While many people get their business experience around a conference table, I learned a few key lessons at the poker table that no class or meeting could ever have provided.
Everyone who sits at a poker table puts on a poker face. That’s not to say players try to look as blank as possible — in many cases, it’s quite the opposite. By adopting a specific persona, players encourage their competitors to make decisions on the basis of that attitude, in the hope of leading them to call bets they shouldn’t or fold to bluffs.
In business, the point of keeping a poker face (aka “brand identity,” for the purposes of this article) is to encourage consumers and competitors to make choices that benefit you, without having to directly nudge them into making those decisions. They have an impression of who you are and what you will do, but the final move is always your decision. This allows you to control the narrative — and thereby their decision-making — in a passive way, with you playing the controlling role as an outside observer.
When you engage or respond, you’re able to do so from a high-level, bird’s-eye view. You will know how the public and competition see you and the point of view they’re coming from. You’ve established a brand they’re playing off of, and you know how to talk to them and convince them.
This post will introduce five distinct types of poker faces that I’ve seen utilized in business, along with a few pointers on how each type can help maximize the effect of your brand identity.
Sign up to our newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest movements in the field.
More from Ladder Blog
If you’re at all involved in digital marketing you’ll have heard or even said it plenty of times - “best practice.” But the truth is that best practice has been done before. And while it sounds like the be-all and end-all solution - in reality, it's the bare minimum. It's the starting point, not the finish line. It’s a generic blueprint for beginning - which, while super helpful, is not the answer to unlocking growth. What it is, is a foundation on which to build your growth.In the fast-paced world of digital marketing, relying solely on best practices can be a recipe for stagnation. While these practices provide a solid framework, they often fall short in addressing the unique needs and nuances of your brand, business or product.
Read More →
In the fast-paced realm of digital marketing, achieving a high Click-Through Rate (CTR) on Facebook is a game-changer. Even though CTR isn’t always correlated with good Cost per Conversion, all things being equal, improving your CTR will improve your results. Creative testing serves as the secret sauce. It systematically explores various facets within your ad campaigns, a process akin to refining your artistic strokes. The goal? To discover what resonates most profoundly with your audience. This comprehensive guide will navigate you through the world of Facebook CTR enhancement via creative testing, offering actionable strategies, real-world illustrations, and practical tips. If you're ready to harness the full potential of your Facebook ads and supercharge your CTR, read on.
Read More →
