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Marketing Tips In Exactly Three Words (MktgTriplets)

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For some reason, I’ve been obsessed with trying to condense ideas into as few words as possible.  I find the wordsmithing oddly enjoyable.  But, it seems I’m not alone.  Recently, I posted an article with startup advice in exactly three words.  The article was retweeted over 1,200 times and got over 500 contributions from people that are clearly much better at this sort of thing — and perhaps, equally disturbed.kitten triplets

So, I thought I’d take a stab at distilling down some advice into “marketing triplets” (marketing advice in exactly three words). To help get you inspired, I included a photo of three kittens looking moderately cute -- which satisfies several of the items below, not just #11.

So, scan through and make up your own.  I promise, it'll be fun!

Marketing Triplets:  Advice In Exactly Three Words

1) Spark a conversation. [tweet]

2) Dissect your data. [tweet]

3) Hire a writer. [tweet]

4) Don’t spam people. [tweet]

5) Say something useful. [tweet]

6) Try something new. [tweet]

7) Always be human. [tweet]

8) Don’t kill trees. [tweet]

9) Invest in relationships. [tweet]

10) Measure what matters. [tweet]

11) Use kittens judiciously. [tweet]

12) Create a community. [tweet]

13) Fail more frequently. [tweet]

14) Attempt awesome feats. [tweet]

15) Help promote others. [tweet]

16) Encourage everyone's participation. [tweet]

17) Design for results. [tweet]

18) Give up control. [tweet]

19) Be more empathetic. [tweet]

20) Use fewer words. [tweet]

21) Make subscribing easy. [tweet]

22) Uncurb your enthusiasm. [tweet]

23) Reduce cold calling. [tweet]

24) Train internal talent. [tweet]

25) Resist trying trickery. [tweet]

26) Eschew feeling entitled. [tweet]

27) Run a survey. [tweet]

28) Bet on believers. [tweet]

29) Solve for users. [tweet]

30) Craft clever copy. [tweet]

31) Occasionally wear underwear. [tweet]

32) Make searchers happy. [tweet]

33) Share your wisdom. [tweet]

34) Make people smile. [tweet]

35) Learn to love. [tweet]

36) Guess, then test. [tweet]

37) Avoid unfunny people. [tweet]

38) Read other blogs. [tweet]

39) Ask interesting questions. [tweet]

40) Write guest posts. [tweet]

41) Twitter isn't everything. ~Rand Fishkin [tweet]

42) Build natural links. ~Neil Patel [tweet]

43) Respect customer power. ~Anita Campbell [tweet]

44) Make customers heroes. ~Chris Brogan [tweet]

45) Why before what. ~Avinash Kaushik [tweet] 

46) Unique and valuable. ~Guy Kawasaki [tweet] 

47) Always have fun. [tweet]

What I’d like from you:  Your very own triplets!  Try saying something that captures a piece of marketing advice or insight into exactly three words.  You can post your triplet suggestion as a comment here, or to get even more fame and glory, post it as a tweet and use the hashtag #MktgTriplet.  We’ll pick out our favorite triplets and include them in a future blog post, a future book or simply retweet you from our uber-powerful twitter accounts.  But forget the fame and fortune, if I know you, you’ll do it just for the fun.

We'll plan to take the best submissions and incorporate them into a book, music video or interpretive ice sculpture.  

Or, to reduce the guilt you'll feel for not contributing one of your own, you can simply pick your favorite from the list above and tweet it (we even made it easy for you).

I'm hoping marketing people are going to be exceptional at generating these marketing triplets than startup people. So, lets say .  The goal is to get over 1,300 retweets and 600 contributions.

Ready?  Go!  Lets see what you can do.

Posted by Dharmesh Shah on Mon, Jan 18, 2010 @ 11:13 AM

COMMENTS

don't be afraid 
get started now 
just do it 
go for it 
 
and for HUb Spot or Consultants: 
take my hand 
we can help 
 

posted on Monday, January 18, 2010 at 11:44 AM by stewart sims


Use more video!

posted on Monday, January 18, 2010 at 11:47 AM by Matt Shaw


Love your list Dharmesh. Here's a few more. 
 
