by Kirby Hasseman
I get way too much credit. Really. For nearly everything. This is not a statement of modesty. It’s just a fact. But I have only come to realize it recently. What brought this to my attention was a project that my wife and I have recently tackled. It’s a property on Main Street in Coshocton that we purchased at the end of last year. Since then, work has been being done to improve the property and (we hope) the downtown as well. But here’s the thing…I haven’t been doing any of it. My wife has. She (with the help of my daughters) has been tearing up carpet, taking out cabinets, cleaning, painting, working with contractors and more. They have been working their tails off and making great progress…and I am very proud of them. So it always catches me off guard when someone comes up to Amy and I and asks ME about the project. “How is that coming?” Or “Really appreciate you taking that project on.” That’s great…and I appreciate the sentiment. But I am not doing it. I am just getting the credit for it. Is it because I am the guy?Is it because I am the mouthpiece?Is it because I am the constant, narcissistic self-promoter? Wait. That last one hurt. Amy deserves all of the credit for the project. She is doing a great job. And it made me think of the other things in my life where I get all of the credit…unfairly. Do you enjoy videos we do like Delivering Marketing Joy? If so, Dustin Haywood deserves credit. He is our video guru and makes me look good. Do you like the graphics and look of our marketing? Then you need to give Josh Williams a pat on the back. That’s all him. Happy about the fact that we pay the bills and invoices get moving in a timely fashion? Libbie Granger-Prince handles all of that. And if you have ever had me actually make it to an appointment, or an order made it through the process, then Emily Bradford deserves credit for that. Oh…and one more…if you like the beer at Hasseman Brewing, Robbie Kehl does the work behind the scenes there. It’s humbling to have such a great team of people making me look better than I deserve. So thanks to them…and to our awesome sales team too. That’s where the credit is due. Make sure you never miss an update. Sign up for our VIP newsletter here for all of the content!
by Kirby Hasseman
This past week, I was recognized in a couple of different posts for online activity and influence. It was beyond humbling. The first was Dale Denham’s Online 18. Each year Dale puts together a list of the people he deems as the most influential online in the Promotional Products industry. He has his own criteria, which outlines at the top of the list, and he spends a lot of time putting it together. Other than me, it’s a veritable Who’s Who of online and content in the industry. Check it out here. Oh…and here is the podcast about this I did yesterday. The second post came from Commonsku. Commonsku is a service provider in the Promo World and created this list of their favorite Podcasts. It includes some newer podcasts and some old favorites…and we made that list too. That post can be found here. So why am I bringing this up (other than a blatant Humble Brag)? I mention this because it’s amazing how much recognition matters…to everyone. The Hasseman Marketing team and I create content on an every day basis. Our goal is to provide value. Our hope is that someone gets something out of each piece of content that either educates or inspires. And for the most part, it happens quietly. But when something like this happens, it’s hard not to take pride. It makes you want to puff up your chest. It is great to know that what you do matters…to someone. The lesson, I think goes back to this blog post about Fixing the Appreciation Gap. Recognition matters to everyone. Many of us would like to think we are above it. We “do the work” regardless of what anyone thinks. And maybe we do. But when we get called out for our good work…we take pride. Guess what? So do your employees. So do your customers. Make sure you are taking the time to “make a list” of the people doing great work in your life and your organization. Give them a chance to “puff up their chest.” And if you want to make sure you never miss any of this “recognized” content, feel free to sign up for our VIP newsletter. You can do that here! Or if you want to head to our site and shop for cool Promotional items to recognize your team, you can do that here.
by Kirby Hasseman
It’s time to bring “Marketing Joy” to the masses! At Hasseman Marketing we pride ourselves in providing amazing promotional premiums to customers all over the United States. And frankly, we want to provide the right product to the person for the right situation. It’s NOT just about slinging SWAG.
That’s why we help you ask the right questions (here are 5 you should ask before your next promotion).
On the other hand, we want to be THE place you look for the best cool products for every occasion. We want to create “Brand-Slams” for you and your organization!
This week’s BrandSlam is one that nearly every organization can use…and it’s affordable. It’s the Ideal Retractor Kit!
We are in the business of “signs.” We have heard that for a long time. Whether you put your sign on a business card, a t-shirt, a calendar or a ball cap…it’s a sign. But this week, our BrandSlam is an actual sign! The Ideal Retractor Kit is a great affordable sign kit, when budget is a big concern. Maybe you need to buy a bunch of signs for an event or new opening, or maybe funds are tight. Either way, the Ideal Retractor is for you.
The Ideal retractor is designed from the ground up to be a quick, simple solution for short-term promotional applications. There are lightweight, aluminum base with plastic ends, and plastic swivel foot for stability. The three-section shock cord pole makes it easy to set up and take down. Your artwork is printed on tear-resistant Titan polypropylene media and it comes with a two-month product warranty.
This is not your “Forever sign.” But for the time when budget is vital, this could be a BrandSlam for you! Find out more here.
