Oh, you do that as well?

People love focus. Google “focus and priorities” right now, and you will find a ton of valuable advice and opinions on how you can look at your tasks and focus on the most important ones.

When it comes to marketing a product or service, we also may strive for focus. If we are offering a tool that can do a lot of things, we try not to overwhelm people. We try to simplify our message by only listing the most important features and benefits.

That approach makes sense.

But here’s one thing we shouldn’t be afraid to try once in a while — slipping in a promotion for another product or service while we are delivering or promoting another item.

I included the picture above for a couple of reasons:

• One, I wanted you to know that I think The Wire is the best show ever.
• Two, I love what Blockbuster is doing.

Before they hand you the movie that you are renting, they slap a sticky, printed flyer promoting another movie to the front of yours. Sure, there’s a chance I may ignore it, or simply use it as practice for Paper Toss.

But there are many times that I go to the movie rental store with absolutely no idea as to what I want to watch. As I wander through the store, there’s a good chance that I may see the movie that was advertised on that flyer.  I may not get it — but the fact that I recognize it will absolutely increase the chances that I’ll at least pick it up, and give it some rental consideration.

Before you finish your next sales call, or submit your final PowerPoint presentation, or update your website, think about all the things you can offer.

Sure, you want your conversations, presentations, and content to be focused.

But a little side-promotion is not always a distraction.

It may just help people truly find what they are looking for.