Create something remarkable 
Delight when possible 
Understand your market 
Listen to market 
Talk like market 
Always give value 
Great design matters 
Sweat the details 
Write compelling copy 
Relationships win long-term 
Create customer evangelists 
Analyze, then optimize 

posted on Monday, January 18, 2010 at 11:47 AM by David Meiselman


How about TWO words: 
 
Sell benefits.

posted on Monday, January 18, 2010 at 11:50 AM by Roger Sterling


Beta-test Their Wallet

posted on Monday, January 18, 2010 at 11:56 AM by Ilya


Killer blog post! Reminds me of a copywriter's quote: "If I had more time, I'd have written you a shorter note." 
 
Brevity is beautiful. 
Sell with conscience. 
Love your fears.

posted on Monday, January 18, 2010 at 11:57 AM by Luke Brown


Do it now 
Change it today 
Ask for help 
Let them participate 
Listen to them 
Eliminate the 'thems' 
Should they care? 
Give me instructions 
Make it easy 
 

posted on Monday, January 18, 2010 at 12:01 PM by Zane Safrit


Love your customers 
Create value everyday

posted on Monday, January 18, 2010 at 12:03 PM by Dave Gingrich


Never ever quit.

posted on Monday, January 18, 2010 at 12:08 PM by Brian


Love the adorable kitties!! 
This is a fun project.  
Thanks, Vicki 
Earn cash back 
Please say please 
Win/win situation 
Pass it on 
Live and learn 
Recognize your followers 
Right for you 
Relationships are everything 
Determine your target 
Always be polite 
How to succeed 
Trends and techniques 
10 top tips 
do's and don'ts 
Call to action 
Make your point 
Clear and concise

posted on Monday, January 18, 2010 at 12:17 PM by Vicki Barr


Grace under pressure.

posted on Monday, January 18, 2010 at 12:20 PM by Pam Campagna


stfu and listen

posted on Monday, January 18, 2010 at 12:25 PM by midlakewinter


i love people 
conversation is everything 
content is currency 
make it stick 
speak with conviction 
read a lot 
listen a lot 
pocket your ego 
learn new things 
go the distance 
measure measure measure 
know thy audience 
build genuine relationships 
be wide open 

posted on Monday, January 18, 2010 at 12:37 PM by Arthur Charles Van Wyk


Humans, not numbers.

posted on Monday, January 18, 2010 at 12:40 PM by Rebecca Cochran


Share with others 
help your customers 
become an expert 
slow and steady 
consistency builds brands 
market, market, sale! 
 

posted on Monday, January 18, 2010 at 12:48 PM by Dale Berkebile


Be them now 
You are them 
Give it away 
They like you 
Change everything now

posted on Monday, January 18, 2010 at 12:53 PM by Noah Carter


Add Meaningful Value 
Raise Your Bar

posted on Monday, January 18, 2010 at 1:04 PM by ellen hoenig


Love this! Here's mine:  
 
Quality is king 
Laugh out loud 
Be a friend 
Love your friends 
Love your enemies 
Today's a present 
Tomorrow's your chance 
Build better relationships  
Give to live 
Love more often 
Take chances now 
Failure breeds success 
Let's stop fighting  
Working to peace

posted on Monday, January 18, 2010 at 1:19 PM by Robin Taney


Appreciate your customers

posted on Monday, January 18, 2010 at 1:32 PM by Adrian Segar


CREATIVE FLORIDA HUNTRESS 
hire me now 
seeks new job 
proven track record 
creative curious collaborator 
conscientious work ethic 
inspires customer loyalty 
delivers effective results 
builds new biz 
fine arts background 
contact me now! 
Freelance or permanent! 
Twitter: embaldwinonline 
 
 
 
 

posted on Monday, January 18, 2010 at 1:35 PM by EM Baldwin


Recognize your supporters.  
Ask yourself questions.

posted on Monday, January 18, 2010 at 1:47 PM by Billy MacDonald


Listen then create 
Do your homework

posted on Monday, January 18, 2010 at 2:02 PM by Mark Kilens


So many great ideas - thanks, Dharmesh! 
 
