DISQUS

Withnail · 1 year ago

Looking forward to watching this later.
Yes, I saw the last 6 (last week).
You had a great week, here and on WLTV.
Hope you continue feeling it/find the time.

cgatesman · 1 year ago

Brilliant, Gary!

Man, you're really going to get me back to blogging one of these days...

I like your comments about it being a "recession proof mechanism". That really makes a lot of sense, and may become more and more of a factor for people with the way our economy goes. I'd like to see you elaborate on that in the future. I think there is more that can be said about that. Web 2.0 replacing the traditional resume/CV...

Canadian Chris · 1 year ago

Secondary markets, good to think about. But are people watching baseball because of fantasy leagues? Dunno. So why are people in fantasy leagues? Because of the sport? Hmm. Chicken/egg. I personally think there's something deeper going on here that is really what you want to tap into, not just as a cool guy with value to add to the marketplace, but as a human on this chunk of rock spinning around in space.

Mike · 1 year ago

So true, you have to be everywhere in order to get somewhere.

Alexander Drewniak · 1 year ago

Really good video and some really valid and important points, especially on brand equity.

Love it!

Miloš · 1 year ago

Never underestimate the power of unexpected brand awareness. Often we avoid certain markets as we can't see the clear connection and benefit which is a totally wrong approach. People in that particular market might have a need that our company can fill without us even realizing it.

Don't get me wrong there are some markets in which you probably shouldn't advertise, but they are limited to particular "industries." ;) Overall, getting as much exposure as possible is generally a good thing.

Tim Letscher · 1 year ago

Great insight today. Attending SXSW this year hammered home the importance of exactly what you're talking about. There's a network out there that's untapped by most people, like the safety net to cushion a potential downtime.

As for the NFL, they nailed the fantasy thing perfectly. This past Christmas, it was a main topic of conversation with cousins whom I'd never guess had interest in football. I mean, how else can you get good ratings for a Cardinals vs 49ers game unless you had fantasy teams?

Well done, Gary.

Chuck Reynolds · 1 year ago

Amen! And everybody laughed at me going onto every social network and site that is upcoming... search Google for Chuck Reynolds right now. I own it now, 4 months ago - not so much.

Well said Gary - thx for spreadin the news!

Cheers

Keith · 1 year ago

Great insights Gary - you've encouraged me to think about things differently and have inspired me to build my personal brand. Thanks!

sandieman · 1 year ago

[viddler_video=142270b9]

Michael Cacek · 1 year ago

I've been trying to convince people of this for a long time. It's all about getting people to associate you with the things you want them to and putting your name out there. It doesn't matter how great you think you are, it all comes down to public perception.

Sasha Fornari · 1 year ago

so so true. i love the Q: "which social networks should i be in now?" A: "all of them dummy!"

lol right on.

KAHUNA · 1 year ago

I do not know anyone except for you that is a serious fantasy baseball player- I am not a fan of fantasy sports period- I have done WLtv forum fantasy baseball(and co champ- I might add)with all of 1 move made for the year.

I will not watch a Giants game with a fantasy football player person thing- it makes me sick when they root for other players on other teams.

BTW! the 29th rocked!

Social Brian · 1 year ago

Gary, it's always been true in business that 'your reputation precedes you.' Today you call it 'personal brand,' but it's the same concept. The twist is, the internet has made it possible to virally distribute your reputation around the world. Also, the potential for personalization makes it more difficult to get away with being rude or cheating in one-off transactions where you never expect to see the other person again. Now, all that stuff sticks with you. So one side of things is obviously self-promotion, and you're dealing with that on this blog. The other side is how you respond to and deal with other people trying to do the same thing. Every transaction has to be handled with care now. Should I friend someone or not? Should I "favorite" them or not? Should I link them here, or there? Should everything be open, or is there still value in certain walled gardens? If you have thoughts on the other side of Let's Play 2, I'd be curious to hear them.

