[Note from the Proprietor: In case you're wondering what it's all about, well, we're smack in the middle of BLOGAPALOOZA! Hey, you're welcome to join in the fun if you like! All ya gotta do is click that cute little link and read all about it!]

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Guest post by Drew McLellan who writes over at Drew’s Marketing Minute

January: M&M capitalizes on a myth

Bravo to M&M/Mars for recognizing that you can’t rein in your brand and sometimes, you just have to go with the flow. In this case, they made the most of an urban legend. And they did it brilliantly!

February: Surprise!

One of the most effective marketing tactics is to surprise your customers. It gets their attention and gives them a story to tell about you. Read a quick case study on the impact of surprise.

March: 4 tips for writing a strong case study

Practical, detailed tips that will take your case studies from yawn to YOW!

April: Are you really going to buy something from me?

You get a call or an e-mail. You resist the urge to jump up and down. Boy, this one sounds good. They fit your client profile and they contacted you. Their buying signals are flashing like the Bat Signal in the sky they’re so blatant. But are they really going to buy?

May: If your company won’t embrace social media, watch out…

A brief post with a thought-provoking video that I guarantee you will share with at least one other person.

June: Tim Russert – a lesson in branding

I was stunned and deeply saddened by the death of Tim Russert. As I followed all the news and commentary on his life and death, I was struck by how important he/his brand had become to me over the years. A wonderful lesson in personal branding.

July: And now, a word from our sponsor

Probably the most important message I delivered in all of 2008.

August: The most brilliant outdoor campaign ever

Read about an outdoor campaign that broke every rule…and captured more media attention and consumer response than any outdoor campaign I have ever known about. I love this creative. Plenty of social media messaging lessons in this post as well.

September: Your cobbler’s kids should have kick a** shoes!

This is me on a little rant about how “consultants” can just hang up a shingle and claim expertise, thanks to the internet. And how if they can’t deliver whatever they sell for themselves, perhaps you should re-think hiring them.

October: Who is turning off your customers?

A compelling case study of how quickly one employee can drive a customer right into the arms of your competitor. Do you really know what happens when a customer walks in your door or calls on the phone?

November: The best way to grow your business

So you want more customers? Happier customers? Customers who rave about you to others? How about bigger sales per transaction? More repeat business? Fewer complaints?  Less down time? The answer to all of those desires…happy employees.

December: Juicy words stimulate the senses and the urge to buy

Juicy words. Succulent words. Words that add both a flavor and a sound (or smell, or vivid visual) to your copy. You know what I’m talking about. Ad copy or a letter that you have to read out loud to someone. It’s almost musical.

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Drew McLellan helps clients create authentic love affairs with their customers.  He blogs at Drew’s Marketing Minute, is an author and speaker and owns a marketing agency in the Midwest.

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[Further note from the Proprietor: Hey, if you're interested in having your own "best of 2008" posts highlighted right here at the Middle Zone, then by all means, click on this link: (BLOGAPALOOZA: What I Learned From 2008) and read all about it! BLOGAPALOOZA will be open for entries from now until Sunday, January 25.]

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