I think all marketers have had a similar experience: You're meeting with a client/superior/colleague discussing an upcoming campaign. Your client is absolutely sure that one offer/creative will outperform another. You, on the other hand, just KNOW that the alternative offer/creative is the winning package. You argue about the benefits of one over the other. Voices are raised; you're passionate; YOUR idea is the best. What happens at the end? Typically, the debater with the most clout (i.e.: the client or the boss) wins. Their idea ends up getting implemented...
What's the better resolution to this dilemma (and the answer that direct marketers are typically first to suggest)? It's simple--test both concepts and let results decide the winning idea. Unfortunately, however, rigorous testing just isn't done often enough.
This article from Advertising Age, Randomized Testing Is Fast and Cheap, but Few Seem Interested made me think about testing in a new way. It's all about real-time testing and the author cites an insightful case study of how an author let clicks from a Google ad determine the title of his soon-to-be-published book. The author was certain that he had the right title. His editor was certain that another title would be more interesting. Well, the editor was right, based on responses to the Google ad.
The article cites other testing examples and also discusses how the Internet has enabled real-time testing.
It may be time to evaluate your testing strategy. RRW has written a white paper on this subject. If you'd like a copy of that white paper, just send us an email (info@rrwconsulting.com) and we'll send it your way.
John Power
John Power, founder of Biltmore Franchise Consulting, has extensive experience developing and marketing franchises and business opportunities. He has been in and around franchising for over twenty years.
From 1980 through 1990 he conceptualized, organized, and developed the American Video Association. He grew AVA to 2,000 national members, before selling the company it 1990. It was later merged into another home video marketing company.
From 2000 to 2005 he worked as a contract marketing and human resources consultant to several local and national companies.
In 2005 Mr. Power began working as a franchise development consultant on a full-time basis. Since that time he has helped more than three dozen companies initiate and develop their franchising program. He notes that there are many companies interested in developing a franchise program, and who need his specialized assistance.
Mr. Power is a “hands-on” franchise consultant. He said, “I am the ‘nuts and bolts’ person who tends to the details for my clients.”
Mr. Power holds a B.S. degree with a major in Marketing.
See: www.biltmorefranchise.com
You may contact Mr. Power at: jpower@biltmorefranchise.co - Visit John Power's Website
David Barr
David Barr is the President of Venture Opportunities, Inc. David has been a professional business broker/intermediary since 1980 focusing on General Business Brokerage and Mergers and Acquisitions representing client transaction value from $400,000 to $20,000,000. Mr. Barr has handled the sale of over four hundred and fifty companies. David earned a university degree from the State University of New York majoring in economics and business.
David holds the Mergers and Acquisition Master Intermediary and the Certified Business Intermediary designations from the International Business Brokers Association. He is also a Senior Business Analyst and a Texas licensed Real Estate Agent. For more information about David and Venture Opportunities, visit www.bizdealmaker.com. - Visit David Barr's Website
Staging Diva
Debra Gould, aka The Staging Diva®, is President of Six Elements Inc., an internationally recognized home staging company. Inspired by many requests from aspiring home stagers wanting to start similar businesses, Gould created the Staging Diva Home Staging Business Training Program. Gould has trained over 1000 Staging Diva Graduates worldwide to start staging businesses. Buying decorating and selling six of her own homes in four years lead to an interest in real estate staging which she turned into a career with the launch of sixelements.com in 2002. Since then she has staged hundreds of homes in addition to teaching home staging training. Gould is the author of several home staging resources including a series of popular ebooks made up of a Design Guide, Color Guide and Portfolio Guide. For more information about Debra Gould visit stagingdiva.com. - Visit Staging Diva's Website
Jay Kubassek
(Jay's Full Bio: EvanCarmichael.com/jaykubassek)In five years, Canadian-born entrepreneur Jay Kubassek went from selling mufflers at a Midas franchise to revolutionizing Internet marketing with the 2004 launch of CarbonCopyPRO, a online marketing education company, now worth over $20 million with customers in over 160 countries.
As an independent film producer, his upstart film fund Aliquot Films is currently producing a films with Spike Lee and Abel Fererra (starring Ethan Hawke and Dennis Hopper.)
Jay's entrepreneurial spirit is irrepressible. He’s the owner of five companies, a professional speaker and trainer, international real estate developer/investor, extreme sport enthusiast and emerging philanthropist.
Nancy Arter is a Platinum author on EvanCarmichael.com
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