Why?
Wanted to watch Leverage tonight, but noooo
August 16, 2009
April 05, 2009
Tweets rather than posts
I'm posting more to twitter these days than here, and it makes sense for me. Twitter is better for short thoughts and updates vs. longer, thought-out ramblings.
Overheard on Facebook the other day:
"I was asked to join twitter, but am not sure I understand what it is for. It just looks like a lesser version of Facebook to me.
Sigh.
I explained that it was really just a social cognitive surplus heat sink like Gilligan's Island used to be, better explained by Mr. Shirky here
March 19, 2009
Product Development over Advertising?
"...instead of focusing on advertising, we should instead focus on making the product better and getting people excited about it. If people are excited about your product, they are more likely to post about it, giving you direct exposure to their readers....we’ve learned that good promotion just depends on the quality of your product and whether or not people are excited. So put your head down, improve your product, and get people excited about it."
March 17, 2009
Where are all the tradesmen?
As I perused the latest issue of Chicago magazine at my parents' over the weekend, I noticed what I think is an important omission in the sample job categories of "who makes what". Tradesmen.
Maybe its because I'm the son of a Dachdeckermeister (Master Roofer), but where are the roofers, plumbers, and masons that build the city and keep it from falling apart?
There was one Master Carpenter that is listed (under "Music" working for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra) that is making a handsome salary of over $150k. Today's youth needs to see this, that the trades are a viable option. They don't need an expensive 4-year degree that doesn't guarantee a job, but rather, an apprenticeship program with a tradesman.
I've held many jobs in my day, but I can say I've learned the most working for my father, in our family business. Sure, there was the stressful family-dynamic, but I got to see and experience first-hand all aspects of running a business. Sure beats fetching coffee for a summer as an intern at some Agency dot com.
March 12, 2009
Tricky 3rd Party Opt In Strategies
I was over on Tech Republic today doing some research and while filling out their mortgage application, I mean, online registration, the ZIP code field was not marked as required.. and I had unchecked the "send me emails from our partners" checkbox.
I clicked submit and it came back now telling me that ZIP is required, and the 'partners' checkbox is now, again, checked
I think most folks, myself included, would miss this and correct the error. I know this wasn't done purposely, as the ZIP field is really only required when USA is selected for the country. Yet, with all those whitepapers up there, you'd think there'd be one or two about Quality Assurance?
But wait, there's more. After I logged in to check my profile, I see there's checkbox (checked) for receiving partner offers via postal mail. Whoa, where did that come from?
Remember, look both ways before clicking Submit.
March 11, 2009
How to be #1 on Google
... or at least try. As we're considering white-labeling the Campaign Monitor system, I was curious as to what competition there is out there for "email marketing software".
Well, Campaign Monitor themselves only come up on page four of the Google search results, so I figured we had a lot of SEO work ahead of us. Who's first? Well, EliteEmail, that's who.
So, first I did a search to see who all's linking to EliteEmail, and that's where it gets interesting.
First, there's EliteAnswers (see link in footer "Email Marketing Software"), a 1,700 page site, part of the Elite network. And, if you don't see your site listed, you can add it via Elite Web .. get Express Submission for only $39! And, of course, there's a link for "email marketing" in the footer.
Then there's Elite Lottery Results. Again, with "email marketing software" link in the footer.
Why, even Z Bear Diapers is giving them link juice via a link their newsletter tool signup box (lower left corner)
Did I mention there's an Elite Scheduler? Only $25/mo .. an, oh, a link to "email marketing" in the footer.
So really the trick is to have a network of sites and services. Like I mentioned to my wife, I may not have a million-dollar idea, but I think a have a million one-dollar ideas now. Does that count?
February 22, 2009
You Don't Know Ted
Awhile back, optionsXpress came out with a prospecting tool that used pseudo artificial intelligence that talked to you via a guy named "Ted". Done by the Jellyvision folks I think, of You Don't Know Jack fame.
Today, I see Ted is now working for TD Ameritrade, as a Virtual Investment Consultant.
Mike Maddaloni put cyber Ted to the test, read his chat here.
