Marketing is serious business, and you should always be serious about serious business. Yeah, right…

Logan Crawford portrays a comical news anchor in a series of TV commercials for AT&T’s the Backflip, from Motorola. Crawford is seen “reporting the news that’s important to you…” with impeccable sources such as Facebook and Twitter. The key feature of the Motorola Backflip is advertised as “Facebook, Twitter, text and more, streaming on a single screen.”

The commercial spoofs the common absurdity of social media posts with lines like, “This just in via text message and wall post: “The search is on for cute boots.” Another line reads, “This just in on Twitter and Facebook: A local bachelor has just enrolled in Karate.”

Here’s the paradox; so many social media posts are trivial dribble – and AT&T is using that fact to SELL. We buy from companies that get us to laugh at ourselves. The question is simple; do you take yourself a little too seriously in your marketing and sales presentations. The work of an advisor is serious business, but too often advisors treat every recommendation as if they are a doctor telling a patient they have terminal cancer. As a professional it is perfectly acceptable lighten up, use a little humor, and let your clients see you are real, even when you are making important recommendations. Don’t try to be a comedian, just relax and be yourself.

Good selling!

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE AT&T COMMERCIAL

Often people hear me say that I may be wrong, but I’n NEVER in doubt. Earlier this year, I started to Tweet on Twitter at www.twitter.com/michaelroby . After seeing others tweet about what time the got up in the morning, or the weather in wherever-they-are, ot the song on the radio at the present time, I made a corporate decision: NOT FOR ME!

However, a marketing strategist suggested I reconsider that position. She said I SHOULD Tweet, but confine my comments to sales ideas, and philosophies on sales, with an occasional musing on life that supports our roles and activities in selling.

I agreed to reengage. I was wrong. So please consider following me on Twitter@michaelroby. I promise not to drone on about the events of the day that are largely noise. My hope is to offer ideas and insriration that help you become even more important to those you choose to serve.

Good selling!