Author: Steven Parker | Website | Twitter

Articles by Steven Parker:

• The REAL Gobbledygook Words

  Gobbledygook terms are one of many current examples of what I call imaginary bogeyman punching bags. These handy targets allow anyone to take a whack at them in order to prop themselves up and look like a hero. Politicians do this all day long. Instead of taking a position on issues or stating their differences vs. their opponent, they run against some vague, generalized and/or fictitious evils like “government waste” or “immigration.” (How does one run against immigration? It’s like running against osmosis.)

  Has there ever been a list of words that “thou shalt not use” that was taken seriously?

• Take Marketing Risks? Yes. But Without Assessing Them First? Never!

  Whether we admit it or not, marketers today struggle with risk.  Increasingly, we act irrationally and wonder whether it’s good or bad.  We’re confused by the mixed signals we get about business risk and probability.  What exactly is a rational marketing decision? After all, you can’t simultaneously squeeze more from the budget on one hand and bet the farm on a 500-to-1 shot with the other.

• Under The Surface Of Twitter Permission Issues

  If a tree falls in the forest, and no one’s there to hear it, does it make a sound? If you repeat a tweet, and no one receives it more than once, is it still spam?

  It’s time to take a closer look at Twitter spam. How is Twitter currently defining spam? Setting aside account hacks and DM spam that are clearly more about security than permission, the major area Twitter has chosen to regulate is repeat tweets. Violating Twitter’s spam policy can get you banned. Continue Reading

• A Marketer’s 2010 New Year’s Resolutions

  The Marketing Dissector has been thinking about New Year’s resolutions for 2010. Once a year, it helps to remind ourselves of the important things, like long-term goals and principles to live and work by. Some ideas that make us better marketers do not involve tips, tricks, or tactics. In this time of rapid change and experimentation, any idea or practice that helps us be better learners—and teachers—is a winner. With that in mind, here are my New Year’s resolutions. Continue Reading