Regardless of your politics, Opinion Media is on both sides. This is where the line really starts to blur between what is fact and opinion.
Fake News Media
Despite the fact that I hate it when leaders shout “Fake News” when someone reports something they don’t like, Fake News is an actual thing. Many of us know, there are many websites that have been created by both sides of the political spectrum designed to look like real media, but are not. These are the lowest form of any media because they are designed to manipulate and lie. These websites create narratives that some people from both sides of the political spectrum want to believe. So, armed with an article that says what they way, they share away without fact checking or common sense.
Social Media
Which leads nicely to Social Media. We have all become a member of “the Media” we say we are frustrated with. So much of what is sensationalistic or untrue is actually being shared, or even reported, by our friends. Social media is wonderful when it is used to share insight into our own lives. But more and more people are getting a large chunk of their “news” from their feed on Facebook. If that’s the case, then each of us needs to take responsibility for what we are sharing. The great thing is that now, everyone has a voice. The bad new is, not everyone deserves it.
So while there is plenty of blame to go around about the “media” overblowing the latest crisis (whatever that is), just make sure we all look in the mirror. They are the media. But so are we.
Thanks for reading! Make sure you never miss an update. Head to our blog page to find videos, blogs and podcasts here.
by Kirby Hasseman
As the news about the Coronavirus has changed, developed and exploded over the last week in the U.S., it has been hard to escape. There has been panic buying, mixed information, quarantines and lots of shouting! And while there have been some nice gestures from individuals, for the most part it feels like this virus is making us drown in negativity (especially online).
That’s why now is really good time to consider creating a policy of “Giving Out Joy.” Whether as an individual, or an organization, we have the opportunity to stand out in a very crowded landscape. This is not to say that we do not educate ourselves on the very real threats in the world. It’s about understanding them, and being an island of inspiration anyway.
Here is an excerpt from my recent book “The Give First Economy,” that feels even more true now than when I wrote it.
Give Out Joy
Some days it feels like the world is drowning in negativity. Studies will tell you that 89% of what you see every day is negative. Whether it is through the media, social media or even in the 3D world, everyone seems to be frustrated or complaining.
And don’t just blame the media. That’s lazy. The fact is, most days CNN is not who is filling up my Facebook feed with bitching. It’s us. It’s you. Don’t get me wrong, the media helps fuel this fire, but they are not the only ones throwing logs on it. We all have a share of the blame.
The great thing about social media is that everyone has a voice. The bad thing is…everyone has a voice. As you turn on your device, it seems half the people posting are snarky trolls and the other half create a new reason to play the victim every day. Negativity is all around us.
Once we understand that, the question is obvious. What do we do about it?
The answer is simple (but not always easy) …Give Out Joy.
In a world where nearly 90% of what we see is negative, most people are hungering for something different. We are looking for someone to shine a light on good things. We are looking for inspiration. And the reality is, when you push out good and joy into the world, we stand out in a crowded marketing place.
When we are creating a business, an organization or a personal brand, we are always trying to prove to the market place we are better. But as Mike Michaelowicz says (author of Profit First, Pumpkin Plan and many other great business books),
“In the minds of our customers, better is not better. Different is better.”
The fact is, when seemingly everything we see in the world is negative, a positive person (or brand) can be a shining light. It stands out. So by giving out joy, creating joy and spreading joy, you start to stand out in the marketplace.
Now you might be thinking, “Great. But I am already a positive person!” My guess is, you are not as positive as you think. (Sorry to be negative). The fact is, as humans, we are not great at self-auditing. That’s why surveys will tell you that MOST people think they are an above average driver. The math tells you that’s not true.
So how do we know if we are positive or negative?
Let’s start with a simple exercise.
This is something I have done is sessions I give all over the U.S. I start with a simple question.
How many of you know someone that is constantly negative on social media? They are always complaining. As I say “They are pissed off if they can’t find something to be mad about?” This always elicits some chuckles as everyone in the raises their hands. Everyone knows this guy or gal.
Then I follow up with another simple question.
“How many of you ARE that person?”
Silence. No hands. People start to look around the room and small uncomfortable laughs start as they realize the joke.
Then the punchline comes as I say, “I have given this talk all over the country and I have never met the one jerk that is filling up all of our Facebook feeds!”
