#667 sharp

Currently I own enough Sharpie markers to write continuously for several years.  I am a pen lover in general, but Sharpies are the creme de la creme -- if you are only writing on one side of the page, they are perfect.  I almost always have one within arm's reach.

In addition to the dozens of "regular" Sharpies that I have, there are two that have special significance:  one, I used to sign a beam that is now in the World Trade Center and another was used for autographs at Cardinals spring training.

I don't know why I have such a fetish for this particular brand, but I do.  I can barely walk by them in a store without wanting more.  

Apparently I am not the only Sharpie groupie out there.  At www.sharpie.com you can "join the Sharpie community" and upload pictures of your Sharpie creations.  People have decorated entire rooms only using Sharpies; they have made music videos about them and done outdoor murals.  There are Sharpie blogs, a Sharpie Squad and more ideas than you can imagine.  Their tagline:  "you can do anything with a Sharpie."

Maybe that is true, but I adore this product in an apparently boring and conventional way -- I use them to write!  

But how can you take a lesson from Sharpie and use the web and social media to foster a community with your brand?  Is there a product or service associated with your organization that you can encourage people to use in novel and even outlandish ways?  I'm sure you could whip out a Sharpie and be inspired to create a wonderful plan on how to do so!

-- beth triplett
leadershipdots.blogspot.com

@leadershipdots
leadershipdots@gmail.com