Today I am so excited to have Scott Miller back on the podcast to talk about marketing and branding, some of my favorite things! I really love the way Scott puts his books together, broken into 30 chapters with great, brain-friendly tips that you can begin implementing one day at a time. Essentially, the thought is that you can take a month and learn one lesson each day to uplevel in that particular area.

As you’ll hear more in the conversation, this is the second book in a planned series of 10; the first of which Scott discussed Management Mess to Leadership Success last time he was on the show. Today is about going from Marketing Mess to Brand Success, plus a funny story about a popular product that was originally called the “I-Suck” – can you guess what it is? Hear the answer and learn more about Scott and his work in the show.

• [00:06] In today’s episode I’m very delighted to bring back Scott Miller of Franklin Covey.
• [01:17] Today is about going from a marketing mess to brand success. 
• [04:15] Scott shares more about who he is and what he does. He is a 25 year associate of the Franklin Covey Company. 
• [05:00] Today, we focus on Marketing Mess to Brand Success – the second of a ten-book series. 
• [05:56] If you have something to say, write a book. Your book has not been written until you have written your book. 
• [07:44] Scott’s books are very practical and they all follow the same format with 30 challenges. The chapters are very intentionally breezy and short. 
• [09:14] There is enormous power in teaching through your messes. 
• [10:38] Scott shares his favorite marketing messes from the book. 
• [12:51] A lesson he learned is that you can’t control all the outcomes of a marketing campaign. He shares some of the lessons he has learned in his book. 
• [14:49] Melina shares her own funny story from a marketing campaign she was part of. 
• [17:25] It’s The Customer, Stupid is the first challenge in his book. As a marketer, you have to be the voice of the customer. 
• [18:55] The best salesperson isn’t the person who has committed their third-quarter goal to memory, they’ve committed their client’s third-quarter goal to memory.

“The best salesperson isn’t the one who has committed their third-quarter goal to memory, they’ve committed their CLIENT’S third-quarter goal to memory.” – @scottmillerj1 #marketingmess #brandstrategy Click To Tweet

• [20:07] We tend to market the way we like to be marketed to. Don’t always do what you like and know best. It may not always be the right vehicle. 
• [22:34] Marketers need to be close to the cash. 
• [23:27] A marketer’s number one job is to generate revenue-paying clients. 
• [26:38] There is a massive difference between facts and your feelings, emotions, and opinions. 
• [27:48] As marketers have you done your research? Do you know what circumstance your client is in or are you guessing?
• [29:38] What you say are the facts might just be your own biases creeping in because you are so passionate about your idea. 
• [30:22] 93% of organizations achieve success with an emergent strategy, not their deliberate strategy. They often have to pivot and search for new opportunities. 
• [32:02] It is important to speak your customers’ language. 
• [33:15] The biggest messaging mistake people make is that they tell their story. They don’t tell a story that their client can find themselves in. 
• [36:01] Never forget you have two buyers. You have an internal and external buyer. 
• [37:58] Marketing is very reactive. Branding is this touchstone and is proactive. 
• [39:35] You have to build a brand and earn a brand with some of the outcomes of your marketing efforts. You need to have a strong marketing strategy that helps you build revenue and a brand. 
• [40:07] Your brand is a result of this: did you make and keep a promise? Brands are hard to build. 
• [41:19] Scott shares his story about a brand being a memory with Ralph Lauren.
• [44:51] Melina shares her closing thoughts. 
• [45:47] Melina’s first book, What Your Customer Wants and Can’t Tell You is officially available on Amazon, Bookshop, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, and Booktopia.