Marketing Mentor Blog
The Marketing Mix
Read, watch and listen to the latest insights from Marketing Mentor & friends
Featured posts
Latest posts
Who are you accountable to?
When it comes to your business, are you accountable to anyone except yourself? Because if you don’t have any accountability…it’s time to get some! The first time I ever thought...
[Podcast] #327 The Comparison Trap (Experienced...
Do you constantly compare yourself to other people and come up short? If so, you're not alone. In this latest podcast interview in the Experienced Newbie series, Lisa Mullis of Paraphrase Communications, and...
Letter to my Younger Self
In preparation for the for-women-only Titanides Women's Success Accelerator in Delray Beach on October 17, each speaker was asked to write a letter to her younger self, which will be...
I feel like a dinosaur
Things haven’t just changed in my personal life. They’re changing in my business life, too. And they’re the worst kind of changes—technical ones! Ugh. I feel like I’ve been resisting...
Should you or shouldn't you? [QTMM 8/30/17]
Should you blog, give free advice, follow your heart and pick a niche? Don't you hate "shoulds?" I know I do. That's why I'm self employed -- so I get...
[Video] What if you can't get "results" for a c...
When you're writing a case study about a project, I know it can be difficult to get actual results from your clients. What’s almost certain, however, is that you...
Use my contract as a model
I’ve been in business for ten years—and do you know how many people have helped me along the way? Too many to count! And I’m super-thankful. That’s why I love...
[Podcast] #325 Michael e. Stern on how to handl...
One of the things I love about being self employed, and therefore free to choose what I want to work on, is that all of my projects are interconnected and...
[Podcast] How to turn a speaking gig into content
If you sent out your email marketing newsletter and someone responded with an invitation to speak on that topic at an event, would you say yes? Well, that's what happened...
How real life affects business when you’re self...
Okay, it’s time to come clean. I have been blogging here since 2008 and you’ve heard about everything business-related and lots of personal stuff, too…from moving to Ireland and running...
Best advice I ever received + more from my "lig...
Here's the "lightening round" (a quick Q&A) from my recently published interview with Brent Weaver on the Digital Agency Show. Listen here and read below... Brent: What is the best...
Nervous about networking in person? [QTMM 8/16/17]
Today is the perfect day to start looking for Fall networking events, where you can meet your ideal prospects in person. That's the way to make the strongest possible impression...
Is your butt covered?
Creatives who don’t have contracts say things like: I work with great people. I won’t have to go to court. I wouldn’t be able to afford to sue them anyway....
Fall 2017 Speaking Calendar for Ilise Benun of ...
This summer I've stayed put. But the Fall will be busy, especially October, when I'll be speaking up and down the East Coast. So come see me for one (or more) of...
Summer Listening: 5 Revolve Conference Speaker ...
I'm getting ready to start a new round of podcast interviews with speakers from the upcoming Revolve Conference: Where Design and Creativity Meets Marketing and Strategy, which is happening in Charleston...
When a “competitor” sends your biggest project ...
I’ve been a web copywriter for 10 years. Mostly I partner with graphic designers. But I learned at the beginning (from Ilise!) that I shouldn’t be scared of the “competition”—...
Should you pick a niche? Yes! 4 Good Reasons to...
I know that most creative professionals shy away from specializing because it limits the scope of the work you could do, and that’s true. It does. But the alternative...
[Podcast] #324 Alan Seiden: From Awkward Techie...
One of the many things I love about getting older is that people come back into your life and we get a chance to look back together and laugh at...
Build Your List Without a Lead Magnet — Here's How
Enticing people to join your email list with a piece of content, such as a cheatsheet, an ebook, or a free webinar, is a common practice in email marketing. These...
Should you give free advice?
I got this message from a colleague the other day: Quick question (if that’s ok - i don’t want to ask for free advice since this is your livelihood!)...
Should You Follow Your Heart, Really?
"Follow your heart and the money will come." I hate this saying. Mostly because I know from experience, mine and that of others, it's not true. My friend, and...
54 Niches for Copywriters
Yesterday, my friend Tomas published a new "copywriter edition" of The Niche Notebook. Dive deep into 54 examples of niches actually picked by copywriters—complete with links to each copywriter's website...
[Podcast] #323 Michael Solomon on Price as a Sh...
In my second conversation with author and marketing professor, Michael Solomon, of michaelrsolomon.com, he explains how to use your price as an indicator of quality and attract the clients who value your services....
[Event] Get Better Clients Bootcamp -- for Phot...
The Get Better Clients Bootcamp was such a hit at HOW Design Live in May that we're taking it on the road! Next stop is PhotoPlus Expo on October 25,...
[Videos] Networking tips (and more!) from #HOWL...
When I was at HOW Design Live in Chicago in May, I stopped by to have a short, short (I mean less than 1 minute!) video chat with the folks...
