Them kids are headin to the Chapel
This past friday, one of my really good friends, playing vehicle to the most creative minds I know, popped the question. Luckily for him, she said yes.
Congrats Ryan and Ashley. I can honestly say that I’ve never seen that kid more excited about anything in his life.
I know I’m joining the congratulations train a little late, but I do want you guys to know you’re in my prayers and I couldn’t be happier for the two of you.
Something about undeserving guys finding love in a super fly girl named Ashley. I feel you on that one Ryan.
Photo via Cheyenne Schultz. If you’ve got a sec, take a look around her site. She’s packing tons of talent behind that trigger finger.
It moved. I saw it.
Let me preface this by saying I’m laying in bed writing this because I won’t sleep until I can put this into words.
Every time fall rolls around it means that high school football sweeps across the southland with a passion second to none. Especially in smalltown South Carolina. For the past two years, for me, it’s meant that I pack up a wacky looking truck and head out on the road in search of some passionate teens and a desire to change the status quo in our state. It’s real, one on one conversations. Getting to know people, learning to listen, leaving an impression, and sweating. Lots and lots of sweating.
But you see, what I’m working with isn’t just a side show. It’s not just a sit around and hand out free stuff. It’s not just a showing up and being a presence thing. Rage Against the Haze is a movement. A living, breathing, infecting, sustaining, purpose driven, passion filled, teen led, growing movement.
Tonight, I saw it move.
I can’t even finish the sentence about why some fool with a camera and a bag full of foam footballs is standing in front of a group of high school cheerleaders before one screams out, “What’s rage?” This is the part that still has me awake. I can’t even begin to open my mouth before one of her comrades stops me in my tracks with the following: “Rage Against the Haze is South Carolina’s teen anti tobacco use movement. If you would come to the junior/senior meeting I could tell you about it and that we just hung up some posters in our school we made for them.” To which she turned to me with a high-five and said, “I’m a member”. High-five indeed.
That, is the fuel that keeps my fire lit. That, is how an idea is spread. That, is how a movement is sustained. That, is how lives are changed.
If there is a single doubt in your mind about the intensity, direction, and passion of the teens in todays world impacting those around them for good, I DARE you to come hang out with RAGE. See if we won’t change the world.
thoughts on my inbox
So I got an email the other day that got me thinking, and then tipped over the edge today. The first one came from one of our vendors.
Does your business need a boost? Does the economy have your sales, and spirits down? Do you wish you could market your products or services but don’t know who to market to? Do you want marketing that is relevant, personalized and measureable?
_____ has your _____ Personalized solution. We have put together one sweet introductory package with an unbeatable price that is bound to break that ROI ceiling.
Here is what you’ll be getting:
-4 points of demographics (i.e. age, gender, ethnicity, income) added to your lead list
-Complete creative and programming
-Full color 4X6 postcards:
-Printed in full color on both sides
-Includes a High Gloss UV Coating to protect it in the mail stream
-Addressed and delivered to the post office
-Supersize your cards to a 5.5X8.5 for only 12 cents more per lead!
Seriously? Maybe I’m a little biased because I’m surrounded by brilliance at work. But honestly, direct mail? Leads?
How about just create a remarkable business. Embded experiences that fascinate. Create some fans. Start a movement.
The term ROI just gets under my skin. That “ceiling” you’re aiming for could be the one of the floor beneath you.
The other day as I was walking to the trash with a handfull of junk mail, the thought of entering a contest flashed through my noggin. Not because whatever the contest was intrigued me, but I figure that fewer and fewer people even take notice so that soon you’ll be the only one standing in a parking lot trying to start a car with a “random key”. Just my thoughts, no purchase neccessary.
Oh and this one:
Subject line: Your Next Girls’ Night Could Make you a winner! Evite, you missed your target demographic on that one. Guess I’m not destined to be a winner. Drats.
