Archive for April, 2009

One of the most effective things you can do when you work a tradeshow is to sit down after its over and figure out what worked, what didn’t, what you wish you’d done and what you learned from the experience. I’ve not had time to really clarify my thoughts on all this yet, but I wanted to share with you my initial impressions, while they are still fresh in my mind. Read the rest of this entry »

As I’ve mentioned before, it’s been a few years since I’ve worked a tradeshow floor. (A fact my feet are reminding me of, even as I type. Some things never change.) I’m happy to say that I successfully anticipated most everything that could happen. But not everything. And some things, honestly, I would have done differently. Here’s a rundown on my DGS Tradeshow Experience: Read the rest of this entry »

Well, I’m here. I set up my booth earlier today. And tomorrow starts a three-day marathon to see if my ideas are on-target, and if my product will sell.

My strategy is a simple one – show the product to as many guitarists as I can, and let the product speak for itself. I want to get as many orders as possible. I also want to show it to the visiting guitar gods (Bugs Henderson, Rick Derringer, and Jeff “Skunk” Baxter) to see if I can score some endorsements.

More reports forthcoming, as details warrant.

Totally Clueless.

I’m a fan of social networking sites. I’m not big on Facebook and Twitter and MySpace – but I have a presence there, largely because they’ve each reached critical mass. They are useful for keeping track of old friends. That’s all well and good, but I’m far more interested in business-oriented sites. Keeping in touch with business contacts and former co-workers is a networker’s dream. It’s something that’s really useful, especially when you’re looking for a job, or seeking a way into a company to grab and account. Read the rest of this entry »

If you came to me as a client or prospect, and told me “I’m starting a new company,” I’d be sorely tempted to recommend caution, for in the recession, not to mention the goverment’s “let’s spend our way out of having no money” mentality, now may not be the best time to start a new venture.

Then again, it may be the BEST time to do so.

So, in the spirit of “eating my own dog food,” that’s exactly what I’m doing. Next week, I’m taking my latest invention – a six-instrument guitar stand – to exhibit at the Dallas Guitar Show (April 17-19, if you’re interested). Read the rest of this entry »

I’m about to go once more into the breach and work a tradeshow.

There was a time when companies I worked for did a dozen or so tradeshows a year – COMDEX, SIGgraph, PC Expo, you name it, I’ve been there. Back in the day, if your company wanted to be a player…urm “playa”…you did tradeshows. Today…not so much. So why am I doing it? Read the rest of this entry »

Most men lead lives of quiet desperation. Film at Eleven.

- Reuven Frank, NBC News

As I write this, every cable news outlet is providing wall-to-wall coverage of the tragic mass-shooting New York state. While it’s natural that any tragedy of this nature is newsworthy, I can’t help but wonder, is the amount of coverage more about ratings and pandering, than it is about communicating valuable information in a timely fashion? Read the rest of this entry »

Between Socialism, the economy, current events, and everything else going on in the world, there’s not a lot today that we can laugh at.

In honor of today, I’m taking a break from my regularly-scheduled marketing commentary to provide a link for you to the best blonde joke ever.

Enjoy.