by Kirby Hasseman
Things go wrong. It’s unfortunate. But it’s reality. Despite a great idea, good execution and the best of intentions, there are times when things just don’t go as planned. You lost the sale. Your company failed. You let the opportunity go. Whatever. It happens. But what do you do then? I think the common reaction is to protect…to go on defense. It’s the reaction where you justify the failure and to protect your ego and your brain. This is the depressive state where you huddle up on your office, or your home, or your safe place and you avoid the outside world. This a natural and very human reaction. And for a time, it might be necessary. But it’s not productive. Once we can, the better reaction is to go on offense. This reaction attacks the problem and tries to fix it or learn from it. Lost the sale? Okay…but why? What could I have done better? Can it still be saved? What do I need to do? What can I control? When things are slow in sales, what do you do? Do you wait for the phone to ring? Or do you, like a lot of people, create “busy work” that will make it look like you are being proactive, but really keep you from being uncomfortable? I have done that. And while we are there, we can convince ourselves we are busy. But it’s not really offense. If you are at that crossroads this morning (as many of us are), it’s time to make a choice. Make a list of the things you know you need to do. This is a list of the things that make you uncomfortable…but could help you succeed. Now go do those. As Jocko Willink, former Navy Seal and author of Extreme Ownership, would say, “You have a problem….Good.” 
Things went wrong. But today is a new day. Now…go on offense. Make sure you never miss your motivation and inspiration. Sign up for our VIP Newsletter here. And as always, you can always shop online for great promotional gifts for your team here.
by Kirby Hasseman
The Delivering Marketing Joy Podcast is back! Our goal here is to attack 2018 with a vengeance! The Delivering Marketing Joy Podcast will provide some inspiration, motivation and education to make it happen! Consider this your 10 minute “kick in the pants” to get your week started off right!
This week on the podcast I talk about a few people that I admire. These are people who are very publicly chasing a dream that might not work. Everyone loves to celebrate the person on the stage with the award. But to get there, you have to have the courage to go for it…when it might not succeed. Here are a few people that are doing that right now…and I love it.
As I said, I admire them. If you want to admire them too…find them here.
Tyler Smilo: As I mentioned, Tyler is a musician that is originally from Coshocton. Now he travels around and plays all over. He is great. Here is his Facebook page.
Co-Lab: Here is a page that will be very interesting if you are in the Promo Industry. These two supplier companies are working together to create a better experience for distributors and customers. Learn more here.
Tanner Ward: Tanner is a fisherman (who happens to date my daughter). This past weekend he fished at the College Bassmasters National Tournament. He made the final day…by himself. Here is his facebook page. Now we need to get this boy some sponsors. 🙂
Each of these people are chasing something that might not work. That is where the magic happens. It’s the courage to step out and make it happen.
That wraps up the message from the DMJ Podcast today. Please make sure you subscribe the DMJ Podcast in iTunes, Soundcloud or wherever you listen. Oh…and make sure you never miss an update! Sign up for our VIP newsletter here!
by Kirby Hasseman
I struggle with FOMO. There…I said it. Like just about everyone else I know, I spend summer looking at social media and seeing everyone else’s perfect vacations, exciting trips, and exhilarating lives! Wow…they really do have it great! Why can’t I take more trips like that? And for me, it’s not just vacations. Because I am a nerd about work, I also have FOMO when I see people in my industry jet-setting around the country to different events. They are learning and networking and growing…and I am mowing the lawn. FOMO at it’s finest. That’s why I was really intrigued when I came across this headline on Linkedin.
JOMO is the new FOMO
Instead of living in perpetual fear of missing out, many are embracing a new approach to our always-on, tech-dependent lives. They are taking the time to tune out. Call it JOMO, or the joy of missing out.
