During LSB’s 2009 Brandworks University®, we asked attendees how they would jumpstart conversations despite a world of conversational clutter.  Below are some of the most broadly applicable answers that attendees shared.  Enjoy and be sure to add your own tips for jumpstarting conversations in the comments section.

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“Conversations can be jumpstarted by empowering people to help make our good products great…asking for help along the good-to-great theme,” Sargento Foods.

“Be humble. It’s not about you [the marketer], it’s about them [consumers],” Neutrogena.

“Timing is everything—deliver the message during a relevant occasion that ties to your brand experience,” Brown-Forman.

“Give a face to your brand or company that represents your values and allow them to converse in the digital space in a way people can respond and relate,” Sunny Delight Beverages Company.

“Be human. Engage existing participants of a conversation and ask permission to feature that conversation on a brand site. Value conversation and elevate it with permission,” Clif Bar & Company.

“Be simple and direct; make it about something else that reframes your brand or category in consumers’ minds to make an emotional connection. Create the love,” Kimberly-Clark.

“Be transparent: Represent your brand in the community as the Brand. Motivate the Community: Incentivize and reward “brand ambassadors” for passing along brand communications and offers. Be relevant to the community,” Rayovac.

“Focus on the key words or attributes that consumers use in association with your brand and drive your activity around them,” Culligan International.

“All relationships are built one by one. In a world of conversational clutter—slow down. Invest in a relationship to have it be real,” Chazen Museum of Art.

“Be active and persistent and join the conversation every day. Aristotle said excellence is a habit,” Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce.

“Develop a multi-faceted communication program utilizing both traditional media and truly interactive social media channels, where listening and acting upon your human being’s wants is KING,” Marshfield Clinic.

“Start from within—have employees or current customers start communicating and expressing your brand experience,” Wisconsin School of Business.

“Regardless of media you must be authentic and relevant and have fun!” Rayovac.

“Reach out, amplify and go to where consumers are—don’t depend on them to come to us,” Sargento.


“Focus on a niche topic or conversation and provide focused, relevant insight, tips and information,” Drs. Foster & Smith.

“Give your customers a reason to engage with you, commit to frequent communication and don’t be afraid to let go, experiment and be nimble in your acts,” Advanstar Communications.

“Have a product or offer a product that is so good and so unique and so “in-demand” that it is worth talking about,” Gilda’s Club.

“Be honest and accountable—you can be a brand advocate and still acknowledge other points of view,” Compass Point.

“It’s like an online dinner party. You share, listen and interact. Some leave happy, some complain about the chicken. Most importantly, you were there. Be a good host and a good guest,” Secura Insurance.