It has been a while since I’ve had a “5 Questions With” post, so today’s has 5 + 1 questions with Chris Kirk, owner of WildBlue LLC. Based in Platte City, MO, the folks at WildBlue help aircraft buyers and sellers worldwide close deals faster.

Make sure you don’t miss Chris’ answer to question #4, it’s not your typical answer but I think it’s a gem.

1. What do you (really) do for a living? – We’re a marketing company that brings together airplane buyers and sellers.

2. What makes you different from others in your industry? – Two things. First, Our focus on giving back to our industry via programs like “Flying Money”, “GAWins!”, and our WildBlue Foundation fund.

Secondly, our system is based on clear, consistent, and reliable communications. In other words, our “Blue Sky” system keeps buyers and sellers out of the dark, stops wasting their time, and helps them make more effective decisions.

3. Who is your ideal customer? – Our ideal clients are typically active or retired business owners, entrepreneurs, upper level executives or professionals. They normally use their airplanes for business and personal reasons and often fly the planes themselves. They use other professionals in their daily lives and appreciate the value that a professional aircraft salesperson brings to the table. They are able to delegate and value the input from their advisors when making decisions. They maintain their airplanes to high standards and demand high standards from others. They are decision-makers and are often active in aircraft owners associations. A WildBlue client knows precisely what his time is worth and will eagerly refer our services to others for a job well done.

4. What has been your most effective marketing strategy to date? – Calling people back and providing them with consistent and clear communications. I’m always surprised at how many people tell me we were the only ones to call them back.

5. I would be more effective at marketing my business if… – I had more time and money LOL. Realistically, I’d be more effective if I felt more comfortable and committed myself more to networking functions.

6. Tell me a little bit about the charities you support – Owner’s associations that support the individual aircraft owner, aviation safety groups, and charities that support individuals in need through the use of free air travel.

Here is the video I mentioned in my previous post about communicating your remarkable difference. (hat tip to Michelle Golden for sharing this on Facebook)

This post is to verify that I own this blog for Technorati – FTYQKWC6W6V6

I was interested to see this “debate” (really just a discussion) between David Meerman Scott and Mike Volpe of HubSpot about whether or not you should require people to register before they can access your content. I’ve come down in Scott’s camp for a while (no registration) but this is always an interesting conversation to have with customers.

View the discussion here – http://blog.hubspot.com/view-debate/ and then come back here and let me know which side you agree with.

Yesterday, when I was writing about using personas in professional service marketing, I was reminded of a “rule” that I either picked up when studying interactive design or was reinforced for me during that time. The rule is include enough (design, features, etc.) to accomplish the job but no more.

I’m often reminded of this rule when people ask “how long should a blog post be?” or “what is the right length for my newsletters?”. My pat answer has always been, pick one point, write enough to make your point and no more.

And another thing… just kidding ; )

I really enjoyed this animation, based on a talk from Dan Pink, that  illustrates the hidden truths behind what really motivates us at home and in the workplace.What do you think? What motivates you?

It’s my understanding that I need to have a social media policy, so after many months of hard work and countless meetings, I am ready to release our official company social media policy.

When participating in social media, all employees are to remember:

• The purpose of our business is to create profit for our customers. Our customers don’t profit from stupid. Don’t be stupid.
• Online conversations are just that, CONVERSATIONS. Conversations that lots of people can overhear. That can be a good thing. Be an adult, don’t be stupid.
• Talking without listening is a good way to become stupid. See above.

Failure to comply with this policy may lead to your boss being hit in the head with a hammer for a) hiring you and 2) not taking responsibility for fixing you.

Repeated violations may lead to you being hit in the head with the hammer as well.

(Note: I’m a company of one, and the one has a VERY thick skull. Your mileage may vary.)