Know your brand 
Live your brand 
Listen THEN market 
Make it happen  
View kittens daily

posted on Monday, January 18, 2010 at 2:07 PM by Samantha Hartley | Enlightened Marketing


Laugh, Love, Lucrative! 
Purify Your Message

posted on Monday, January 18, 2010 at 2:27 PM by Tami Maze


Relationships Relationships Relationships 
 
@charlieriley

posted on Monday, January 18, 2010 at 2:33 PM by Charlie Riley


Best Beats First

posted on Monday, January 18, 2010 at 2:34 PM by Adam Justice


always be relevant 
 
consistency is key 
 
draft rewrite refine 
 
content is king 
 
know your market 
 
respect breeds rewards 
 
marketing is social 
 
collaborate for greatness 
 
eye for detail

posted on Monday, January 18, 2010 at 2:40 PM by Christie Petty


Market with heart 
 
Heart your market 
 
Bend, don’t break 
 
Have no fear 
 
Beg forgiveness later 
 
Market with confidence 
 
Be a maverick 
 
Engage your network  
 
Quality over quantity 
 
Change is good

posted on Monday, January 18, 2010 at 2:44 PM by Brooke Suslak


Respect All People 
Don't Screw People 
Big Big Dreams 

posted on Monday, January 18, 2010 at 3:12 PM by Promotional Products


Keep putting people* first. 
 
*Customers, employees, partners. Markets=people

posted on Monday, January 18, 2010 at 3:29 PM by Lucie Newcomb


Oops! Should've read ; ) 

(Keep)putting people* first.  
 
*Customers, employees, partners. Markets=people  

posted on Monday, January 18, 2010 at 3:34 PM by Lucie Newcomb


Great idea! 
Here's mine: 
 
Embrace new technologies 

posted on Monday, January 18, 2010 at 3:37 PM by Michael Feinberg


Great Post! 
 
 
 
Listen before speaking 
 
2 Ears 1 Mouth 
 
Questions versus Statements 
 
Under-Promise Over-Deliver 
 
 
 
Excerpts from the Ten Demandments by Kelly Mooney: 
 
1. Earn Their Trust 
 
2. Inspire Them 
 
3. Make It Easy 
 
4. Put them in-charge 
 
5. Guide Them 
 
6. Be There 24/7 
 
7. Learn about them 
 
8. Exceed Their Expectation 
 
9. Reward The Customer 
 
10. Stay with Them 
 
 
 
Have Fun Now!!!!!

posted on Monday, January 18, 2010 at 3:37 PM by Jack Napoli


Know your customer 
Create great content 
Listen and engage 
Help them succeed 
Convert into advocates 
Amplify their success 
Do it again

posted on Monday, January 18, 2010 at 3:38 PM by Brian Vellmure


Here are my 5 Marketing triplets 
 
Inbound Marketing Sells 
 
Create Content Constantly 
 
Create Remarkable Content 
 
Always Be Creating 
 
Create Analyze Repeat

posted on Monday, January 18, 2010 at 3:39 PM by Chad Levitt


Always be testing.

posted on Monday, January 18, 2010 at 3:41 PM by Bettina Hein


Find what works 
 
Always think big 
 
Make details count 
 
Don't stop trying 
 
Blog baby blog 
 
Get it right

posted on Monday, January 18, 2010 at 3:57 PM by Rick Ryan


you, me, we 
 
Social Media Muse: infusing Social Media with spiritual chocolate

posted on Monday, January 18, 2010 at 4:00 PM by Monique DiCarlo


Eye Sticky Media 
 
20 Second Capture 
 
Relationship Trumps All 
 
Invest In Relationships

posted on Monday, January 18, 2010 at 4:10 PM by Lisa Bruckner


Feed the bulldog

posted on Monday, January 18, 2010 at 4:38 PM by Sepideh Motamedi


Lego My Eggo.

posted on Monday, January 18, 2010 at 4:56 PM by David Wells


actually learn something.

posted on Monday, January 18, 2010 at 5:10 PM by Kate Haley


Read Inbound Marketing!

posted on Monday, January 18, 2010 at 6:49 PM by Tom Humbarger


All of them were true.I will add  
keep things up 
work with smile 
hardwork is key 

posted on Monday, January 18, 2010 at 6:53 PM by ecommerce software


Our 3 favorite words at Acquia- 
 
Ready 
Fire 
Aim 
 
 

posted on Monday, January 18, 2010 at 9:42 PM by Lynne Capozzi


Thanks everyone for your comments and contributions.  
 
