My Local Business Online

Jan Kearney - Your Local Business Online Marketing Consultant - call me 07847 554418

Jan Kearney – My Local Business Online

Helping you get your business found online by LOCAL people

  • Home
  • Problems I Solve
    • I need a website that works
    • I need more online visibility for my local business
    • I want to start video marketing
    • My WordPress site baffles me
  • Why I Do It
    • Privacy
  • Toolbox
  • Contact Me
You are here: Home / Small Business Marketing / What Can Ricky Gervais Teach You About Online Marketing?

What Can Ricky Gervais Teach You About Online Marketing?

October 13, 2013 by Jan Kearney

I’ll be honest, I’m not a fan of Ricky Gervais – far from it. He makes me grit my teeth while I suppress the urge to wallop him!

However, flying through my feed last week was a post over on Hubspot with a video from Fast Company‘s creation series. Thankfully, the post was called “A 3-Minute Investment That’ll Make You a Better Content Creator” and didn’t mention Ricky Gervais at all or I wouldn’t have opened it!

Since I was reading the post, I gritted my teeth and watched Ricky share his story about how he learned to write. I thought I would share the video here too.

What has Ricky’s writing to do with online marketing?

The thing that struck me was the parallels between small businesses online and Ricky’s school essays. I think many of us have done the whole melodramatic hype thing or spent hours (days/weeks) researching and writing about something we have no interest in – I know I have!

“Write about what you know”

Very simple advice that applies to any content online, from your website and blog posts through to video creation. When you write about what you know (and hopefully are passionate about it’s your business after all!) the whole tone of the piece changes.

And that’s when you start making a connection.

what can ricky gervais teach you about online marketing?

If something is real for one person, it’s touched their life…
It’s your job to make an audience as excited and fascinated about a subject as you are.

Online marketing thrives on words – whether its ads through to social media to your blog. Sharing your passion and excitement about your business touches real people in a way that no hype or drama can.

What do you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts, leave a comment below 🙂

What Can Ricky Gervais Teach You About Online Marketing? by Jan Kearney
Your Local Search Road Map
Download your FREE report and worksheet now

local search roadmapGrab your guide to local search and learn:

  • What elements are important on your website
  • How to set up your Google My Business Local Page
  • How Google Plus can help you zoom past your competitors
  • Two things you should not neglect if you want to rank in the local search pack
  • How to power past your competitors and dominate your area

Simply add your name and best email address in the box below and I'll whizz your report and worksheet straight over to you.

Don't worry, I hate spam too (probably more than you!)  I'll never trade, share, sell, exchange your email address or any other jiggery pokery.

Related Posts

  • marketing ideas for small business
    Online Marketing Ideas for Small Businesses

    Marketing Ideas for Small Businesses That Won't Break the Bank You know your small business…

  • What Have You Done To Promote Your Business Online This Week?

    Now there’s an interesting question… What have you done to promote your business online? I…

  • content marketing - are you playing the game?
    Content Marketing - How You Can Win The Game [Infographic]

    I loved this content marketing game infographic and thought I would share! Having just been…

Filed Under: Small Business Marketing Tagged With: content marketing, online marketing, small business websites, writing for the web

About Jan Kearney

I believe that every business, no matter how small or how local can use the power of the web to gain more customers. I offer no bull coaching and mentoring so small business owners can strategically put the web to work for their business. I've been called a "compass" and a "navigator" and probably a few more names that aren't suitable for a profile!
Connect with me on Google+, Facebook, Pinterest

Comments

  1. Galina St George says

    October 13, 2013 at 9:35 pm

    Hi Jan,

    I think this is one of the simplest lessons I’ve had in my life, but what Ricky Gervais has said has touched me on more than one level. He is talking about writing what we know about, and I totally agree with this. I also think that what you’ve said about passion helps too. But the other thing he mentions is being honest. I think that it applies to more than writing.

    There is a lot of pretense – not just in the world of business and marketing. People pretend to be what they are not, and this pretense is kind of a lie, a denial of own worth which creates all sorts of imbalances in our lives and relationships with others.

