May 14, 2008
What's the Price of Creativity?
My wife, Eileen, is an excellent writer. After years of teaching at Boston College and publishing short stories in literary magazines, she's now working on novels for the young adult market. A couple of weekends ago, she participated in a rigorous, one-day workshop teaching writers how to position their work to agents and publishers. Although she got encouraging feedback, Eileen came home weary.
January 7, 2008
'Video, Will You Take Story as Your Lawfully Wedded Wife?'
One of my concerns about video -- in a blog or as a "videocast" on the Web -- is in its becoming a clutter of talking heads: person in front of fixed camera, talking. Which means, frankly, an audience of site visitors, yawning. Or worse, leaving.
December 19, 2007
New and Improved! Latest, Greatest Way for Marketer to Shoot Himself in Foot!
Among online marketing blogs/forums, I see two common threads of discussion: 1) Endless touting of the latest technique (blogs, video, podcast, WOM, social networking, you name it): why it's so great; why you just have to do it. In fact, why aren't you doing it (whatever it is) yet? And...
March 13, 2007
What Happens When You Get a Little Publicity?
Many entrepreneurs dream of the "big hit," a flattering reference from a major media outlet that sends customers streaming their way. (Think of what Rosie O'Donnell did for Tickle Me Elmo, for example.)
February 1, 2007
Mass(achusetts) Panic
Yesterday, an innovative marketing gimmick for TBS' "Adult Swim" program, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, inadvertently froze Boston in a terrorist panic. What were intended to be buzz-worthy signs were interpreted to be potential terrorist bombs....
January 2, 2007
The Point Of It All
Alright, I’m a big boy and I’ve long since learned that the mainstream media will almost always regard direct marketing with condescension. (Rare exception: Malcolm Gladwell’s brilliant 2001 profile of Ron Popeil in the New Yorker)....
November 7, 2006
Do We Still Need to Grab 'Em Young?
In Sunday's Boston Globe, Chris Reidy's article, Experienced Musician for Hire, addressed the growing phenomenon of famous-name music acts pitching products via songs or even TV ad appearances....
October 12, 2006
The Real Way to Attract a Publisher's Attention
Pitching a book to a publisher? Chances are you'll emphasize two things: 1) your big idea and 2) your credentials -- your talent, expertise, experience, etc....
September 15, 2006
WOM Is Not SOB
Hey marketers out there: How many times have you had this kind of conversation...?
August 10, 2006
Is Money the New Sex?
Once upon a time, sex was unmentionable among polite people....
July 12, 2006
No Threat to the Old Ways?
The Boston Business Journal recently ran an article on marketing integration that caught my eye....
June 29, 2006
The Last Word May Be a Number
Numbers move people to action....
June 16, 2006
Happy Bloomsday!
In honor of the anniversary of Bloomsday, June 16, 1904, the day on which the novel Ullyses is set, I pose the following question...
June 9, 2006
Communications and Connecting to Culture
Yesterday I played hooky from work...
May 26, 2006
So What Really Moves the Web Traffic Needle?
Here at the Daily Fix and throughout the Internet, there’s been tons of discussion...
May 24, 2006
Do Bears Brand in the Woods?
Often when I see or read an ad, I try to "reverse engineer" the creative process...
May 12, 2006
What's New in Direct Mail?
In June, I'm participating in a panel discussion on direct mail strategies at the annual New England Direct Marketing Association conference....
April 28, 2006
Are You a Business Book Junkie?
If you’re a regular attendee of marketing association events, you’ve seen the type: Eager entrepreneurs or ambitious managers who’ve read every business and marketing book imaginable....
April 22, 2006
Marketers Who Give a Damn
I'm getting ready to leave Santa Barbara at the end of the Finders, Keepers seminar....
April 21, 2006
When the Presentation Doesn't Go Well
I'm enjoying the second day at MarketingProfs Finders, Keepers workshop and I've noticed something important...
When the Presentation Doesn't Go Well
I'm enjoying the second day at MarketingProfs Finders, Keepers workshop and I've noticed something important...
April 20, 2006
How Do You Know When Your Copy Sucks?
Last night I saw the Pacific Ocean for the first time as I flew into Santa Barbara for MarketingProfs' Finders Keepers two-day intensive marketing workshop....
How Do You Know When Your Copy Sucks?
Last night I saw the Pacific Ocean for the first time as I flew into Santa Barbara for MarketingProfs' Finders Keepers two-day intensive marketing workshop....
April 14, 2006
Opening Doors Without Key(word)s
It’s amazing, sometimes, how a little piece of information can be just what you need to take your next step....
April 7, 2006
Do Your Customers Know How to Exploit You?
Like many people, I tend to regard Microsoft as a necessary evil....
April 5, 2006
Which Publishers Matter?
I just had lunch with Rosemary Brutico of Quintessence Communications where we had a terrific conversation about marketing, consulting and publishing....
March 31, 2006
Is Traditional Advertising Dead?
In 10 years of copywriting and consulting with clients, I can't think of a single instance where a traditional print ad made a meaningful contribution to a client's marketing and sales ambitions....
March 28, 2006
What's your story?
|
