Ask yourself this.
Does my marketing inspire a prospect to:
jump for joy and renounce coffee forever.
send you an email.
press the back button.
spontaneously plow their nose into the keyboard in a deep yet restless sleep.
A very smart marketer once told me,
“Effective marketing is mostly entertainment. If I had to put a number on it, I’d say it’s 80% entertainment, 20% content.”
What does this mean? That 80% of marketing is just mind candy for our potential customers…with only 20% content?
Not at all.
Just don’t let your prospect fall asleep because your delivery is so dang boring they’d rather be at the dentist than endure your pitch.
Spice things up, entertain your audience and they’ll stick with you, hungry for more.
Here are 3 sure signs your marketing will put ME to sleep:
1. You talk about yourself too much.
2. There’s more fluff in your marketing than content.
3. You have no personality (or at least you don’t show it.)
Talk about your prospect’s needs. How can you solve a problem in their life?
80% entertainment and 20% content leaves no room for fluff. The entertainment needs to be good for certain, but that content needs to be dynamite.
And regarding personality, we all love real people. Computers don’t easily allow personality to come through. That’s half the reason you need to entertain—to show people you aren’t just a computer program. Let your personality shine through, but keep your ego at home.
It’s always a balancing act, like the fuel to air ratio in an engine. Surround yourself with other people’s good marketing. Ask yourself what makes a piece of marketing work. Why does it grab you?
Marketing that entertains, SELLS.
Remember that.
Your comments make my day. The sweet pleasure of entering the ‘guts’ of my blog and approving comments one-by-sweet-one is a treat. Picture me bowing to your gracious comment in front of my laptop. Drop me a line below. (You’ll be in my good books forever.)
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{ 44 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks Jenn for all that you do! You are a true GIVER! And I love the pic, that’s me most mornings!
Hi Jenn, I recently “discovered” you and your webpage through a YouTube video. I really like your style and easy to understand methods. In fact, after watching your video, watching Lesson #2 and reading your blog, I have been busy unsubscribing from the “noise” and distractions that come to my email every day. I get lost in a lot of the busy work of sorting thru email rather than working on my business. Thanks for helping me get my focus back!
Sound advice, thanks!
Hi Jenn,
Things you teach are things I kinda know but they seem clearer when I hear them from you. In a few lines, you can summarize essential information and make my life easier. I become conscious of what I knew inconsciously.
My Eternal Gratitude,
Millie
Good Morning Jenn,
It doesn’t get any better than to start my day with a good cup of coffee and to read another posting of Jenn Lawlor’s Inter-Network Marketing Entertainment!
Hey … maybe were on to something there, what ya think?
Thanks for all you do Jenn, Your a Godsend.
Hi Jenn,
Your message landed in my junk mail but I opened it.
You sound a lovely person doing a good job.
I have been through the sales and marketing mill but am now semi retired. I am a trustee of a book, gift and card shop and a linked commercial cafe. We sell all new products and we are a non denominational Christian based charity but run on commercial grounds and must pay our way through gross profits.
I am always on the lookout for ideas on how to sell more and make more profit so that we can reflect our ethos by contributing to the community. We run our own web site. Your point about boring self aggrandizement strikes home as I am on the lookout for some internet work and seem to have to plow through endless stories about money-less individuals who strike gold and post pictures of their houses and cars.
Our shop and cafe are vigorously active and I believe in the Attention, Interest, Desire, Action approach but as I do not have any experience as a shop keeper, I am always on the lookout for new ideas.
It was lovely to come across your e-mail and I wish you all the best.
Ken.
It seems that in Internet Marketing and Network Marketing and especially where those two disciplines meet, the use of humor goes right out the window! Everyone is far too busy being uh, “professional” and “getting it right” to make fun of themselves or the world, or their system, or their opportunity. If, as Ann Sieg advocates – Teaching Sells, and if marketing is 80% Entertainment, then it seems to follow that HUMOROUS TEACHING would sell even better. 2 examples of humor selling – on Youtube, Lisa Nova the “Twitter Harlot” (ok, the real second word was not suitable for a family blog, but you get the picture) came out of nowhere to garner MILLIONS of views and is now doing full-length feature films. On Twitter, I have only to look at my own backyard (Seattle) where the number one twitterer according to Twitterholic, ahead of dynastic enterprises like Amazon and Starbucks is @ICHCheezburger (aka I Can Has Cheezburger) – one funny tweeter!
