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VC Inc. Marketing is a provider of sales support services to startups, established companies, and CEOs. Our work, ideas, and guidance have been featured in such media outlets as Fast Company, CNBC, Inc., MSNBC, Adweek, Startups Magazine, Marketing Profs, Forbes, Entrepreneur, & many more.
Rafe examines the "sales" approach that Trump employed to pitch his target "customers" (aka voters), and finds that it had didn't include an essential element that's necessary to get prospects to push the "Buy" button.
Rafe's unique approach to generating media coverage for his clients is explored in CIOLook, a print/online magazine that explores trending global business topics.
Bon Jovi's new album, Forever, has hit No. 1. Rafe explains how entrepreneurs can learn a lot about brand longevity from the band.
Should CEOs post their thoughts about trending topics on social media channels without input from their PR teams or consultants? Rafe says "nooooo!" and provides guidance on best practices.
Can an iconic New York radio station that went from "worst to first" in the 1980s teach today's startups how to succeed? Rafe says "yes!", and provides the details.
Knowing how to use the 1s and 2s to rock a crowd - whether it's via a livestream DJ mix show or in a club - offers valuable lessons on how thrill "customers". Rafe shares the deets.
Negan’s winning strategy can be of value to execs and managers in any organization. Here's how.
Rafe serves up a steaming pile of wack that he heard from some guy.
Rafesta breaks down the #1 reason why startups go south. (SPOILER: to paraphrase Jimmy Conway in "Goodfellas", they failed because they insulted their customers a little bit...)
Toxic workplaces suck for everybody who's on the receiving end of the toxicity, and Rafe can relate. He shares a tale of a destructive co-worker who he encountered back in the day.
Here's Rafe's straight up, square shot, rilly dilly lowdown on how to leverage media coverage to lock in more sales opportunities.
If you're seeking to fill an open role and are tired of finding wankers when you really need winners, my eight innovative interview questions will make your search speedier and more productive.
Rafe shares his "rule of 4", which is a mondo effective way for SMBs to outwit, outmaneuver, and outperform their competitors (scroll to #10).
In 2008, Rafe's company and career were decimated by market disruptions. Here's how he revived and thrived by incorporating a vital strategy tip that ALL entrepreneurs must follow in order to survive revenue fluctuations!
Looking for some fast n' easy anti-tips that will quickly obliterate your WFH experience? You're in luck: Rafe's got ya covered!
The Great Recession knocked Rafe down, but it didn't knock him out. Here's what happened, and how he clawed his way back.
If Aerosmith is open to a solution that would allow their original drummer, Joey Kramer, to perform with them on the 2020 Grammys show, Rafe has a clever idea that's not only classy and easy, it's also effective (it was successfully used at the 2014 Grammys).
Everybody catches a couple of breaks. What music industry legend Jimmy Iovine did with his made him a rich and wise.
NOTE: This post features two additions to my article "3 Startup Success Lessons Learned on a 40-Year Journey From Go-For to Billionaire" (Entrepreneur), which is based on HBO's hit documentary series "The Defiant Ones". These new secrets are available exclusively on LinkedIn! Be persistent and empat
When creating your organization's sales or investor presentations, be sure to avoid the top 5 mistakes that a Hollywood power broker recently made.
Rafe reveals the backstory of how he transitioned from nationally syndicated mix show DJ to 'rehirement coach' to award-winning provider of sales support/PR services.
Want to improve your pitching skills to journalists/influencers/bloggers? Rafe shares sales-based secrets that will dramatically boost the effectiveness of your interactions.
What was one of Rafe's biggest business fails? Following obsolete guidance and advice! After some flailing, he devised a unique solution to his challenges and got back in the game.
Rafe explains why understanding the needs, goals, and challenges of your target customers is a must for all aspiring entrepreneurs.
Rafe explains why it's crucial for small business owners in every industry to keep tabs on what their competitors are up to. He also shares easy and inexpensive ways to do it.
Rafe explains how to quickly and dramatically ramp up the ROI of your PR spend.
Can the music of the Bee Gees gain traction with today's music listeners? Rafe thinks so. Peruse his idea to keep the trio's sounds stayin' alive.
Describing yourself on LinkedIn as a disrupting crushmaster, ninja change agent, or guru rainmaker don't just make you look like a choad doofus, it can also squash your chances of landing a new gig. Rafe explains why.
Twisted Sister did a lot of other things right to sell over 10,000,000 albums around the world. Here are five examples of their righteous recipe.
Successful brands continuously seek new ways to delight their customers and attract new ones, but music radio stations aren't listening to that idea. If they don't tune in soon, their refusal to update their approach will hasten their demise.
Can media coverage be strategically leveraged by B2B firms to generate incoming inquiries, leads, and sales? Most definitely! It can also energize offline sales, activate old or uninterested prospects, and stimulate the beginning stages of buyer’s journeys from new customers. Here's how to do it.
Marketers should spend more time learning about their customers and less time inhaling the sweet smoke of their own overcooked marketing slang.
A familiar acronym among sales pros explains why Trump loyalists continue to avidly support the president, explains Rafe.
Can companies in all industries learn from the incredible success of U.K. pop band One Direction? Absolutely! Here's how.
Rafe explains how understanding WIIFM can make or break a startup's sales efforts.
He knew voters were tired of being wooed and campaigned to in the typical way. So he took the conventional M.O. and trashed it.
If you aspire to be a brave and bold innovator, "Moneyball" is one of the most instructive movies to see and learn from. Rafe breaks it down.