As this article in the New York Times explains, the new JOMO is a way to explain the “Joy of Missing Out.” There is a mounting fear among many (and I am among them) that we are becoming way too reliant on our mobile devices to entertain us. Every time there is ANY type of downtime in our lives, we turn to the phone. We don’t look around and talk to the people around us (ick). We don’t pause and consider the cosmos. We don’t meditate. We mindlessly scroll through our social feed. We all do it. I do it too. It is (very literally) addictive. Every time we get a notification or a new update in the feed, we get a boost of dopamine. It’s the same chemical that is released in our body when we use alcohol or gamble. Now let’s be clear. This is not a “get off my lawn” moment. I believe there is way more good than harm from being more connected. But on the other side, it’s also important to remember that these tools were designed to make us feel more connected…not the other way around. So on this Sunday it might be time to discover the power of JOMO. Disconnect. Go for a walk. Meditate. Go for a run. Walk your dog. Talk to your kid. Who knows? Maybe when someone sees you, they will feel like they are “missing out” on your adventures. Make sure you never “miss out” on any of the content we are creating! Sign up for our VIP newsletter today! Once a week, we email you with all of the content we create during the week. Sign up here.
by Kirby Hasseman
Win the argument. It seems like all anyone wants to do these days is “win the argument.” We all want to be right. Anyone that knows me, knows that I struggle with this. I have opinions on things (some I have even given real thought too), and feel like my perspective is the right one. I even talked a little about my need to be right here recently. The thing is, most of the time in life, it’s not about winning the argument. It’s about creating a level of influence. We want people to move in the direction we would like. It’s not about brow beating them to our way of thinking. It’s about guiding them. So here are a few ways to better influence. Never Insult Them: This is probably the biggest trend I see today. It’s most prevalent on social media, but it bleeds over. We are so sure that our perspective is the right one, we assume anyone that believes the other way is an idiot or (worse yet) evil. So we tell them so! Remember, no one finds you, or your way of thinking smarter if you call them names. Listen To Them: If you want to be heard, you first need to hear. When people feel safe to share their opinions with you, they are much more likely to let you do the same. It also gives you the ability to say “I gave you the chance to give your perspective…will you give me the same?” Validate Them: It’s important to let people know that you respect them. You may disagree, but that doesn’t make them a bad person. There is value in you letting them know that. And here’s a bonus one. Consider their perspective. If this a person you feel compelled to change…you probably respect them. If that’s the case, it might be important to consider you might be wrong. The ultimate show of respect and maturity is to admit that you are wrong. (Oh…and I talked about that here). Just a thought. Thanks for listening and considering! We are working to post value to you each day! Make sure you never miss an update or a post. Sign up for our VIP newsletter here. And as alway, you can check out products for your next promo campaign here.
by Kirby Hasseman
It is really hard to admit when you are wrong. Really hard. In almost every situation, it’s tough to swallow the pride (in whatever the decision) and say it out loud. “I was wrong.” That’s why most people try not to do it. It’s so uncomfortable that many people will cling to incorrect assumptions forever. They will work to find new, and often creative, ways to look at the information a different way to tell themselves a different story. And the longer we cling to our truth, the harder it is to abandon it. That truth could be political. That truth could be about people in your life (both good and bad). The truth could be about a project you are working on. In any event, the sooner you get to the real story, the better and happier we will be. That’s why I admire people who change their mind. This is not a weakness. It’s a strength. It takes wisdom to be hard on our own opinions. That’s why most people don’t do it. It takes courage to publicly change your mind. It takes strength to say we failed. But the sooner we can let go of things that don’t serve us, the sooner we can grow. And here’s the thing: In the moment, admitting our failure feels like a weakness. But in the eyes of those around you (at least the strong ones) it is recognized as a position of power. Good people respect a person that can admit they missed the mark. There is just one caveat, of course. You have to learn from it. No one needs someone who just runs around making the same mistakes over and over. If you were wrong, take a step back. Learn from it. Grow. Then you will find it’s easier to admit it the next time. Never miss an update! Sign up for our VIP newsletter here!
by Kirby Hasseman
Welcome to a super awesome blog post series for Hasseman Marketing called:
“Brand-ecdotes!”
Each week we will talk to a branding all star about what make the Promotional Product advertising media so special!
This week we talk to Commonsku’s Chief Content Officer Bobby Lehew! Bobby is a gifted promo ambassador and amazing content creator! Today we get to get into the head of Bobby…and learn more about SWAG!
What is your all-time favorite Promotional Product and why? Journals. Journals are tactile, they appeal to our senses, and just as the Russian poet Pasternak said that “a book is a living being,” a journal can serve as a living reminder of the essence of our days. Much of what we work in now (email, social media) is digital, ephemeral. Journals are waypoints and reminders. In the pic are three journals I use and love, each serves a unique purpose. The felt journal (pictured on top of the books) is a design from the creative brain of Isaac Childs and the artisans at Rustico. Their attention to detail is what transforms a journal from a utilitarian notepad to a work of art. I use this one to keep notes for a Buddhism class I’ve been attending at the local monastery. Writing in a separate journal, for different experiences, fixes my mind in that framework, a quick way to give your ideas and thoughts context. 