I can now see myself becoming the successful marketer that I want to be. I am working on a project that will help lots of people save $$$. Thank you so very much for your commitment to those of us that are just learning to earn a living off the net. Great picture but not me! When I get up I am ready for the day. Got to go study!
Confession: I have to say I did get VERY distracted here, wandering off to the pictures of S/V Eventyr on Flickr – Please Jenn, more pics of that vessel, ok? (smiling)
Well done Jenn,
Absolutely ‘nail on the head’ stuff, as we’ve now gotten used to from you.
Keep on sockin it to us, your are truly inspirational.
Just caught your email: great thoughts. I’m going to tweet this one via a link. Thanks for sharing.
I agree, having come from the field of sales and marketing.
Also, notice that Jenn writes how people speak, and leaves lots of white space between sentences.
It’s easy to read, and draws you in.
Thanks for the email, if you exchange that coffee cup for a Diet Pepsi, that would certainly be me. Great food for thought, especially since I’m smack dab in the middle of creating a new post card marketing piece.
I’m also open to ideas about email marketing that gets immediate attention. Thanks again, what a heart you have in you:)
Great stuff. Your last line immediately engaged my imagination as I envisioned
your bow to my laptop which put an immediate smile on my face…that’s entertainment!
Thanks
Thanks Jenn Now you’ve probably inspired Naomi to sneak a picture of me with a training video playing on my laptop while I’m feeding my unconscious, or is that my subconscious.
Thanks for the smile!
Stan
Hey Jenn: SO right on!…..as usual….you have your finger on the marketing pulse!
Many thanks for all your teaching and sharing!
Sending you wishes for a Great Week-end!
Linda.
Hi Jenn Thanks for the smile, I understand that feeling & will remember that when I’m writing a post. Thanks for all you do, it’s very much appreciated. Naomi
Finally someone who agrees with me! This was a great way to start my day. I have 2 events to do out of town and needed this good medicine! As a Psychic for over 30 years, the feedback I get is “Thanks Donna, I feel better now … you always make me laugh.” A good sense of humor is always great with potential clients. One must be aware that when you have a potential customer you must give all of your attention to them. It’s a client-centered business just as my other business is. Block out everything and imagine that it is you and your client alone in that moment. O.K. – I have an edge b/c I’m psychic, but everyone is… A good exercise is to understand YOU are the tool. Remove all your hang-ups about yourself, and put yourself in a state of empathy toward your client. Anyone can do it! You will start to realize the conversation will center around them, not you. Any ego will melt. Here’s a good affirmation to say for 21 days: “I am just a tool in the creation of my dreams.” and everything will start flowing.
-Donna Merrill
I also had a good laugh at the above pic
I find the tricky part is finding a balance between good entertainment without sounding like the cheesy car salesman in his low budget advertisement that you can tell is just trying too hard to be funny and isn’t.
I love this .. and I love the picture .. The message is simple but so true .. little reminders like this make me double check the content of messages that I send to my audience .. It’s it about me or them .. ? Remembering to serve the prospect/customers needs is so key .. Thanks for this fun morning reminder! Speaking of fun .. I believe that making this all fun is key too!!
Thanks Jenn,
JS
Thanks Jenn.
We are enjoying your training and implementing it…
your friends in Utah
Paul and Sherri Whiting
That is so true Jenn. It was the most important lesson I learned when I used to be a school teacher. When I entertained my classes I could teach them anything. I think it’s probably true of communication generally. When we entertian others we make them “feel good” and when we feel this way we let go of our resistance, relax and become receptive to whatever is being presented to us. Thank you for reminding me again how important it is to give in this way and for modelling this as you do.
Your guidance is always practical and you generally put things into small enough bites that I can chew them over and swallow without getting choaked. Yours is essential support on my learning curve. A thousand thanks. Edward
Thanks Jenn…I am just getting a blog set up and this reminded me that I cannot pretend to be anything that I’m not, and that my inner quirks are my greatest asset.
Have a great weekend,
Adam
Good Morning Jenn ….
OK are you really trying to scare me this early in the morning …. Give Up Coffee?????