No one thinks it’s them. As I said, we are not great at self-auditing. We don’t think we are being negative. We think we “are just venting.” We might even think we are being funny. But we, generally, don’t think we could possibly perceived as a negative person.
Let’s go to the tape!
Go to your Facebook feed (or your social media outlet of choice) and look at the last 10 posts. Be introspective. Think about how they might be looked at from the outside world. Now, if 4 or more of those posts could be perceived as negative (and that’s not up to you, right?), you are likely thought of as a negative person by many of the people that follow you.
Oh…and here’s the caveat. Political posts and religious posts can be viewed as negative.
We all have that “crazy uncle” that posts on their favorite social media platform about 9 times a day outlining why the current U.S. President is a criminal. Sure…those people are easy to spot. But what about you? What do your posts look like?
The push back I sometimes get when I am speaking has to do with “religious” posts. What do I mean by that? I am not suggesting you should not celebrate your faith. I am suggesting that tone matters. Consider it.
On the other hand, you really should be authentic. You should not just change your personality to fit what people want. I don’t think you should and I am not suggesting that. If you WANT to post political rants, that’s your call. What I AM saying is you should be intentional. Most people just sort of randomly post and share without any real thought as to how they are perceived by the outside world.
I do think you should be intentional about it. And, if you want to stand out and make a difference, and create a personal brand that people want to follow in the Give First Economy, I think you should consider intentionally being joyful.
Where to Start
If you like the idea of pushing out more joy but are wondering where to start, here are a few ideas. Use these as a jumping off point and run with it!
Share Joyful News: This doesn’t have to just be about the highlight reel of your life. Seek out good things in your community and share them! Look for good things in your organization or relationships and give them a shout out! It will not only be a great and joyful noise coming from you, but it will make them feel good too!
Create Uplifting Content: If you are so inclined, write blogs that help to uplift. Create Instagram posts designed to admire. Edit a video together where you interview people doing good in your industry. Shining a light on the good in the world can always be a great place to start.
Give Compliments: We will talk more about this in the next chapter, but make it a point to give people praise.
Smile: Want a funny exercise? The next time you drop your kid off at school (or drive to any public place), take the time to look at the faces of the other drivers. Wow. You will see a LOT of grumpy faces! Take the time to give people your smile. It’s funny…you will see people give it back.
There are plenty of ways to give out joy…and it’s more important than ever. Please consider spreading that joy today. Oh, and if you want more content like this, please check out our blog page here. And you can find my book “The Give First Economy” here on Amazon.
by Kirby Hasseman
At Hasseman Marketing, we are proud of the team that helps us “Deliver Marketing Joy” each and every day. So we wanted to introduce you to some of our peeps with our series we call “Brand-ecdotes.” Today we get to meet Jeff Wickerham.
What is something fun that not everyone knows about you?
I absolutely love smoking meat. My specialty is smoked salmon…served with crackers, cream cheese, and chopped onions. Delicious!!! I drive a car with 321,000 miles! AND…I’ve written over 1,300 blogs!
What is your all-time favorite Promotional Product and why?
My all-time favorite promotional product is the custom sticker. I have collected stickers from every place our family has visited and put them on my refrigerator. I also put stickers of brands I love, on my water bottles and MacBook. Stickers are a great addition to put into packages, cards, and anything mailed.
What is the current product you use all the time?
Every single day, I use the El Dorado Roll Top Backpack. I love the style/look of the backpack and it is super functional: roll top, side pockets, side zip entry, and water resistant. I take it to meetings, to the coffee shop, to my office, on vacation, as a diaper bag, and on and on!
What is a company or brand that you admire and why?
The Apple brand is one I absolutely admire. Their product is not only top-notch, they deliver it in a way which makes me feel good. Whenever I open a new phone/computer/accessory, I always feel like I am getting a special gift. I have two phone boxes in my closet I just can’t get to the point of throwing them away. That is staying power!
What is your favorite part of “Delivering Marketing Joy?”
When I can drop off an order, I love seeing the look on someone’s face when they open up their product. It isn’t just the product though…it is the process from start to finish. Providing ideas, the process of ordering, delivering, and following up to make sure everything was exactly the way my customer wanted!
At Hasseman Marketing, we love our team. Want to learn more about us? Head to our About Us page here. And of course if you want to read more content, please head to our blog page here.
by Kirby Hasseman
I got a frantic text from one of my best clients just the other day.
