Comments on: Listen Learn Change Grow

By: Lee Odden

Lee Odden — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:42:42 +0000

Thanks Scott. At some point, maybe now?, companies will feel the $ pain enough to really take a serious look at the results they’re getting from current models and what innovators are doing on the web.

Legacy mindsets are far more dangerous to company profitability than legacy software.

By: Scott Clark

Scott Clark — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:28:57 +0000

You outdid yourself on this one Lee.

I think we Web Marketers are all singing a similar song but there is a fundamental chasm between the corporate culture (often decades’ worth) and the “sudden” need to engage directly when it comes to clients. I’m struggling with this with every client it seems, no matter how outwardly progressive they seem.

People can no longer hide mediocre products and services behind on the friction of networks (e.g. word of mouth used to be very inefficient, but now it’s effortless.) This is a big shock and uncomfortable to most. It puts a ruthless magnifying glass on their stuff.

By: Lee Odden

Lee Odden — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:13:44 +0000

Hey Valerie, it’s an industry wide issue – implementation of SEO recommendations. Part of the solution from an agency perspective is to do a better job of qualifying clients before they become clients. Is the company a learning organization, are they realistic, capable and open to change? Or not? Build that into the agreement.

Of course it’s hard to know organization capabilities until it gets tested. That needs to be addressed up front as well – to the degree possible, without scaring the client away.

“This is going to hurt” isn’t a very effective sales technique, but it’s the truth and those that listen, learn, change and grow will come out ahead.

By: Lee Odden

Lee Odden — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:09:07 +0000

Thanks Saad.

Right on Brock, we are in a time of fluid marketing and the same old rules no longer apply. Agencies and clients alike need to adapt or they’ll lose out to those that do.

Thank you Marci

By: Marketing Rooster

Marketing Rooster — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 14:52:37 +0000

Your points about listening are especially interesting. I’ve become very interested in the shift in internet marketing towards creating a dialogue with the consumer, over the traditional method of creating a brand narrative. Your breakdown is a great analysis of how companies need to interact WITH the end user more and more these days, vs. talking AT them.

By: Valerie DiCarlo

Valerie DiCarlo — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 14:24:50 +0000

What a GREAT post, Lee… really insightful and “right on”.

I just wanted to add another perspective… that it would be SO nice if our CLIENTS would also Listen, Learn, Change & Grow from our recommendations and suggestions to them!

Yes, we as internet marketers MUST listen, learn, change and grow… but the success of a project also depends on the CLIENT doing the same. Often times as consultants, we’re at the mercy of the client not implementing half of our suggestions – whether it be budget or a real lack of understanding the ongoing requirements (and commitment) it takes to be successful. And unfortunately, sometimes the time we take to educate falls on deaf ears.

By: The Shift Of Trusted, Influential Media: From Brands To People

The Shift Of Trusted, Influential Media: From Brands To People — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 13:34:51 +0000

[...] Listen Learn Change Grow (TopRank Blog) [...]

By: Marci

Marci — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 03:38:25 +0000

Great post really good information here!
Thanks again Lee Odden for always posting such good content.

Marci ~

By: Brock Horner

Brock Horner — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 21:57:31 +0000

This post was very insightful. I think a lot of marketers tend to get out of touch with what the problem is and where it lies. If the problem is not fully understood, then a working solution cannot be created. This field does not work like a kitchen. You can’t just dig out grandma’s old recipe and whip up something amazing in the blink of an eye. You can always use the basics, but it will be a rare occasion when something used a year or two ago will work again today. It’s been seen and done, consumers want something different now.

Great post!

By: Saad Kamal

Saad Kamal — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 19:25:24 +0000

It looks really simple when a big thing is broken down in smaller chunks.

Gr8 post. Stumbled!

By: Lee Odden

Lee Odden — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 19:14:42 +0000

Shannon, you are generous with your comments – listening and change are the constants we can rely on with digital marketing.

And BTW, that’s a wonderful blog you have there.

I recommend readers to check out “Shannon’s Very Official Blog” which is a refreshing taste of social media goodness.

By: Lee Odden

Lee Odden — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 19:14:20 +0000

Thanks David and Richard.

Glad you liked it Derek and thank you for Stumbling!

By: Shannon Paul

Shannon Paul — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 16:44:04 +0000

Lee, I love that you break down listening as being something more than hearing the words that are spoken. Good marketers need to understand that the problems identified by businesses are often just symptoms. Good listening is deciphering where the real problems lie and that leads to learning.

I also really like the emphasis on change. This is not the field for you if you want to learn a particular set of skills and coast your way to retirement. Change is always part of the equation and it’s our job to stay on top of the changes.

Great information and perspective!

By: Richard

Richard — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 07:03:29 +0000

Good points. It really helps to keep things simple.

Thank you for the post!

Richard

By: Derek

Derek — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 16:02:17 +0000

You know ,I am so glad I came across this post today. There are so many people who spend hours trying to produce the greatest content and value in the world, but they just don’t listen to what’s going on.

This is the problem with many old media and old marketing companies. They just don’t listen.

Great article, I stumbled it.

By: DeadFly

DeadFly — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 01:37:12 +0000

I read something the other night about life that also applys to marketing. A farmer says to someone trying to sell him something to help him make more money and farm better says “I don’t farm half as good as I know already” – I think the same goes for everything in SEO and most working in it.

By: David Alston

David Alston — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 00:34:17 +0000

Great steps Lee. And a deep post too – maybe too deep for me to read at the moment on a Friday night so I’ll have to come back later. Have a great Thanksgiving!

By: val

val — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 19:55:31 +0000

Se voc

By: Marney Lewis

Marney Lewis — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 18:02:35 +0000

This was a very good post, I really enjoyed all the points that you made with all the interesting facts, Great work and I look forward to the next post. Thanks again and Happy Thanksgiving.