The way we build our websites is cool and all but it’s not about HOW we do things it’s about the WHY…. At FirstTracks Marketing we are business people who also happen to be very good at website design and development. Our process for developing a website solution for your business is built on exactly [...]

I like listening and that’s interesting coming from someone who also loves to talk. Still working on the listening thing and being in a profession (marketing & business strategy) that has more than it’s share of talkers, I can say we all have a lot of work to do.

The most direct email headline ever… “Don’t Buy” and this was on Cyber Monday from a consumer products company in the height of the buying palooza frenzy that drives the US and world economies. What was Patagonia doing? Why weren’t they pushing deals and enticing me to buy, buy, buy. Isn’t that want everyone expects?

When working with clients on their business and marketing strategies I’m always looking for what I call the BIG 3. These are the deep bone marrow “musts” that just have be there if Business Success is to have a chance. A meaningful product, service or place A fertile market that has a real need for [...]

This past week I came across an article by Hubspot titled “Why I Fired My Marketing Agency” which turned out to be an interesting piece that details what you should NOT be looking for from your marketing agency. I think the quote from the article the resonated with me the most was: “Three months later and [...]

“If anything, our brand is almost all about storytelling.” I came across this from Doug Wood, President of Tommy Bahama. A reputable company with good brand recognition. We’ve all heard of them and we know what they do. But why? They use fabrics like so many others. They can sew, advertise and distribute. They have [...]

Is this where the Brand Plan says we should be? Amazon is planning on going all brick and mortar on us in a west coast test market. I think an oh so overused word applies here, REALLY!? As a brand planner I’d like to think that someone at this master of the online universe might [...]

So you want to put that great new product on the shelves of Wal-Mart. Sitting in the Wal-Mart buying office lobby is the Star Wars Bar scene of mass market distribution. You can’t believe the array of products and hopeful Willie/Willimina Lomans. Smiles and shoe shines all around and the most powerful of all…the receptionists. [...]

I read a scary bit of research from the pros along the Charles River. Forrester Research was working on the “of’s” of marketing in businesses today. The Of’s being perceptions of /need of/cost of etc. and what they found was, drum roll please….

In our business the buzz is all about being on-line, social media tactics with webinars offering every form of advice. My in box looks like a 2am infomercial fest. The buzz can be deafening and overwhelming to the point that I just might get struck down if I ever suggested to a client that something [...]