Dear Reader,
This week it happened.
The thing I dreaded but was afraid to put into words, even in my head.
One of my best friends got the coronavirus (aka: COVID-19).
Even worse, he wound up in a local hospital. Although the good news is that he doesn’t need oxygen.
While I pray for his full recovery,
Part of me is really, really angry with him!
Why am I so pissed at him when he’s sick?
Because he ignored the official warnings to stay home and shelter in place!
Instead of cancelling his annual March vacation to Florida, he left just as the rate of COVID cases in the New York metro area was increasing.
As a point of reference, my husband and I were already staying at home. Further, MLB’s Spring Training—part of his reason for going—was already suspended.
And, despite an invitation to stay with his Florida friends, he took another flight back to the New York metro area a week later.
By the time I spoke with him about 5 days after he returned, he complained that he didn’t feel well but had no fever. A few days later, I heard that he was in the hospital.
Why am I sharing this story?
Because it underscores how easily we let ourselves believe that all of the COVID-19 precautions don’t apply to us.
I get it.
Most of the time, my friend is one of the most rational people I know.
Since I have asthma and that puts me at higher risk for coronavirus, I started taking major COVID-19 precautions a week before my husband accepted they were necessary. And we watch the same news programs and read similar news outlets.
BUT, as Jonah Berger outlines in his latest book, The Catalyst:
People don’t like to be told what to do!
And, the harder you push the more they hold tight to their position
Therefore to change people’s minds, you need to take another approach. It doesn’t matter if it’s your CEO, your boss, your staff, your customers or your mother!
Jonah recommends using the REDUCE Framework.
And, yes, I read Jonah’s book. It provides a guide for anyone who needs to change people’s minds during our divided times.
RECOMMENDED READING:
Looking to improve your marketing skills while practicing social distancing?
Then check out Jonah Berger’s Viral Marketing Course. (It’s free!)
RECOMMENDED READING:
- 5 Ways To Make Your Photos Go Viral (based on Berger’s Research
- Jonah Berger Interview For Contagious
Take advantage of social distancing to increase your creativity.
Why?
When your mind has less options, it is free to try new ways of doing things.
In the words of Marissa Mayer, the former CEO of Yahoo:
“Constraints shape and focus problems and provide clear challenges to overcome. Creativity thrives best when constrained.”
Instead of feeling limited by what’s in your home, use these constraints to consider new options.
For example:
Since we couldn’t go out for my husband’s birthday this weekend, I had to brainstorm other ways to celebrate.
Further, I wanted the activity to be:
- Fun and make my husband feel special,
- Easy to do so our family and friends would participate, and
- Work across time zones.
So, I sent emails to our friends and asked them to email or call him on his birthday.
It worked really well. People kept calling him all day!
BUT:
I forgot the cardinal marketing communications rule: Proofread before hitting send.
So I emailed our friends the wrong mobile number due to a typo.
OOPS!
So my challenge for you:
How can you increase your creativity in at least one area of your life?
RECOMMENDED READING:
Shoutout to new readers: Whyso, Belinda, Kat, Frazer, Easy, Jr, David, Max, Lynne, Tara, Annabel, Japhet, Max, Cecilia, Chasity, JoTalbot, Anne-Laure and Brighton .
Welcome and thank you for joining our community.
Please stay healthy and safe.
Happy Marketing,
Heidi
FEATURED ARTICLE: How To Declutter Your Digital Life
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Why bother?
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(Note: Changing just the headline can improve results!)
FEATURED ARTICLE: Career Challenges For Women In Marketing
In honor of International Women’s Day, see what these 30+ marketers suggest to get ahead in your career.
This article also includes research and data to help you make your case to your boss!
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Heidi Cohen Around The Web
Heidi Cohen was selected as a Top Marketer by Foundation Inc in their list of 70+ Marketers You Need To Follow On Twitter Today
Use this list to fill your Twitter feed! It has some super smarties on it!
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