“Can you meet me today or tomorrow?” she asked. “One of our events got cancelled and we need to do something quickly.”
To most of us, this is an all too familiar story. With the Coronavirus scare, conferences, meetings, festivals, sporting events and even small gatherings are being cancelled left and right. It is most likely the right thing to do for public safety, but it is wreaking havoc with businesses.
For businesses, these events and conferences are a chance to create relationships, form bonds, network, educate and, ultimately, sell. We host and attend these events because they give us something that emails, phone calls and even social media can’t. They represent true connection. These events can help to create brand affinity and growth.
During this time, when events are being cancelled at record rates, branded merchandise can help fill this gap.
“We had an event scheduled to welcome students who had committed to come to our university. We need a Brand Box, like you sent us,” she told me. “Cancelling the event is a bummer, but we are excited about this!”
As it turns out, Hasseman Marketing recently decided to send some of our top clients what we called a “Brand Box.” This box of Marketing Joy consisted of a very nice t-shirt, vacuum water bottle, a charging lanyard, lip balm, a pen and more. The items had the message “Be Kind. Give First. Work Hard. Repeat.” We curated the products with the idea of spreading some joy and to say “thank you” to our clients and prospects. It definitely helped us do that. And, as some of our clients have realized, this use of branded merchandise has created a brand affinity for Hasseman Marketing that they want to create with their clients and prospects.
My guess is, your company or organization has already been affected by the cancellation of events. If you haven’t, you will be. So what do you do? Instead of lamenting on social media and complaining to family and friends, I suggest you take a pro-active approach and take the #marketingjoy to your customers.
What will taking an approach like this do for you or your brand?
Surprise and Delight
Done right, a marketing box of joy like this will surprise and delight your customers or prospects. We don’t get a lot of mail these days that delight. This has a chance to turn the relationship upside down…in a good way! And because most of your competitors are not going to want to invest in this way, it will surely separate you and your brand.
Creates Brand Affinity
When you surprise and delight, you bring joy. And when you bring joy to your customers, especially in times of stress and need, you vault yourself to the top of their list. They don’t HAVE to do business with you…they want to!
Creates Long Term Value
Finally, if you select quality branded merchandise that will be used for a long time, you create marketing that works to further your story each and every day. Though everyone has to be conscious of budget, this is not the time to hand out new items that will end up in a landfill. Select items that create long term value to the customer, and you will create long term value to your brand.
I think we all would agree that we hope the Coronavirus quickly becomes a thing of the past. But in the meantime, officials are being rightly cautious. So while event after event continues to be cancelled, we can still create marketing and relationships that matter. Promotional products and branded merchandise continues to be the only marketing you you create where your customers will thank you. This is the time to leverage that tool to go on offense during these strange times.
For more information on how to create a Brand Box like ours, please contact us. You can reach out and email us at [email protected]…or you can head to our Promo page and find out more.
by Kirby Hasseman
At Hasseman Marketing, we are proud of the team that helps us “Deliver Marketing Joy” each and every day. So we wanted to introduce you to some of our peeps with our series we call “Brand-ecdotes.” Today we get to meet Kelly Bowe!
What is something fun that not everyone knows about you?
Hmmm…something fun that not everyone knows about me? I am a Nationally Certified Medical Assistant and Phlebotomist.
What is your all-time favorite Promotional Product and why?
I think my favorite product would be the Viking Tumbler from Crown. I use this every day. It has the same high quality as a Yeti tumbler at a small fraction of the cost.
What is the current product you use all the time?
Silicone Square Spoon from Bay State. I did a self-promo of these and my clients keep asking for more. I use mine every day while cooking and baking. This is a high quality item that will last for years.
What is a company or brand that you admire and why?
Showdown Displays. This supplier goes over and above to help our clients and are always doing top quality work. Javier is wonderful to work with every time. My clients will comment that their product is even better than they imagined.
What is your favorite part of “Delivering Marketing Joy?”
I have met so many wonderful people through my work and have acquired many true friends. I will carry these friendships on throughout my life.
Thanks so much to Kelly Bowe for taking part in Brand-ecdotes. At Hasseman Marketing, we love our team. Want to learn more about us? Head to our About Us page here.
