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Get Scrappy
Book

Get Scrappy

Smarter Digital Marketing for Businesses Big and Small

AMACOM, 2016 more...

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Editorial Rating

7

Qualities

  • Comprehensive
  • Applicable
  • Well Structured

Recommendation

Embrace a “scrappy” mind-set to develop superior marketing, even if your company is small and lacks resources. Online marketing expert Nick Westergaard provides spot-on, adept advice as he explains how to make a big impact by leveraging the right social networks and the most appropriate digital marketing tools. His scrappy marketing system offers an upbeat, comprehensive strategy for achieving great results with limited resources. It will be a particular boon to those who are building up their online presence. getAbstract recommends his informative, results-oriented social-media tips to help you power up your online marketing strategy.

Summary

“Eddie the Terrible”

In late 2014, the Humane Society of Silicon Valley in Millbrae, California, took in a little Chihuahua that its staff members named Eddie the Terrible. Eddie has no saving graces. He yaps at other dogs. He has no use for kids. He is the bratty canine embodiment of “social awkward.” Humane societies have a hard time getting people to adopt stray dogs and cats. This becomes infinitely more difficult with an unappealing, pugnacious animal like Eddie.

So how did the shelter market Eddie the Terrible? It tried to convince people why they should not adopt the little dog. Their social media posts bore titles like “Three Reasons You Don’t Want to Adopt Eddie the Terrible.” One text said, “We’re not expecting you to want to meet him, but if you must we really can’t deter you.”

The Humane Society made the grouchy dog endearing, and its counterintuitive message went viral. And the story has a happy ending: Eddie found a home with owners who have no kids. Although the Humane Society of Silicon Valley has a microscopic budget, it accomplished its marketing goal with ingenious, inexpensive messaging – the perfect “scrappy” campaign.

The Meaning ...

About the Author

Nick Westergaard, chief brand strategist at Brand Driven Digital, hosts the On Brand podcast.