For more information on this item you can click on this link. But if you want to discuss options or how this fits in with your other promotional campaigns, feel free to reach out to your HMC representative. Don’t have one? Email us here and we can hook you up!
To make sure you stay on top of all of our content (including the next Brand Slam) make sure to sign up for our VIP newsletter here. Or if you want to look around our website for other BrandSlams, you can shop here.
by Kirby Hasseman
Everyone wants to create (or be) the “next big thing.” We want to start off with a #1 hit. Or at the very least, we want to have some level of success right away. But when it comes to sales, building a business or creating content, most of the time, it doesn’t work that way. It’s done by making small, almost unnoticed steps, each day. Seth Godin talks about this in this blog post “Two Simple Secrets to Good ideas.” Secret #1 is the biggest one: More bad ideas. The more bad ideas the better. If you work really hard on coming up with bad ideas, sooner or later, some good ideas are going to slip through. That’s how I feel about creating content and building an audience. You need to be willing to live through the times when it feels like nobody cares. You have to keep showing up. You have to keep providing value without getting anything in return. Oh, and as a side, note, I “keep” saying “keep.” Before you can keep doing anything, you have to start. So if you want to build a business or a personal brand, you have to actually start. Seth Godin would say you have to “Choose Yourself.” The bad news is, it will take time. Most of the time it takes a long time to create a real audience. But the good news is, that lack of audience gives you time to hone your craft and get better. It gives you time to make mistakes and not be perfect. You won’t be. But start. As Seth says, start creating a bunch of bad ideas. Sooner or later a great idea, video, podcast, blog, or business will come. Speaking of people who “chose themselves,” congratulations to the people recognized on the most recent Online 18. Dale Denham has created this list for the last several years. It recognizes people that put themselves out there online, hopefully, to the betterment of the marketing community. Keep it up! We will keep putting this “out there!” Make sure you never miss a podcast, video, blog or special. Sign up for our VIP Newsletter here.
by Kirby Hasseman
The older I get, the less I value ideas.
Don’t get me wrong. Ideas are fun! There is something truly fun and magical about that time when you (or your team) has an idea that is exciting. You get to take the idea out and consider the possibilities. It can be exhilarating. But most of the time, that exhilaration goes away as soon as someone needs to actually “do” something.
The fact is, everyone in sales knows that if you want to sell more, you need to make more sales calls. You need to reach out to new prospects. But most sales pros don’t “do” it. They don’t lack ideas or knowledge. They lack the execution.
Everyone knows (me included) that if we want to get in amazing shape, we need to eat better (and often less) and work out more. You know it. I know it. We don’t need a fancy new ab machine. We need to put down the creamsticks! We know it. We just don’t do it.
So as you are planning your goals and vision for the coming year, remember this. Planning and “visioneering” what your life will be life is fun. It’s also important! You can’t create a life on purpose unless you are intentional. But build in specific action steps of what are you going to “do” each day to reach them.
In other words…
Don’t tell me what you are going to do with your words. Show me what you are going to do with your actions.
I still enjoy brainstorming ideas with my team and my business friends. As a matter of fact, I love it! We still get the same rush from dreaming that everyone else does. But what makes a session like that really exciting is opening your eyes and doing something about it.
Here’s to “doing.”
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by Kirby Hasseman
Each year, a group of friends and I head off for our Annual Golf Outing. It’s been going on so long, we just call it “The Annual.” In our circle, that is all the description it needs. As a matter of fact, this year was the 30th Annual. (No, I have not been going the whole time). It’s a weekend of fun, laughing, adult beverages and some (very poor) golf. And of course there are many stories that I can’t repeat. Good times. This year I noticed that there were several products that were “must haves” at the Annual. These were the ones that were used every day…and every one wanted. So here are the 3 Products I used (nearly) everyday at the Annual. DM130 Triblend T-shirt: Each year, we have a t-shirt that commemorates the event. It has become a tradition. We come up with fun design each year and the group doesn’t get to see them until I arrive. This year we chose the Super Soft DM130 shirt for the keepsake. It’s the comfy kind of shirt you want to wear…and they were a hit! 12 oz 3 in 1 Insulator: This is one of those products you need to see in action! That was certainly the case this year! When I took these out, most people thought they were a Basic Vacuum Tumbler (and those are awesome too). But when I showed them that you could not only drink out of it, but also take it a part and use it as a Vacuum Sealed Insulator of drinks, you could see their minds get blown. On a hot weekend where temperatures were at nearly 100, this was a must! Shockwave Speaker/Charger: When you are “pro-level” golfers like us, you might want some tunes on the Golf Course! We did. But you want to be careful with these, because the sound can carry! And with nearly 40 hours of play time, this lasted way longer than my phone. But no worries…it’s a charger too! So this is an awesome piece for the course…and the back porch. So those were the 3 products I found myself using each day at the Annual. Some other time, maybe I can tell you some other stories…but probably not! Make sure you never miss an update by signing up for the VIP newsletter here. Or if you want ideas for your next event, please contact your HMC Sales rep! Oh…if you want to shop online, just head here to check out much of what we have to offer.