The skubot leather journal was one of the few journals I’ve ever had that I wore completely out, a gift from our friends at Snugz. I love the suppleness of the leather and the accents and it’s the perfect size to carry anywhere. I use it mostly for notes about what I’m reading or random thoughts. The tan journal beneath it is a gift from Pierre and his team at Chameleon Like, a “Travelite” journal, I’ve enjoyed writing in it, the paper is a unique fabric material, luxurious to write on, and the cover is vegan leather, the thinness of it means I can throw it in my bag without bulk; I use it for business notes. Another fave: matchbooks. I have always loved matchbooks. Matchbooks are mini-canvases. In the pic are a few I’ve picked up, one from a local restaurant, the design reflects the vibe of their retro bar, the perfect product for a throwback experience. I’ll go to R&J’s to get a drink when I run out of matchbooks. How’s that for leveraging a promotional product to bring in customers? Also pictured is a matchbook I picked up while visiting Nick Fouquet’s hat studio in Venice Beach. I had to have that matchbook, it’s one of my favorite promotional pieces, the product reflects the simplicity and elegance of his craft and when you visit his website you’ll see it has become a part of his identity. 
Can you name a Promo Product that you have that STILL reminds you fondly of an event, person, organization? If so, can you tell us that story? A brass letter opener (pictured in the photo above). No one uses letter openers anymore, but it was an iconic campaign for me. It was a campaign we created for a local museum who wanted to give their donors a unique gift; the requirement was that it needed to resemble a stake and yet also be an elegant piece with a high perceived value, so we did these beautiful deep-etched medallion letter openers. The reason it is so important to me: As I sat across the desk from the museum’s director, listening to the story about the founding of their museum, I realized we, as an industry, had been doing marketing all wrong. We were telling stories from the perspective of the product; we needed to tell stories from the perspective of the customer and their objectives, with the product serving as a minor (but important) character in the story. It was my epiphany, how we could reshape the perception of our medium and ignite the imagination of future buyers. I keep it to remind me that, regardless of what you sell, stories are what move buyers. What is the current product you use all the time? Aside from the journals, a coaster. The one pictured above is from High West Distillery in Park City, UT where the Snugz team treated us to dinner. I love it when brands take such intricate care, (on even a coaster), to authentically reflect their brand, the material is rugged, wild, and unfinished, like the wilderness of Utah. I also have a favorite coaster I picked up at blue bicycle Books in Charleston; both companies know that a product is a blank canvas for art. What is an idea/product that you think organizations UNDER use? Drinkware. Why drinkware? I still see drinkware as the “t-shirt for the desktop (or car).” Drinkware-as-underutilized is a ridiculous assertion, since it’s one of the largest categories, but I think we underutilize it as a canvas. Too many short-sighted promotional products end up with just a logo and no copy that bonds tribal unity or creative design that inspires the recipient. If we thought more of our products like art canvases (like the coasters, like the matchbooks), we would create more imaginative campaigns. We should elevate the lowly drinkware product to the stature of a cool t-shirt by our kick-ass copy and beautiful design. What do you think is the best thing about Promotional Products as an advertising media? In an article for PPB, I wrote that every product sold in our industry is intended to serve a purpose. Even when the client just needs “something to give away: and is nonchalant about its intent, the product still serves a purpose. Many a marketing coordinator has called a distributor to order a product for an event and been ambivalent about the outcome, but don’t let this corporate lethargy fool you: every product still serves a purpose. And worse, when a product doesn’t fulfill its purpose, it furthers the “trinkets and trash” myth that we all detest. Find the purpose (or, as Mark Graham says, “solve the problem”) and you’ll find the right product. I realize that much of what we do for clients is sourcing, but the real magic happens when we solve problems through imaginative branding (art) that then produces a desired outcome (commerce). Playing and winning at the intersection of art+commerce is the best thing about promotional products as an advertising medium.
And…that’s the another edition of Brand-ecdotes! Thanks to Bobby Lehew for taking the time to jump in on this project! Awesome stuff here!
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