Marketing Information

Mark Twain's Great Marketing Idea


To tell you the truth (and about 53% of this article is true), I don't know where I heard this story about Mark Twain. But I've heard it enough times to verify that it's either (a) at least half true, or (b) a credible lie.

Anyway, it's seems that in the early 1850's Twain - then known as Samuel Clemens - found himself in San Francisco without a job. The reason he was there, I believe, had something to do with the Gold Rush.

Twain loved the town, and wanted to stay. But to do so he had to find a job. Since he'd worked on a newspaper before, he applied at a big publication there.

No thanks, the editor said. We don't need any writers right now. And even if we did, we don't have money in the budget to pay them.

Twain countered with an amazing offer. What if he agreed to work for free? I'll write for you, Twain said. You publish my work, and if people like what I write, maybe you'll hire me.

You can guess the rest of this report. The editor loved Twain's work, hired him, and Twain's career continued to build. But what if he'd simply walked out the door that day?

The moral of this story: Free is pretty hard to refuse. Next time you have trouble winning a client, how about offering to do a project for free, just to show what you can do?

Rix Quinn's new book "Words That Stick" is inexpensive, and offers lots of writing ideas. You can get it from you local bookstore, or http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1580085768/qid/

For details on Quinn's workshops and consulting services, e-mail him at mailto:rixquinn@charter.net


MORE RESOURCES:

Hawaii marketing to put Korea on hold
Bizjournals.com, NC - 58 minutes ago
But the HTA will wait until at least late January to spend another $607000 on marketing to South Korea, as well as spending an additional $238000 for ...
Tourism agency holds back funds for Korea marketing Honolulu Star-Bulletin
all 8 news articles


Reuters

FedEx cuts marketing spend by more than 25 percent
Reuters - 1 hour ago
N) has cut its marketing budgets by more than 25 percent in 2009 as part of its response to the bleak US economy, the package delivery giant said on ...
FedEx trims '09 marketing budget by 25% Bizjournals.com
all 12 news articles


Tivo CEO says stepping up marketing partnerships
Reuters - 6 hours ago
O) plans to establish more marketing relationships with entertainment producers and retailers such as Best Buy Co Inc (BBY.N) in the current quarter and ...


Brightview Senior Living picks Crosby Marketing Communications for ...
Bizjournals.com, NC - 6 hours ago
The Annapolis marketing firm will develop a new logo, sales materials, ads, direct mail and other materials to promote Brightview’s communities. ...


Call 4 Action: Marketing Of 'Weight Loss' Berry Drawing Fire
MSNBC - 10 hours ago
... is also taking resentment with some of the claims. They're also suing Central Coast Nutraceuticals in an effort to stop some of its marketing practices.
Acai Promoters Targeted by BBB, Arizona Natural Products Marketplace
Consumers warned to avoid 2 supplement sales sites The Associated Press
all 56 news articles


Marketing into a Meltdown
Wall Street Journal - 21 hours ago
It turns out that Mr. Michaelson didn't get very far inside the company: He was a mid-level marketing executive at Countrywide from mid-2003 until October ...


BrightTALK Hosts Marketing Automation Summit
International Business Times, NY - Jan 6, 2009
This online webcast summit will provide marketers with tips and techniquesto optimize their marketing programs by utilizing the latest marketingautomation ...


Aon Affinity Insurance Services Signs on With Goodman Marketing ...
MSNBC - 19 hours ago
SAN RAFAEL, CA - Goodman Marketing Partners (GMP), an independent full-service direct marketing company based in San Rafael, CA, announced today that Aon ...
Aon Affinity Insurance Services Signs on With Goodman Marketing ... International Business Times
all 8 news articles


Norwegian Cruise Line Selects Omniture to Provide a More ...
CNNMoney.com - 12 hours ago
Using Omniture, NCL can provide a more intuitive site experience for customers and better tools to help travel partners maximize their sales, marketing and ...


Monterey Gourmet Foods Appoints Food Marketing Expert Tammy G ...
MSNBC - 5 hours ago
As an expert in branding and consumer marketing she has led the marketing for major brands including Miller Lite®, Ortho®, RoundUp®, Enfamil®, Boost®, ...

Marketing - Google News

home | site map
© 2006