As I was reading through the post all I could think about is how I shudder occasionally when reading articles (and yes sometimes even mine!). I’ve tried to inject some “personality” in various pieces … sometimes it appears to work … other… welllll maybe not so much (quiet sigh) … I know my videos need something …
Perhaps we should remember empty pockets and such …. hmmmm
Anyways ….. thanks for the insight both here and the webinars …. you are truly a “Go-Giver”!
Best always,
Jim H.
Hello Jenn,
thanks for the nice picture. Is that you? Who made it? To be honest, sitting behind the computer makes me often asleep (not so much while watching your videos).
Well, I am just seriously considering starting soon some business online and I find your websites and presentation of yourself quite intersting and in some way I feel a lot of positive inspiration from it. You seem to me to be a kind of unique person among network marketers and I wish you a lot of success and joy in your life..
Have a nice weekend
Michal
I love the photo-it speaks to your point very well.
Jenn,
It is so true that one’s personality does not easily shine through a computer. There are, however, those talented people who convey warmth, how genuine they are, and I guess just a mesmerizing quality. You are one of those talented few who “shine”. Thanks for sharing!
Dear Jenn,
I hope there is still some hope for me, a very basic computer person. I am working hard. Thank you for all your help.
Hi Jenn,
Thanks for your insight…humor and authenticity really do make a difference.
I appreciate your personality and teaching style. I continue to learn so much
from you. Have a Great Weekend!
Leila
Hey Jenn
Thanks for making this fun and exciting .
Have you ever heard of an “EDU-TAINER”?
I am thinking of creating a blog thanks for the inspiration!!!
Earth Blessings,
Frank
Hi Jenn,
I love your content always. It always hit the right spot.
Thank you,
Jesus
Hi Jenn,
I totally agree with you, either you find some blogs/sites that are too technical or too much bluff & nothing to offer at all. It’s tricky though… there’s a fine line. Still the good 80/20 rule applies!
Thanks for the tips. As usual you’re spot on!!
“marketing that entertains sells” Not necessarily. I was in graduate school studying Marketing and Finance at N Y University. Joe Namath was the arrogant first year NY Jets QB that said he would beat John Unitas and his then Baltimore Colts in the Super Bowl. And he did. (it ain’t bragging if you can do it – mohammed Ali)
Haines stockings did a commercial using a reposed figure. The camera started at the feet and slowly panned up the very shapely legs till it hit a pair of boxer shorts a hairy chest and then the face of Joe Namath, who was an american icon by that time. The punch line was “if they can make me look this good think what they can do for you” However, the commercial was so entertaining that No one in a very talented marketing class could tell you what the product was. We did the usual campus survey and of those that saw the commercial about 12% could tell us the product.
The moral … entertain but don’t forget the message and Test Test Test before you put it out.
Hi Jenn,
We loved the photos of the boys and Zach! We are also very impressed with your marketing program and wish you continued success.
Your drive, determination and commitment to succeed is more than evident through the quality of program you provide.
WB & T
Thanks Jenn,
This is truly an inspirational post.
Stay well!
More great insights! Thanks so much, Jenn. Now you’ll have to cover how to absorb this into my life so that it is more a part of me. =) I LOVE humor and laughing, however, I don’t really consider myself to be funny or overly entertaining. Hmmmm. My husband is super funny so maybe I can find a way to incorporate HIM into my marketing. Ha! Appreciate you and your training!
Kate
Thank you for your insight and inspired enthusiasum – Look forward to the Wednesday Night training – Got a lot out of the research procedures you provided – thanks from the Polar Bear
What a nice blog you have..thanks for all this information
Hi Jenn,
Great post! I agree with you… great marketing should
create goose bumps, be fun, entertaining and emotional.
As we craft our marketing we must remember, people
buy what they want not necessarily what they need.
Boring marketing sucks! Let’s AMP It UP!
I look forward to learning more Jenn. Keep up the great work!
You have a choice so, make it a better than terrific day!
Terry
per our e mail tag.
trying to determine what you promote
I believe I first encountered you with life path.
Is it still on your plate or have you moved on.
Still with Lifepath Unlimited – not changing paths
great content as always, jenn. thank you!
buff
Hey Kate
Thanks for linking to my article on your blog. I’m glad you’re enjoying what I have to offer.
Nice to see you using Thesis as well!