Epiphany Marketing's Strategic Marketing Blog

Once in a while, we have to make room for the wacky humor of ye olde Epiphany crewe to get out in the open. Today’s post is a guest blog from one of the team we usually keep hidden away from the general public. Enjoy! – David

Today is considered a holiday by some and a distant memory of politically incorrect history by others. Whichever camp you’re in, everyone loves a reason to celebrate and add an extra fun spin on a regular old Monday.  I’ve searched for some suggestions on how to celebrate Columbus Day and here are a few of my favorites – with my added thoughts:

1. Read Stephen Vincent Benet’s poem, “Christopher Columbus.” Sure – poetry is always nice.

2. Go to your town’s Columbus Day parade. Our town doesn’t have one – but someone has to start these things – Hmmm.

3. Go sailing & sing sea chanteys “Just sit right back and you’ll hear a tale – a tale of a fateful trip…” Wait, that’s not the right one – Or, is it?

4. Dress up as Columbus or sea voyagers of that time period. This could be interesting.

5. Watch the 1992 movie 1492: Conquest of Paradise. Might be fun – bring the chocolate and tobacco or whatever you find lying around.

6. Take a virtual tour of “1492: An Ongoing Voyage,” an online exhibit of the Library of Congress. Could be engaging and informative.

7. Prepare a dinner based on standard seamen’s fare of the 15th century, such as salted fish, beef and pork; olive oil; molasses; cheese; honey; raisins; rice; garlic; almonds and dried legumes. Does pulled pork, mac & cheese & garlic bread at Sonny’s count? If so, I’m in!

8. Stage a skit based on the famous voyage. You’re the native.

9. Play a Columbus Day party game. Perhaps a new version of Duck, Duck, Goose – “Nina, Pinta, Santa Maria…Run!”

10. Come up with a really wild idea and try to get powerful people to fund it with promises of rich rewards. Huh, I think we have a winner! Any entrepreneurs out there?

Seriously, you could join the debates on why Christopher Columbus should be wiped out of history and his descendants should apologize and make restitution to… well, nobody really knows. Or, you could reflect on how history was changed because one person had the audacity to suggest ridiculous ideas that went against the accepted beliefs of the time. You could remember that great discoveries are never made while sitting on a couch (with the exception of the remote control, of course) and decide to set out on an adventure of your own. Or maybe, you could determine to make history yourself and change the world through your ideas, actions, finances, talents, areas of influence, etc. Just think about that for a moment.

Happy Columbus Day!

Google knows what’s on your mind.

This year’s Zeitgeist from Google proves it. In just under 3 minutes, the search giant manages to hit the major highlights for the entire year in a very visually-compelling way.

Obviously, all the big stories are here: Haiti, the Gulf Oil Spill, even the current Wikileaks story makes an appearance. But the entertaining stories like Antoine Dodson, the double rainbow guy and even the South African vuvuzela add some sizzle and remind us of the things that made us laugh this year.

While hitting the highlights of the year, Google manages to showcase not just its search engine, but Google Earth, Google Docs, Gmail, Google Voice and Google Chat are also woven into the story.

A fantastic example of entertaining and useful content marketing.

Although Thanksgiving as we celebrate it today is a distinctly American creation, we are grateful today for all of our clients, members & friends spread across the globe.

We appreciate you and wish every blessing of Thanksgiving for you today and every day of the year!

Today is actually the Feast of Epiphany, which gives me a great excuse to talk about why our company happens to share its name with the 12th Day of Christmas.  (If you, like the McKenzie Brothers, ever wondered, the 12 days run from Christmas Eve to Epiphany.)

First, a little background on the Greek word:

epiphaneia – lit. “upon appearing,” used to mean “manifestation”

We use it in English when we say, “I had an epiphany!” to mean, “the lights came on!”

In the early Eastern Church, they used the term to refer to the “manifestation” of the infant Jesus to the Magi when they visited from the Orient. He “appeared” to the Gentiles in that moment. Church tradition uses the word “epiphany” to refer to a manifestation or appearance of supernatural beings — in particular Jesus Himself.

From the start of this journey, I wanted to create “epiphanies” for people. Moments when the work that we do would cause information and circumstances to come together in just the right combination to cause people to suddenly “see” what they needed to see.

Have an Epiphany

This has dual meanings for us as it relates to what we do:

1. It is our mission to provide top-notch training and coaching to small businesses, to salespeople, and to anyone who needs to attract new customers and prospects. In that process, we want them to have moments where they suddenly “see” (sometimes for the first time) themselves and their businesses in the correct light. It’s a beautiful thing when this happens — it sparks life, creativity and energy. They get fired up about their own businesses in fresh ways… and they do a fantastic job of communicating once this happens. This results in their future customers and clients finding out about them! That is a thrill!
2. Secondarily, when we provide consulting services and do other strategic marketing work (such as corporate vision, strategy, onsite training, copywriting, web architecture, social media innovation, etc.), we want to produce work that creates “epiphanies” for the past, present and future customers of our clients. In other words, the work that we do should cause the lights to go on for the people that our clients are reaching out to…  so that they suddenly “see” and become raving lunatic evangelists for our clients.

Having been in this business for over 10 years now, I can tell you that there is absolutely nothing like watching somebody “get it.” It’s thrilling to be involved in helping to make it happen.

So… no matter what you’re celebrating today (I hope you’re celebrating something… after all, it’s a wonderful, brand-new day!), I hope you have an “epiphany” today.

And if you’re in business or in sales and you need to do a better job of attracting the people you want to do business with you, then keep your eyes on this space. It’s my mission in life to help you suddenly have that moment where you say, “Aha! That’s what I’ve been missing!”

P.S. If you’re starting a business or considering changing your name, I can’t recommend highly enough having a name that carries some personal significance to you. However… I can recommend that you name it something easy to spell!

We’ve met so many of you for the very first time this year in 2008, and let me say, “I’m glad we met!” At the same time, this year we’ve strengthened relationships with many of our long-time friends.

No matter how long we’ve known each other, we at Epiphany Marketing are truly thankful for you! May you and yours have a wonderful holiday weekend!

Because today is a special day. She’s given me the most spectacular 10 years I could’ve imagined. And somehow or the other… she still loves me.

Happy Anniversary, Baby!