February 25th, 2010
My mom always used to say that you shouldn’t start out a thank you note with an apology, even if you were late sending the thank you. I read this post today from Seth Godin about not starting out blogs or emails or anything else with an apology. He has great reasons why you shouldn’t. I would also like to add that I feel like an apology at the beginning of anything makes the rest of the message feel very weak and defeated. That is definitely not how you want to come across to your customers, your potential customers, your employees, etc.
(reposted from Seth Godin’s blog)
I don’t understand blog posts, emails and other messages that begin with an apology.
If you’re sorry to interrupt me with that spam, don’t send it.
If you know that yet another blog post on a topic that’s not of interest to your readers will annoy them, don’t post it.
If you’re in HR and you know that no one in the office is going to read your office-wide spam about yet another inane meeting, don’t bother us.
On the other hand, if it’s important, if it needs to be said, if it benefits not just you but the recipient, then just send it. Instead of an apology, clearly label it so it’s easy to ignore or discard. Even better, don’t send everyone a message aimed at just a few people. It’s easier than ever to focus on the people you need to focus on.
Just because it’s more convenient for you to blast everyone in your address book doesn’t mean it’s smart.
Tags: Add new tag, apology, Audrey Keyes, blog, email marketing, Seth Godin
Posted in Audrey Keyes | No Comments »
February 22nd, 2010
- Pages allow a business to “Publish to the Stream” (this shows up on your fans homepage)
- Pages allow a business to engage fans with Rich Media (video, pictures, events)
- Pages let a business analyze how fans are interacting with the Insights Dashboard (FB has deep analytics)
- Pages let a business increase SEO (pages show up in higher Google keyword searches)
- Pages allow you to run highly targeted demographic ads to attract only those that are relevant to your business.
- Pages allow you to arrange Tabs in the order you like (with the exception of the Wall and Info)
- Pages allow you to force a particular tab to open first for new visitors. Example: You can have a tab that introduces your team, your area, or you.
Reference: http://areweconnected.com
Tags: Facebook, fan pages, Social Media
Posted in Audrey Keyes, Marketing, Social Media | No Comments »
February 22nd, 2010
(Reposting article by Dean Campbell | Published 10.25.06)
Trying to decide whether you need the services of a big ad agency? Here are a few things to consider, before you hand over your marketing plan (and budget) for the coming year.
Big ad agencies are great. In their own little way. They take care of big budget projects, in a big way. But smaller jobs, like sell sheets, brochures, buck slips and direct mail? Forget it. You’re going to wait. And wait. And wait. On the other hand, a small agency has the time to give your business the one-on-one attention it needs. Thanks to lower overheads, a small agency it also much more flexible when it comes to both pricing and I-need-it-by-end-of-day timing.
Big agencies are renowned for two things: big egos and big bureaucracies. The Creative Director and Senior Account Manager who pitched your business? Odds are they’re off pitching another new business account somewhere and you’ll end up working with juniors. Or trainees. When you work with a small agency, you work directly with the President and Senior Creative talent. People with the experience and knowledge necessary to help you actually sell more and raise brand visibility.
Big agencies have a lot of layers. And mouths to feed. This means that unless you have a big advertising budget they can’t afford to service your account profitably. Conversely, a small agency will service the heck out of you. Even in the evenings, if need be. Without having to deal with all big agency politics, a small agency is free to focus on the task at hand - building your business and profitability.
Big agencies move painfully slowly. A small one moves at lightening speed. Without multiple approval layers to contend with, projects get executed efficiently and quickly. What’s more, without the typical agency divide between “creative” and “suits”, a small agency can be much more imaginative when it comes to both executional tactics and how to stretch your advertising dollar.
Small agency or big agency? I’d go with small. You still get big ideas. Just without the big, big price tag.
Tarte Advertising IS the small agency with big ideas. Call 513.984.8278 for information on how we can work with you.
Tags: advertising agency, budget, Marketing, small agency, Tarte Advertising
Posted in Jen Casperson, Marketing, Tarte Advertising | No Comments »
January 25th, 2010
It has been a while since I posted an Inspiration Monday entry, but I had a few people tell me how much they really enjoyed them. So, here is a brand new one for you to start the week out. Hope this inspires you.
I have a 4 year old (nearly 5), and one of the first things she learned to sing was the alphabet. I am sure this is the same for most kids. I know for myself, it was. The ABC’s - ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYandZ. It is something that sticks with you for life. Everyone can sing the tune. Simple. Basic.
Something that I love and that truly inspires me is seeing something very basic, like the alphabet, taken to a new level. Below are some really creative ways that designers and illustrators have taken the ABC’s and “renewed” them. Jazzed them up. Given them a new life. Made them seem to be something “different” than they once were.
Today, I challenge you to look around. Really take a good look at all the simple, basic things that surround you on a daily basis, and if even only in your head - renew those things - jazz them up - make them new. Be inspired by something simple today. Be inspired by something you didn’t think could inspire you. Just be inspired.
Tags: alphabet, creative, Inspiration Mondays
Posted in Audrey Keyes, Inspiration Monday | 1 Comment »
January 13th, 2010
We have been working with Websites By Kristen for over 3 years now & truly have enjoyed building a great relationship with the company. They are fast, experienced, smart and we just work really well together. Yesterday, Websites By Kristen posted a blog entry that I found to not only be one filled with great advice, but also one that made me laugh out loud - several times. Check out the entry below and be prepared to have a good giggle.
Top 10 Things I HATE To Put in A Website
Lets face it, there’s a lot of ugly websites out there. The Oatmeal published one of my favorite articles about the life of a web designer which can be found here: http://theoatmeal.com/comics/design_hell. There is a fine balance between doing what you know is best as a professional web designer and doing what your client wants in order to please them.
Most of the time you can come to a happy medium, but sometimes you just have to give in and do what the client’s wallet wants or risk not getting paid for your work. I definitely have several websites I have completed that I feel are not worthy of my portfolio because my client butchered a really good design with crazy web crap. So here’s a fun little list of the top 10 things I HATE to put in a website.
1. Animated Gifs. These were cool in 1992 on a personal geocities website… not in 2010 on a professionally designed business website. I would rather fire myself from a job than have 60 dancing bananas all over a website I designed.
… kill me now…
2. Scrolling marquee text. People hate to read, so why would you want to force them to read MOVING TEXT!! So counterproductive….
Websites by Kristen does not condone the use of scrolling marquee’s. Make it stop!!!!
3. Large font size… I’m sorry, but most people can read 12-14 point font. Just because you are blind and can’t read your own website doesn’t mean the rest of the world can’t. That’s why they make accessibility tools in your browser.
Your body text font should not be this big! If you think it should, get some glasses!
Read the last of the list by clicking here. Thank you Kristen Kirby for this post!
Tags: design, Kristen Kirby, Website Design, Websites By Kristen
Posted in Audrey Keyes, Guest Blogger, Websites | 1 Comment »
