Thoughts

    The Silent Online Majority

    1024 684 Michael Kraabel

    A significant portion of the online community, which I started to refer to as the “silent online majority,” primarily consumes content without actively engaging in creation or extensive interaction. As I have started to research this group, I started to look for ways to highlight the importance of reaching out to and including this audience…

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    The Unplug Project

    1024 683 Michael Kraabel

    I’ve spent most of my professional career entangled in the endless loop of emails, social media notifications, and digital clutter. Like many others, my life is dominated by screens, leaving me drained and creatively stifled. In the early days of the internet, advocating for the new “Digital Revolution,” I saw an unhealthy trend happening around…

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    Marketing Conversion Rate Optimization Tips for 2024

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    Driving traffic to your website is just the beginning. The real challenge lies in transforming these visitors into engaged customers. This is where Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) becomes crucial. CRO is the strategic process of enhancing your website to boost the percentage of visitors who complete a desired action, whether a purchase, subscription or filling out a…

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    Treat Your Customers Like Friends

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    Embracing the ethos of treating customers as friends isn’t just a nice gesture; it’s a strategic choice that can lead to long-term positive outcomes. – from trust and loyalty to long-term growth and a robust brand image. “The most successful marketing campaigns are those that echo the principles of friendship: trust, understanding, and mutual respect.…

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    On Team Building

    1024 683 Michael Kraabel

    I wasn’t always a good manager. In the early stages of my career, my style often lacked the finesse and insight I now possess. Having hired (and unfortunately fired) quite a number of employees over the years, I’ve learned a lot of invaluable lessons during the process. Early in my career, I focused more on…

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    Structuring Effective Marketing Campaigns

    1024 683 Michael Kraabel

    The success of a marketing, advertising, or brand campaign hinges on much more than just a creative spark. It’s about constructing a strategy that is imaginative, measurable, and aligned with consumer behavior. My methodology has evolved over the years to become a reliable system that provides consistent and measurable results. Developing this structured campaign model…

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    The Strategic Advantage of an In-House Production Studio

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    In a marketing world that demands real-time responses to customer demands and sometimes urgent crisis responses, having an in-house production studio is a luxury and a strategic asset. Having some form of -in-house production space offers a blend of efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and creative flexibility that is invaluable for businesses seeking to produce high-quality photo and…

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    Lessons from My Years at the Helm of Bishop+Rook

    1024 683 Michael Kraabel

    Eight years ago, I embarked on an entrepreneurial journey with Bishop+Rook, a company born from a vision to combine my love of travel, photography, and vintage vehicles. This journey has been an enlightening experience, teaching me invaluable lessons about business, branding, resilience, and the pursuit of a vision.  I didn’t know what to expect when…

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    Why Most Marketing and Agency Time Is Bullsh*t

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    In marketing and advertising agencies, the perception of productivity often clashes with the stark reality of time allocation. The industry thrives on the promise of innovation, creativity, and strategic brilliance. Yet, buried beneath the glamour and sheen lies a truth that many often shy away from: a significant portion of the time spent in marketing…

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    Embracing Real Work Over Rhetoric

    1024 683 Michael Kraabel

    The Joy of Being a Hands-On Creative and Marketing Executive: Embracing Real Work Over Rhetoric In marketing and creative strategy, there exists a dichotomy between those who relish hands-on involvement and those more inclined toward discussion and rhetoric. For individuals like myself, the allure of delving into the nitty-gritty of operations, actively participating in the…

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    Rational + Emotional Decision Making

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    When it comes to consumer behavior and decision-making, the contrast between rational and emotional decision-making choices stands as a captivating subject. The landscape of purchasing a product or service is often divided between those who rely on emotional impulses and those who meticulously weigh logical considerations. The pursuit of a harmonious equilibrium between these divergent…

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    The Importance of a Marketing Philosophy + Methodology

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    Having a defined philosophy is akin to having a compass that guides every decision. It sets the tone for how a brand interacts with its audience, shapes its identity, and ultimately influences its success. This philosophy acts as the foundation, aligning the brand’s values with its audience’s needs and desires. A marketing methodology brings structure…

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