Good content marketing oftentimes requires companies to go out on a limb. And they call it “going out on a limb” for a reason. It’s risky, uncharted territory, and it wouldn’t be all too surprising if you fell. Below, you’ll find some companies that… well… fell. Check out these failed content marketing campaigns, the error, and – most importantly – the lesson for you. Amazon & The Hunger Games The Campaign: Last August, Amazon debuted a billboard featuring the opening page from the final book in the Hunger Games trilogy. This piece of content marketing was supposed to show off the Kindle’s typeface and help reinforce Amazon’s position as a leader in the pop-lit world. The Error: The first page has major spoilers for readers who haven’t completed the first two books. The Lesson: Just because you can do something impressive, it doesn’t mean that you … [Read more...]

“Content.” The buzzword of 21st century marketing. But what is content marketing exactly? Check out these 11 definitions from around the web, starting with everyone’s favorite dictionary… “Content marketing is any marketing format that involves the creation and sharing of media and publishing content in order to acquire customers.” - Wikipedia “Content marketing is a marketing technique of creating and distributing relevant and valuable content to attract, acquire, and engage a clearly defined and understood target audience – with the objective of driving profitable customer action.” and “Basically, content marketing is the art of communicating with your customers and prospects without selling. It is non-interruption marketing.” - Content Marketing Institute “Storytelling for Sales.” - Push Social “Content marketing is a pull, rather … [Read more...]

It’s my guess that P.T. Barnum would have found the internet, no pun intended, to be a wild and outlandish circus of advertising opportunity. You may not have much respect for his “Feejee” mermaid or the worker exploitations ol’ Phineas Taylor Barnum may have been guilty of, but when it comes to marketing, few 19th century Americans deserve more respect. “The desire for wealth is nearly universal, and none can say it is not laudable, provided the possessor of it accepts its responsibilities, and uses it as a friend to humanity.” You might be surprised to learn that P.T. Barnum was actually quite the philanthropist. However, Barnum wasn’t just shelling out cash for whatever “good cause” hit him up. Instead, he was very interested in giving philanthropically when it also benefited him. He was quoted on the matter: “[…] if […] I can do so at a profit, the incentive … [Read more...]