Marketing Lessons from Las Vegas: A Walk, a Laugh, and a Few Big Takeaways

A few years ago, I found myself in Vegas, wandering along the Strip.

I was mulling over the email I needed to write that day, letting ideas bounce around in my head. (Pro tip: if you’re stuck on what to write, go for a walk. It’s amazing how stepping away from the screen can help you outline ideas in your mind.)

Here’s what I learned in Vegas-not at the blackjack tables, but from observing people, situations, and experiences that carried powerful marketing lessons.

Lesson 1: Split Test Everything

Picture this: I was crossing one of those pedestrian bridges across the strip when I noticed a guy holding a sign.

It read:

“I’ll Be Honest, I Need Money For Beer.”

That made me chuckle.

About 30 minutes later, on my way back, I saw the same guy with a new sign:

“My Ex-Wife Had a Better Lawyer.”

I laughed again, but this time a thought struck me: How many signs does this guy have, and which one gets him the most tips?

This is marketing in action-split testing in its rawest form.