Keep 'em coming. :)

posted on Monday, January 18, 2010 at 11:09 PM by Dharmesh Shah


Share your enthusiasm! 
Show your passion! 
Look boldly forward!

posted on Monday, January 18, 2010 at 11:24 PM by Salama Evans


Listen before saying 
 
Make it funny 
 

posted on Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at 1:41 AM by Zoso


knowledge is power 
 
love your art 
 
create your dream 
 
paint the world 
 
share your gift

posted on Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at 5:41 AM by Bayberry L Shah


Never say NO 
Never Lose Trust 
I Love Sana

posted on Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at 6:24 AM by Afaq


Play the hits 
Avoid word blubber 
Patronize lemonade stands 
Hit the vocal  
Movies require popcorn 
Arrive on time 
Never leave early 
Score the game 
Movies require popcorn 
Visit every ballpark 
Never chew Communion 
Hire smart people 
Write a book 
Avoid saying "gauche" 
 
 
Visit every state 
 

posted on Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at 9:50 AM by Don Kelley


Thank you for this blog; it's shed a lot of light on the nature of marketing, particularly helpful because I've only been involved with marketing for a few months. Here are some triplets: 
 
Pull the trigger 
Take a chance 
Let them come 
Don't be annoying 
Use proper grammar

posted on Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at 4:09 PM by Alexander Chiu


some are here: 
Learn from user 
Control to user 
Use Social Networks 
Follow leaders closely 
 

posted on Wednesday, January 20, 2010 at 5:46 AM by Vishu Gurav


Call to action 
Make 'em smile  
Talk about them 
Kill the gobbledygook  
Make it easy  
Solutions beat problems 
Know thy enemy 
Proof proof & poof :) 
 
And as a mother of twins, I have to say: 
 
Twins are better

posted on Wednesday, January 20, 2010 at 3:13 PM by Julie Power


Profit from dysfunctionality

posted on Wednesday, January 20, 2010 at 3:46 PM by Paul McKeon


i love twitter

posted on Wednesday, January 20, 2010 at 9:17 PM by nike shoes


thanks for this good blog,i wish every like here

posted on Wednesday, January 20, 2010 at 9:20 PM by nike dunks


nike air max specialize on the air max shoes。welcome to our shop

posted on Wednesday, January 20, 2010 at 9:23 PM by air max


Educate. Entertain. Engage. 
 
@JayBerkowitz

posted on Wednesday, January 20, 2010 at 11:23 PM by Jay Berkowitz


eat more pizza

posted on Friday, January 22, 2010 at 7:24 AM by paul maberly


understand your customer 

posted on Saturday, January 23, 2010 at 9:58 AM by Mehmet Can Merter


Inform Share Empower

posted on Saturday, January 23, 2010 at 6:48 PM by thinkVAULTer


Ask your customers 
 
Great customer service 
 
Customer is king 
 
Use less words 
 
Make words count 
 
Keep it brief 
 

posted on Monday, January 25, 2010 at 7:46 AM by Nicky Parker


thanks for the share

posted on Thursday, January 28, 2010 at 3:36 AM by m65 field jacket


good read thanks

posted on Thursday, January 28, 2010 at 3:40 AM by kamagra


Gift With Purchase 
 
 
 

posted on Thursday, January 28, 2010 at 4:48 PM by Angelica


I'm glad to have the blog and twitter part of the equation figured out

posted on Thursday, January 28, 2010 at 10:15 PM by merchant accounts


Just Be Yourself

posted on Friday, January 29, 2010 at 10:16 PM by Belgian Chairs


Doing What Matters

posted on Wednesday, February 03, 2010 at 6:12 AM by Anandkrishnan


Both Feet In 
Make it work (Thanks Tim Gunn!) 
No regrets (2 words, but good) 
Make it Matter 
Make it Last 
Create Something Lasting 

posted on Saturday, February 13, 2010 at 9:55 AM by Reno Social Media


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