Chasing Two Rabbits

Don’t you love pithy sayings: packed with wisdom, insight and power with the bare minimum of words? Just so you know that Facebook isn’t the only place they surface these days, I am making one the focus of today’s edition. (ha)


The more I think about it, these axioms resemble the morals at the end of each Aesop’s Fable. You remember those? There was a short back-story that described a crow and  a pitcher, or a tortoise and a hare. Maybe I should make up something for this one...


A man chasing two r abbits catches neither.


The meaning of this is not particularly obscure. It doesn’t even go too deep. It’s simple and direct. An academic today might rewrite it

like this... your likelihood of success decreases with the number of tasks in which you are engaged. Jack Palance’s character in ‘City Slickers’ held up his index finger and implored Billy Crystal to “find your one thing.”


This all applies to advertising, marketing, and communication! Remember the two rabbits when you produce the following:


An Email

The temptation is to tell them everything you want the reader to know – and all in the first paragraph! Resist that. Ultimately, you want one action after reading your words – what is it? This applies to subject lines as well.


Your Mission Statement

I am not saying a multi-prong mission won’t  co n n ect, but it is strong evidence that a laser-focused statement keeps staff on track, energizes donors, and governs everyone’s daily tasks. Read Charity Water’s "Bringing Clean and Safe Drinking Water to People in Developing Nations."


An Advertisement

While I don’t mind including a social media icon in an ad, wouldn’t you get more results if you ran an entire ad devoted to the many and specific benefits of being a friend,  follower or fan?


A Blog

Blogging, by its nature, seems to be a stream-of-consciousness exercise. As humans, our thoughts are scattered and non-sequential... unless I am hanging around a strange set of people. The best blogs are very specific in their teaching, so that each story and thought reinforces the point.


A Sermon

Can I get an “Amen”!


P.S. Send me a favorite saying you like.

A blue and green triangle on a white background

Importance of Brand Image

By Dani Gordon • October 15, 2025
Ever feel like your brand's visual identity is all over the place? You're not alone; keeping a consistent look across all your marketing channels can be a real challenge. We understand how crucial it is to maintain visual brand consistency. (We ran into the same issue with our own brand!) It’s not just about aesthetics; it’s about ensuring your audience instantly recognizes and trusts your brand, no matter where they encounter it. Consistency builds credibility and makes your brand memorable. It’s okay to ask for help. So, how does 1Vision help your brand stand apart? First, we dig a bit into what your brand is and what you’d like it to be. Then, we use a suite of resources and tools designed to create professional-looking graphics, logos, and visual content that truly reflect your brand’s personality. Think of us as your brand’s personal stylist. We ensure that everything from your website and social media to your email newsletters and e-signatures has a cohesive, polished look. It’s like dressing your brand in its best outfit every single day! Additionally, we establish clear brand guidelines— “rules” that ensure future content remains consistent. This way, no matter who is creating your content, it always aligns with your brand’s visual identity. We make the process smooth and stress-free by leveraging our expertise and mastery of professional tools. This allows you to focus on what you do best—running your business or nonprofit—while we handle the intricacies of maintaining a strong, consistent brand image. https://www.with1vision.com/services#MarketingandCommunication
A close up of a graph on a piece of paper on a table.

Tracking Analytics and Performance Today (10/10)

By Blake Conover • September 17, 2025
We’ve come to the end of our self-imposed marketing journey—and we’re wrapping up with the topic you probably wanted us to start with! Do I really need to say it? Understanding your marketing performance is absolutely key to driving improvement and achieving your business goals. The good news? There are plenty of analytics solutions out there to help you track key performance indicators (KPIs), measure ROI, and optimize your strategies over time. Start by identifying the metrics that matter most to your objectives, and then, set up customized tracking systems to capture accurate data. From there, we can help turn that data into actionable insights and informed recommendations—like setting goals, defining objectives, and marking progress with mileposts along the way. This process isn’t for the faint of heart—it takes persistence and attention to detail. (Pro tip: hand this job to the people who ask all the tiny questions that drive you nuts. They were born to track KPIs, ROI, and website hits!) With the right tools and a bit of know-how, you’ll soon be analyzing website traffic, monitoring social media engagement, and tracking email campaign performance like a pro. A quick plug for two simple yet game-changing principles: Track only what you’ll actually use. Don’t waste time and money chasing data you don’t plan to act on. Start with a baseline. Knowing where you began is just as important as knowing when you’ve arrived. The best part? Many of the resources you’ll need along the way are free or affordable—perfect for marketers of all levels. And if you’re looking for a partner to help you achieve your business analytics objectives, give us a call. We’d love to help you get started!
A sign that says thanks to our sponsors on it

Unleashing ‘Other’ Community Engagement (9/10)

By Blake Conover • August 13, 2025
I struggled with blog title more than all the others in the series—combined! How do I succinctly, yet powerfully encapsulate that this one item, which is an accumulation of disparate, grassroots actions, may be the most important to your marketing—even if you represent a multi-national brand? Every company or nonprofit has a community. I’m not just talking about physical geography, although that may pertain. The community most important to you is the group of people who specify, donate, buy, use, or influence the purchase of your product or service. Building long-term, unbreakable relationships with them is essential for long-term success. Nothing—no ad series, social media campaign, or sales gimmick, no matter how well-constructed—can compare to the importance of connecting with your target audience on a personal level. You have the opportunity to establish trust and credibility through every interaction and every step in the customer journey. Here are a few examples. Think about your own situation while you read. Conagra Brands Conagra Brands, with products like Healthy Choice and Marie Callender's, through its Foundation, focus on alleviating food insecurity by supporting nonprofits that provide access to nutritious food, nutrition education, and healthy lifestyle programs. In 2023, Conagra donated over 30 million pounds of food to Feeding America and its network of food banks. ITW (Illinois Tool Works) ITW, a diversified manufacturer, has partnered with United Way in their local communities for over seven decades, investing an average of $6.1 million annually over the last five years. Their employees actively participate in local initiatives, contributing both time and financial resources. Procter & Gamble (P&G) P&G, the parent company of brands like Tide and Pampers, provides essential products to those facing challenging circumstances. They collaborate with organizations to distribute to ‘their’ communities in need (think hurricanes, floods, fire, etc.), ensuring that their products reach individuals who can benefit from them the most. Nike Nike collaborates with over 200 organizations worldwide to bring sports opportunities to young people, aiming to address inequality and promote active lifestyles. Yes, we’re talking about the local events, sponsorships, and collaborations. Those pesky community festivals, or sponsorships of a local sports team, or presentation to a local garden club help create meaningful connections that drive brand loyalty and customer engagement. Each is a small incremental step, but we often fixate on the destination and not the all-important sustained journey. As you become an integral part of your local community, you can achieve your business objectives and become a trusted brand/friend for generations. https://www.with1vision.com/about-us#OurInvolvement