    I believe that good writing comes from being totally honest with ourselves, and speaking from the heart – just what Ricky says in this video. Because when we don’t, we get found out eventually, but most of all, we lose respect for ourselves, and the muse that inspires us. Quite a light-bulb moment, thank you!

    Galina

    • Jan Kearney says

      October 15, 2013 at 2:04 pm

      Hi Galina – I know exactly where you’re coming from. I’m not a Ricky Gervais fan and the video touched me too. Is saying “keep it real” too corny?

  2. Steve says

    October 13, 2013 at 9:51 pm

    Hi Jan,

    Great article and a great video by Ricky. Thanks for sharing.

    Steve

    • Jan Kearney says

      October 15, 2013 at 2:03 pm

      Hey Steve – lovely to see you. Glad you liked the video 🙂

  3. Tamala says

    October 14, 2013 at 7:10 am

    I truly believe in writing about what you know. It makes life so much easier and your work effortlessly begins to feel less like a chore. I love this advice and think any serious blogger will leverage this approach… one way or another. 🙂

    • Jan Kearney says

      October 15, 2013 at 2:02 pm

      Hi Tamala – yes it does make life easier! Thanks for popping in 🙂

  4. Bonnie Gean says

    October 14, 2013 at 11:58 am

    I’ve always droned on about “writing what you know,” but so many bloggers fail to accept the simplicity of the message. They’re always trying to be something they’re not – and then wonder why they can’t create that “connection” that others seem to get so easily!

    All the friends you made in high school were a result of being YOU. Why would you do anything different with your business? 🙂

    • Jan Kearney says

      October 15, 2013 at 2:01 pm

      I didn’t do high-school friends Bonnie lol

      I agree with you though, write what you know and write how you speak – 2 rules to live by online 🙂

  5. Kelly Mooney says

    October 14, 2013 at 1:06 pm

    Glad to see youre not just walloping me 🙂 leave Ricky alone …..
    Great post as always Jan you write what you know and make it understandable for me (which can be challenging) and on that note I’m going to write about what I know …. xxx

    • Jan Kearney says

      October 15, 2013 at 2:00 pm

      I make you understand in the end Kelly! 🙂 Great to see you over here on the blog too 🙂

  6. Tamsin says

    October 16, 2013 at 5:45 am

    Short videos are good – although I’m sure he could have made it shorter 🙂 Good advice once he got into the story – and yes, being open and honest about what you love, and you can’t go wrong!

  7. Karly - Mint Online Marketing says

    January 7, 2014 at 12:37 pm

    Well said Jan! People tend to overlook the importance of the message. There’s no use in spending money on an expensive advertising campaign if you can’t write a message that your audience can relate to. The words are just as important as the design!

Meet Jan Kearney

I believe that every business, no matter how small or how local can use the power of the web to gain more customers. I offer no bull coaching and mentoring so small business owners can strategically put the web to work for their business. I've been called a "compass" and a "navigator" and probably a few more names that aren't suitable for a profile!
Connect with me on Google+, Facebook, Pinterest or Discover More About My Local Business Online…

Also On The Blog…

7 Useful image optimisation tips for search and social media

7 Useful Image Optimisation Tips For Search And Social Media

A web page without an image is almost naked, missing something, a finishing touch. Basic image optimisation can transform your web pages, product … [Read More...]

50 Fabulously free stock photo sites to bling up your blog

50 Fabulously Free Stock Photo Sites To Bling Your Blog

Not all of us have photographic talent. Creating your own photo images for your website, social updates, blog or presentations is HARD.  When the … [Read More...]

Is your business website Google-worthy in 2016?

Is Your Business Website Google-Worthy In 2016?

Creating your own local business website is never an easy task, especially when the guidelines change regularly. As always online, the only thing you … [Read More...]

Jan Kearney
and My Local Business Online
Helps small business owners get to grips with the web and get found online.
2 Stanley Villas, Greenway Road, Runcorn, Cheshire
Phone: 07847 554418

You need to know

This website uses cookies. By continuing using the site, you are agreeing to the use of cookies. Info on the cookies used can be found in my privacy policy.

Jan Kearney is a participant in the Amazon EU Associates Programme, an affiliate advertising programme designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk.

More Info

  • Contact Me
  • About
  • Privacy

Copyright © 2021 · Epik on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in