It’s Official – Blah, Blah, Blah is on the Rise
Tuesday - January 6, 2009The pitch for his webinar landed in my inbox on Christmas Eve. It came from a Facebook “friend” (you know the type). It promised me “5 simple steps to permanently reduce my blah, blah, blah.” And that’s not all…
Just this morning my inbox had: “This 3-day conference is a valuable and unique forum that will advance my blah, blah, blah.”
And, Twitter is ripe with it: “Blah, blah, blah so sign up for my emag” came across my screen just minutes ago.
Yes, it’s official. Blah, blah, blah is definitely on the rise. In fact, it’s reached epidemic proportions. Which is where Terri Langhans comes in. It’s her stated goal to wipe marketing and advertising blather from the face of the earth (or at least give it the old college try).
She says she can’t remember a time when she wasn’t working in marketing or advertising. She’s the former CEO of a national ad agency and marketing firm – and did we mention that after starting that agency from scratch, she sold it for jillions?
She’s also the author of 7 Marketing Mistakes Every Business Makes & How to Fix Them, has won a CLEO, an EFFIE and is a CSP (that’s Certified Speaking Professional). And, yes, she’s the driving force behind her current company, Blah Blah Blah Etc., Inc.
No one cares about you and your boring business
What did we learn from Terri when we spoke to her on the phone this week? We learned that our Facebook “friend” wasn’t marketing. We also learned that we aren’t marketing (even when we try) and (you’re not going to like this) that you aren’t marketing worth a dime, either.
If you want to cure that problem you need to come to Denver this Friday for the NSA Colorado monthly chapter meeting (that’s National Speakers Association, by the way – not the National Security Agency).
Terri told us that “No one wakes up wanting to get a sales pitch.” And, “if you want to be different, you can’t do what everyone else does – like pound your chest and invade as many inboxes as you can.”
If that sounds like advice you’ve heard before – well, think about it. How many people do you know who practice being different? And how much chest pounding is cramming into your inbox?
Terri Fearlessly Predicts the Super Bowl Winner
She also hinted to us, without revealing her sources, that this Friday she’ll reveal just exactly who is going to win the upcoming Super Bowl.
But heck, we’ll spill the beans right now. The winner of the Super Bowl will be…___________…YOU! But, only if you come to Friday afternoon’s meeting. Yes, Terri will let you in on how you can get the same results as those big companies get when they spend millions on their 30 seconds of commercial fame.
No matter what – when Terri gets onstage you won’t get any blah, blah, blah. So, get ready to take notes furiously as you find out what kinds of things you can do to Stand out from the Herd, Get Better Results and Wrangle More Business!
Note: The NSA Colorado January meeting is from 2 PM to 6 PM on January 9. It’s held at the Denver Athletic Club and full details can be found at the NSA Colorado Web Site. Speaking with Terri Langhans (what, she’s not enough for you?!!) is Joseph Michelli, author of the book, The New Gold Standard: 5 Leadership Principles for Creating a Legendary Customer Experience Courtesy of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. He’ll be speaking on the topic of how to create short and snappy book titles. Sorry, just couldn’t resist. Seriously, he’ll be sharing ideas on how speakers can achieve greater differentiation from competitors and create a better brand. Either speaker would be worth the price of admission, but with both of them – this Friday’s meeting is a steal.
So, blah, blah, blah, you want me to come to the seminar huh?
Will you rewrite this post after Terri’s presentation? That would be a great learning exercise. I look forward to it.
Hi Jim,
For those reading this blog – there is not a nicer guy in the NSA than Jim Canterucci (and we don’t even know him!). We’ve called him twice to ask about different topics and he’s always given us his time, patience and wisdom.
And yes Jim, we will write about what Terri tells us – and we’ll Twitter about it, too. Thanks for the comment.
Blah, blah, freaking blah. Please do not miss this special event with Terri. She is one of those rare diamonds in NSA and one of the smartest whips around when it comes to marketing. Her down-to-earth style is a welcome relief from all the hype in business land, and her knack for creativity is second to none. She also looks great in rock n’ roll attire. Terri Rocks! -From another member of the NSA Rocks! band.
Thanks Mark,
Who truly did reveal his inner Rock Star this past year when he was President of the entire rockin’ NSA. Great job – and thanks for being in the picture – the one on Terri’s left (your right).
Terri Langhans spoke at the NSA-Heartland chapter last fall and she knocked our socks off. Members and guests didn’t just that that Terri’s message was good (which they did say), but many thought her insights and ideas were so good that they began to set up mastermind meetings to work on the sensible, common sense suggestions that Terri provided. All this — and she’s a good speaker too.
Thanks Chuc,
And so far no one has mentioned that when she talks about her “adventures in technology” she’s as funny as Dave Barry, Ellen Goodman or me! Good to know there still is a “Heartland!” Thanks Chuc.
