The Joy Of Running

Here's to the pure joy of running!

If there's one thing this past year has taught me it's that I love running.  Throughout all the tests doctor visits I've kept running.  Sluggish some mornings and run/walk on others but I still looked forward to getting outside to go running.  

I haven't had a long run in a while...been keeping the intensity up with stairs and hill repeats...but I can't wait!

Until next time...
ThatRunninGuy

7 Digital Marketing Trends That Rule in 2017

The number one trend for me is my continued move away from the laptop/desktop to mobile for the majority of my communication needs.  This is borne out in every survey from virtually every source. But you need look no further that Google who now reports that over 75% of Searches begin from a handheld mobile device.  We move to larger screens as necessary but the 'One Number/One Device' world rules!

As we move to the final quarter of 2017 and the future forecasting season begins, here's a look at the dominant trends throughout 2017...with an eye to 2018:

Chris M Morales

chris.morales@bell.net

@ChrisMoralesTO

647 393 3855

The opinions expressed on this blog are my own and are not associated with any other group or organization

7 Thoughts A Runner Has During A Half Marathon

What the heck am I doing?

That question happens around the half way mark when the reality of a likely finish time sinks in...if only I can hold this pace!  Although I may have done it once in a training run, running the second half faster than the first is unlikely and unrealistic.  Oh well, better just enjoy the run.


Here are some other thoughts a runner has during a half marathon:

1. Don't go out too fast.  Did I go out too fast?  I told myself to start slowly and ease into race pace.  Why did I go out too fast?
2. Did I hydrate properly before the race?  Did I balance the electrolyte with enough water?  
3. I hope the gels don't make my stomach turn.  Wish I hadn't changed my usual brand at the last minute?  Hope I brought enough gels.
4. Do all these runners in front of me need to be chatting so much? And they're smiling!  Wish I could smile.  I'm smiling, right?
5. If I stay in front of the 2 hour pace bunny I'll finish under 2 hours!  The 2 hour pace bunny must be running too fast.  Why is the 2 hour pace bunny pulling ahead.
6. I overdressed.  I overdressed.  I overdressed!
7. I see the finish.  Pick up the pace.  Smile.  Breathe.  Forget breathing...smile for the finish line camera!

First thought on crossing the finish line:   "I'm never doing that again!"

Thought about 10 minutes later:  "That wasn't so bad...when's the next race?"

Until next time...

ThatRunninGuy

Connecting in Micro-Moments

The moment of truth.  More correctly, the 'moments' that trigger action that keep marketers up at night.  At least they do for me. It's the daily conversation with Managers and Business Owners revolving around how to generate more traffic to our websites and convert more of that traffic into leads.

Conversations with our website partners go something like this, "We need to optimize both our organic and paid search traffic...how do we add or improve calls-to-action so that we increase the opportunity of the Searcher to contact us directly?"  

At a recent event hosted by 6S Marketing and Google, we dug into this more deeply with three key insights:

1. The four micro-moments are, I want to know, I want to go, I want to buy, I want to do.
2. The force of mobile in triggering follow-up actions
3. The speed at which conversions occur in mobile searches:  It's fast!

Moving forward my challenge to our website and online advertising partners is to bring solutions that will encourage a higher percentage of visitors to our websites to find what they are looking for faster...from their mobile devices.

I found this slide very interesting:  75% of mobile searches trigger follow-up actions.  It leaves no doubt that we are now living in a 'give it to me now' world!

In the Automotive Retail business we talk about best in class response times of less than 15 minutes. Knowing that the majority of searches are happening via mobile devices and that conversions happen with the hour drives home the need for speed.

I want to know;  I want to go;  I want to buy;   I want to do.  

Chris M Morales

chris.morales@bell.net

@ChrisMoralesTO

647 393 3855

The opinions expressed on this blog are my own and are not associated with any other group or organization