Issue 00 - The Rant That Started it All

In the glossary of marketing terms, there is none so exhausting and manipulative as “game changer”.

Game-changing marketing hacks, game-changing AI prompts, the one Facebook ad strategy that absolutely CHANGES. THE. GAME. 

I mean, which game are we even changing at this point?

Are we supposed to be changing the original game, or the game the last guy changed with his game-changing strategy? 

And if the game keeps changing every 15 minutes, how do we even know what the board looks like anymore? (Wait…board? Screen? Are we playing Risk or Fortnite? I’ve lost track.)

Marketers are out here hacking games, and gaming formulas, and frameworking shortcuts like freaky little Doozers chasing the next big performance milestone. 

And after 20+ years in this industry, a disturbing thing I’ve noticed is how some of the most egregious marketing language is aimed at marketers. 

Have we become so cynical that we don't even have empathy for ourselves anymore? 💔

I think we need to take a break from all hack-changing, game-prompting, checklists, and playbooks and literally, emotionally, and philosophically touch grass before we become burned-out husks.

Be a little less Doozer and a lot more Fraggle.

So, I’d like to start a little experiment here.

To remind myself— and maybe you too, if you’re into it— that we’re marketing to humans. That we are humans. 

That we’re…Marketing While Human (hey, that’s the name of the newsletter!) 😉

So, once a month, I’ll share some things with you: thoughts, resources from people much smarter than me, music, books, jokes, and general cultural ephemera. 

Cool stuff. Fun stuff. Stuff that inspires me and that hopefully inspires you too.

Some of it will be marketing adjacent but a lot of it totally won’t.

And that’s the point.

I want to leave the tips, hacks, checklists, formulas, and frameworks at the door. Lots of people are already giving you those.

What I want to do is slow down, put on our soft pants, listen to a song, look at a bird, and drink a cup of tea with the muse. ☕

The real game changer* might just come from having as much fun as we can.

Who am I to think I have the authority to put together something as illustrious as a monthly newsletter? 

Well…my name is Alexis, and I’m pretty much just like you.

So let’s go play! 💖

Your Fellow Human,
Alexis

*Yeah, I used the thing I'm railing against to make my own point. I see the irony. That’s what we do here.

If you’re anything like me, having fun is a close fourth on the list of essentials next to food, water, and air.

Turns out, it’s dang near as vital to our development as individual humans as well as the development of our entire culture, systems, and laws as a species.

Playing is absolutely essential. 

In her book, The Power of Fun: How to Feel Alive Again, Catherine Price emphasizes the importance of “True Fun”, which consists of playfulness, connection, and flow, and how our changing relationships with time and technology are robbing us of opportunities to play.

Imagination and creativity thrive in a playful environment. 

Your next big idea isn’t going to come from grinding—so go put your skates on, get playful, and feel the flow! 🛼

You’ve read enough of my dumb words. Now rest your eyes on something beautiful and strange.

This month’s picks for tuning in and tapping out:

🎶 “Green Grass” - Tom Waits: Lay down and listen to the most romantic love song from beyond the grave. The lyrics smell of wet earth, and Waits’ voice is fresh asphalt gravel.

🎙️Episode 1686 Barack Obama - WTF with Marc Maron: WTF’s final episode with the man I really miss and the man I’m really gonna miss. Great, surprisingly calming conversation.

📺 The Chair Company - Absolute peak Tim Robinson. Your new favorite unhinged workplace comedy.

🎬 Every Little Thing - Magical, heartbreaking, and hopeful documentary about hummingbirds.

Take a break, a breath, and a sip. There will be snacks.

Menu: 

Marvelous Ms. Maple - Make an Earl Grey latte and sweeten it with maple syrup. Use collagen powder instead of milk because you’re Gen X/Millennial and could use the joint support. 

Pair with lightly toasted naan topped with cookie butter and blueberries.

Instructions: Gaze out over a mist-covered lake and listen for the call of the loons. 

Come over analyze with me!

For me, it’s starting this newsletter. It’s something I’ve been thinking about doing for a long time. 

As a digital marketer, I spend sooooo much time doing things fast on the interweb.

I wanted to slow down and have a place to tinker, like the weird neighbor in “What’s He Building?”, but less…hermity. 

I like curating. I like finding things that I think will be helpful or interesting to people.

I don’t have lofty goals for this, outside of hopefully putting together something that I’m proud of. 

What about you? What could you do for yourself, your business, or your customers just because it’s fun?

Feel free to send me your thoughts at [email protected].

I’ll feature a few responses (if I get some 🤪) next month in Reply All.

Your thoughts here. I’d love to hear from you!

Thanks for taking the time to play with me.

Now close the laptop, go outside, and see who’s winning the birdbath.