If you want to start of 2009 with a bang I implore you to attend this event. Terri is one of the most engaging presenters I have ever watched. But wait! There’s more!
You will leave with ideas that will change the way you do business. I think with the economic downturn you can’t afford not try new ways to do business. You will leave with your head spinning with ideas.
Go…seriously…go! What are you waiting for?
Great note, Laurie,
We actually haven’t seen her speak, yet, but we’ve spent some time with her and we agree. And, believe me, we all could use a bang up start in 2009. Thanks for the comment.
Terri who? Never heard of the woman.
Okay, seriously, anyone who can sport that
many hair styles and look good in every one, is not
BLAH. We had lunch together
the other day and she gave me a great marketing
idea between bites of her low calorie, lactose free
carrot stick. And we weren’t even talking about marketing! She’s smart, savvy and insightful.
Please, go to her seminar- because really, no one does care about your boring business.
Terri is The Bomb! (in a good way). She has DEFINITELY had an influence on me, truly. I go around saying, “Let’s stop breathing our own exhaust” and “marketing isn’t something you just sit down and DO” and my coworkers want to kill me and I don’t care! She’s fantastic to listen to andn I have hired her several times now.
OK– not only is Ms.BLAH BLAH a marketing genius (I’ve used her talents) but YOU are a fabulous writer. That’s some of the most compelling copy I’ve read in centuries… yes I am Bennitta Button– just started out old but now– Terri has made me YOUNG…. If only I could come from CALIF. I would.
No one should miss this !
OK, now we’re getting somewhere! Molly’s never heard of her and Emily says she bombs. A little perspective, thank you!
Seriously, Molly, I wanna’ know where we can get some of those carrot sticks. And, Emily, there are just too many ways to follow-up on your comment, but discretion advises…Bottom line, don’t let your co-workers kill you. Terri doesn’t want that!
Terri’s the best … you can’t go wrong with her. I’m forever grateful … she “made” me take on my new byline and I love her for it. She said, “Ann, if you don’t use it, I’m going to sell it to someone else .. it’s that good.” Well, who can argue with that.
You’re gonna love her.
Ann “when you want things to be different” Fry
Hi Ann,
We’re going to stalk her when she’s in Denver and try to get something like that out of her for us – we’ve tried to come up with it – that’s why we need her! Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Terri is fantastic and will give you the straight talk, without all the blah..blah..blah! She was one of the favorite speakers at our Central Florida chapter last year and I am still using much of what she shared with us. If you want to make an impact on your customer base and truly stand out… attend Terri’s seminar! She’s talented and has a gift for sharing information you can use.. blah, blah, blah!
Terri and I spoke at the same healthcare marketing conference a few years ago. She was ranked as the number one speaker at the conference. I was ranked third. My ego was crushed but with the help of a very skilled therapist and a refillable bottle of Prozac, I’m now able to talk about it. So, regardless of whether there was an error in the ranking system at that conference or not, Terri knows her stuff. If I lived in Colorado or one of those other square states, I’d be there on Friday in a heartbeat.
Thanks Monica and Ron,
All the way from Florida by way of the Internet blog comment! There must be something “contagious” in Terri’s message.
Ron, we know how you feel. We think we have a handle on treating technology with the disrespect it deserves, but when Terri does her Ellen Goodman imitation, we pale beside her. Go Prozac!
Terri spoke to a group of pediatric Health Information Management professionals that I facilitate. I know. Could the content GET any drier (That really is a word. I looked it up.)? The group asked me to find a speaker who could help them reenergize. Well, let me tell you – Terri was the absolute perfect choice. She is witty, high-spirited, whip smart and infectious, in the best kind of way. Attendee comments about Terri’s session included: “great session,” “I was REALLY impressed…,” “extremely valuable,” and “FABULOUS!”
You can’t go wrong with Terri. She’s a firecracker!
Am I the only one who hasn’t seen/heard Terri yet? Stomping out business blather and crappy advertising are topics close to my heart, and I can’t wait to see Terri take them on.
I know Terri is has great info to share, but I’m even more excited about Joseph Michelli. He’s figured out a way to grow his business dramatically in the past 5 years writing best selling books about what others are doing. He’s brilliant. See you on Friday.
Hey Scott,
We’ve figured out a way to make a couple of blogs out of writing about other people! That’s not good enough for you?!!
But, truly, good point. 90% of blogs (and even books) about about the people who write them. Now, that’s blah, blah, blah for you.
Thanks also, Karen and Margaret,
Management professionals, huh?! I don’t know – I think all of us are a bit challenged these days when it comes to reenergizing. I think we’re all in the same boat – accountants, astronauts, management, even Scott Friedman (and he’s coming for the other guy!).
And, Margaret, no, you are not the only one who hasn’t heard or seen Terri – the comments on here are from an internationally famous and carefully chosen group of groupies. But, hey, you look like Joan Jett, Pat Benatar and Reba -you get groupies!