Tag: marketing strategy
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AI Slop? Maybe We’re Asking the Wrong Question
I’ve been seeing a lot of discussion lately about “AI slop.” You know what I’m talking about. Generic articles. Endless LinkedIn posts. Blogs that all sound the same. Some people insist they can spot AI writing a mile away. Maybe they can. But I wonder if we’re asking the wrong question. The question isn’t whether…
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The One-Star Guy Doesn’t Matter
Every business owner remembers the bad review. Not the fifty glowing ones from the same week. The one-star review. You know the one… “Food was fantastic. Service was friendly. Parking was difficult. ★☆☆☆☆” Or… “Everything was perfect. It rained and were soaked when we got there. ★☆☆☆☆” There’s always one. The funny thing is, that…
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The Difference Between Marketing and Communications
Companies and organizations often use the terms marketing and communications interchangeably. They shouldn’t. While the two disciplines overlap, they serve different purposes. Understanding the difference can help organizations solve the right problems and avoid investing in tactics when what they really need is clarity. When something isn’t working, the conversation often starts with marketing. “We…
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why strategy matters before tactics
Too often, organizations jump straight to tactics: “We need a new website.”“We need social media.”“We need a logo refresh.” Maybe. But those are tools – not strategy. The real questions come first:• Who are you trying to reach?• What do you want them to understand?• Why should they care?• What action should they take? When…
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Reno Doesn’t Have a Branding Problem. It Has an Identity Problem.
Reno keeps trying to solve an identity question with branding. For decades, we’ve leaned on “The Biggest Little City in the World,” a line that speaks to size, not substance. Today, ask what Reno is and you’ll get a dozen answers. Tech hub, outdoor basecamp, college town, casino legacy. Everything, and nothing at once. The…
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Perception is the Price Tag
In today’s cocktail culture, a drink can run anywhere from $12 to $20. Are the ingredients different? Of course. Do they cost more? Definitely. But here’s the reality: most guests don’t know what’s in the glass. They don’t know the rare amaro, the house-made syrup, the split-base spirit, or the five touches it took to…
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Marketing Doesn’t Fix a Bad Experience | Lessons for Northern Nevada Businesses
When a business struggles in Northern Nevada, the explanation usually sounds familiar. Rent is too high. Costs went up. The economy shifted. People aren’t going out as much. And sometimes those things are true. But often, the response inside the business sounds like this: We need better marketing. More advertising. More social media. A rebrand.…
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Pricing isn’t about math. It’s about perception.
People will happily order a $17 cocktail without blinking.Then question a $14 sandwich. That moment has nothing to do with logic. When someone orders a cocktail at a well-designed bar, they’re not paying for ingredients. They’re paying for the room, the light, the glass, the music, the confidence behind the bar. They’re paying for the…
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Good Logos Do More Than Look Good
A Logo Reality Check for Place-Based and Local Brands If your business is rooted in a place, your logo has a harder job than most. It has to live online and offline at the same time. On a sign out front. On a menu. On social media. On Google Maps. On a sticker, a flyer,…
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What’s Ahead In 2026
As we close out 2025, the marketing landscape is already whispering what’s next. If you’re thinking about how brands and local businesses can cut through noise in 2026, here are a few trends I see tipping into the mainstream – especially here in Reno–Tahoe. Hyper-Local Storytelling WinsNational campaigns still matter, but the brands that connect…