Kathleen Lisson · 1 year ago

I totally agree, Gary.
I am a CSW, but direct the local Gourmet Food meetup. Wine and Food go together, so gourmet food lovers are open to advice about wine pairing.
Also, Meetup is a HUGE opportunity for business owners who aren't as large as WL to form a community around their products. You have enough fans to populate a message board just from the show going viral.
How can a bricks and mortar small town small business find and interact with customers?
Open a Meetup group and offer customers your knowledge for free.
I can't believe more businesses aren't taking advantage of Meetup to provide opportunity engage their customers.

Kathleen Lisson

Ryne Nelson · 1 year ago

Gary, you absolutely *killed* this post. So much for coming back slow on Monday...excellent stuff! A fantasy basketball guy, this message really hits home. I makes sure to market my product to the NBA fantasy leaguers just as much as I do to the regular NBA fans (and there aren't very many of them -- as you said *everyone* plays fantasy).

Thanks for the great posts. I can't wait for the next!

By the way, are you a Celtics, Nets, or Knicks fan...or Wizards, or Sixers? =)

Ben F · 1 year ago

I love your business lessons they are awesome!@!!

Mark · 1 year ago

Oh yes. Well said Gary. It's also worth noting that it took the NFL many years to embrace fantasy football (like 8 or 9) and rotisserie baseball's been around even longer.

Point being that it's not too late to get connected online. Go now. Right now. Go!

Bobby B · 1 year ago

Are you suggesting fantasy wine cellar?

brantc · 1 year ago

Great ideas! Thanks for the motivation!

Smith MBA · 1 year ago

Gary is an idea machine. If you are awesome and nobody knows, does it matter? You can only sell something if they know you exist.

I questions the secondary markets idea. It could lead to a lack of focus but I am all over the place anyway so maybe not a bad idea.

Seth Nenstiel · 1 year ago

Interesting, however, I don't follow baseball, football, or any of the mainstream sports. But hey, I do drink coke.

Greg Rollett · 1 year ago

So true about the Social Networks. But do your research before you just waste time importing the same info over and over again. If the market is right, go for it. Also remember to spread the same message over all the networks, this includes photos, links, marketing material and overall feel/layout and message. Brand yourself baby, its one big marketing campaign and its starring you, your ideas and your expertise, whatever that may be!

Eric Doerr · 1 year ago

He's not trying to say people 'watch' certain sports because of fantasy teams. He is saying people 'follow them more closely' because of fantasy teams. For Gary, he knows more baseball players than other sports because he plays fantasy baseball. It is an under appreciated way to market players, which then he links to personal marketing and goes on from there. It's a great point.

Great video again Gary, keep 'em coming!

Little Lou · 1 year ago

GV
good show man
i love the fantasy reference
you guys need 2 start a mixed league
i will kill all of you guys lol just kidding gary
you r guna win at least 1 league
but shhhh dont tell my dad lol

Judson Collier · 1 year ago

Gary,

Awesome video.

Only comment is on how destroying a brand is harder than building one. Yeah, in some cases this is true, but a prime example otherwise is AOL. They we're huge in the 90's, but their bad service all-around ruined their brand.

cherylsmith · 1 year ago

Love the thoughts on this video. Watched with my 10-year old son. He gets it.

He also asked me to forward the link to his English teacher. Evidently, he found strength in knowing others get off topic too. LOL!

Greg · 1 year ago

Wedding registry--good idea! it's still a small space, and when I axed you to put it together for me and my wedding last year, you tried, but di'nt have the infrastructure. It's a great niche though, I agree--I wound up setting up my own list online through my own website, and having people call in to my local wine store (they're boutique, and have great taste).

Tommy Vernieri · 1 year ago

I think the wedding wine recommendation business would be a great idea. WL could do something where they sell engaged couples a mixed case or half-case of wines that are generally agreeable to a wide range of wedding guests so that the couple could try them out first an pick their favorites. Throw in free shipping with an order of two cases or more and I think that would work for everyone.

If you really wanted to kill it you could even offer to accept returns of unopened bottles (or maybe just unopened half-cases). It seems very hard to judge just how much people are going to drink and a lot of times wine that's in budget and a crowd pleaser is not something where a new couple wants to end up having two extra cases lying around. One selling point that some caterers have is that they charge per bottle opened rather than making you guess how much wine is going to be consumed.