[Podcast] What to Say When Promoting Your Creat...
“Relationships are everything when it comes to marketing…. Whatever tools you use, the most important thing is developing relationships.” That's a quote from my recent interview as a guest on The Digital...
Is your client breaking boundaries?
I don’t think anybody starts a business because they want to get walked all over. Most people do it because they want to make the rules and be in charge....
"I will not start a project without an agreement"
You know what can happen if you start working on a project without an agreement? Sometimes it works out okay, and sometimes not so much. I got this message from...
Has This HappenedTo You Too? (QTMM 7/13/17)
I recently had an amazing opportunity fall into my lap. This gig seemed so promising -- and lucrative too! They flew me across the country for a meeting. They seemed...
[Podcast] #322 3 Simple Steps to Price Your Cre...
No matter how long you’ve been self employed, it never hurts to get a little refresher on pricing. So today’s podcast is the audio version of a webinar I gave earlier...
Watch my CreativeLive course free Monday (7/18)...
Ilise Benun presenting “Command the Fees You Deserve” If you’ve been meaning to watch my CreativeLive course, “Command the Fees You Deserve,” set aside some time Monday & Tuesday when...
Red flags? Just say no.
If you don’t want the project, say: I’m not the best fit for this project. If the project isn’t your cup of tea but might be someone else’s, say: I’m...
Are you betraying the artist within?
Enjoy this excerpt from a recent interview I did for JC Candanedo's new series, "I Wish I Had Known," on the Grey Pistachio Blog. Most creatives are very good at their craft...
The Key to Winning Your Dream Clients
I can never say it enough: The key to growing a business and getting your dream clients to come to you when they have a need is building strong, trusting...
The Best Marketing Tool? A “Free Chat”
One of the best things I’ve borrowed from Ilise’s marketing strategy is the “free chat” or consultation. A free consultation is a great way to gather info about possible projects...
Podcast Week: #1 Silencing The Inner Critic wit...
This week on the blog, I’ll be featuring all podcast interviews — some me interviewing others, some others interviewing me — perfect for any vacation or long-weekend listening you might...
[New] 3 Simple Strategies for Content Marketing...
Most creative professionals I talk to have no problem with the idea that they need to promote themselves. The big obstacle is figuring out what their content should be -- that stops...
[Podcast] #321 Gigi Rosenberg on Making a Livin...
If you struggle with the choice between trying to make a living from your art or just making a living so you can do your art, this episode is for you. ...
It took 5 years & 59 un-newsletters to land thi...
In case you didn’t believe me when I said my un-newsletter saved the day, I have further proof that newsletters are freaking wonderful. A client I worked with more than...
I’m sick of back-and-forth emails
Does this sound familiar? Them: When can you talk? You: I’m free at 2 PM tomorrow and 3 PM Thursday. 2 days later: Them: Let’s do 3 PM Thursday....
Are you being strategic with your email newslet...
Don't know what to put in your email marketing newsletter? That may be because you're not thinking about it strategically enough. Yes, of course, you can use it to show...
[Video] How to Get Better Clients -- 4 Qualitie...
This is the big idea – my message – from the Get Better Clients Bootcamp, held in Chicago as part of the 2017 HOW Design Live: You must make space...
How to "get more work" out of a client
How can I "get more work" out of a client? I cringe when I hear this question from a client. Why? Because that's exactly the wrong question to be asking. Yes, I...
[Podcast] #320 Bryn Mooth on Self Confidence & ...
You are in for a treat because today today’s podcast is an interview with one of my favorite people, Bryn Mooth, former Editor of HOW Magazine and now a thriving...
Messages to Designers of the Future
For the first time, I'm still in Savannah for the Savannah College of Art & Design graduation and the Graphic Design Department's "Secession" awards ceremony last week. I was thrilled...
Two More Fave Speakers from #HOWLive 2017
Last week I posted tweets and pics from 2 of my favorite speakers at HOW Design Live 2017. This week I'm posting two short excerpts from Maureen Adamo's beautifully written and...
How to Get Better Referrals QTMM 5/25/17
Does your mom understand what you do? If not, you’re not alone. I hear from a lot of designers and writers that their mom (or other relatives) don’t really get...
[Podcast] Experienced Newbie #4 - Entering the ...
Episode #319 of the Marketing Mentor Podcast: another "experienced newbie" tries something new "on the side" and on the 1 year anniversary of Maryland-based, Brand Joint, has a lot to show...
Two Fave Speakers from #HOWLive 2017
I'm almost back to normal following this year's amazing HOW Design Live in Chicago. It was 5 days of non stop networking and learning -- my 2 favorite things to...
[Video] Mike Rohde for HOW Design Live@SCAD, Se...
On April 28, I welcomed Mike Rohde, veteran print designer and the author of two bestselling books, The Sketchnote Handbook and The Sketchnote Workbook, for this year's 3rd HOW Design Live @...