Paul Merrill
Joe Montana loves his new Skechers shoes so much that he wants to throw them far away.
(What were the ad creators thinking?!)
Note two: these shoes are supposed to help the wearer burn more calories. Isn’t that what all sporting shoes will do – if you use them while exercising? I think they will help you burn even more calories if you continually throw them down a football field, retrieve them and repeat the process.
I got a free subscription to a men’s magazine. One issue and then I canceled – but that’s another story.
The magazine had five separate ads for cologne with scent-laden flaps. Two might have been alright. Five? None of those advertisers are getting much bang-for-their buck.
Analogy: If you ate a meal and then had ice cream, two scoops would be enjoyable. But five?
The Checker Auto Parts store in our neighborhood quietly changed its name to O’Reilly Auto Parts. The only change was the sign. The transition was mandated by some high-level corporate decision… I think a corporate merger was involved.
I’d consider the change to be a waste of money, as long as the Checker name still exists (which it does).
Takeaway: If you’re going to change your name, make it worth your while. Change something else too.
My friend Jon Swanson spearheaded a great campaign to reduce the debt his church has on their building. He came up with several ways to view how the monthly mortgage payments could be better used – in this instance, one monthly payment could be used to fund a large number of New Testaments, rather than paying interest.
Takeaway: What are some ways you can use your resources in a better way?
There are two directions people go with their blogs – having dates with their posts and not having dates. I vote yes for putting the date with your post. Reasons?
1. It shows your readers that you are staying current with your blog.
2. It gives your readers a frame of reference for when the material was created. This is important for determining if the information might be relevant. In many fields these days, the latest information is vital. (This is true for social media, the area I work in.)
The other argument is that “my information is timeless”. That may be true – but your readers would like to know when you thought that particular thought. Maybe you have changed your thinking since then! (Not many people take time to go back to update all of their posts.)
If you are giving timeless information – and it’s valuable – just post it again, in a different way. Readers are smart enough to search your blog for that topic, if they liked what you had to say.
Finally, sometimes I actually will leave a blog when the blog is giving technical information and there is not date with the post.
I thought that this headline represented an unusual choice. I chalk it up to marketing innocence – or ignorance.
My thoughts were several: does this mean that I can retire if I start an online business? That Patty Duke has already retired online, except for her promising modeling career? That this website (not prominently featured) would help me to learn how to retire? That as an internet user, I am encouraged to help an older person who does not know how to use the internet?
Takeaway: Writers, let’s think a little more carefully before we publish those headlines.
So I went on a business trip last week. My itinerary included three airports. The Fort Wayne airport had a museum devoted to airplanes and flying. It was small, but I enjoyed my visit.
My only critical comment was that there was absolutely no focus. As you can tell from these photos, the display ranged from Leonardo da Vinci and Lego fighter jets to a large section on Art Smith, a local pioneer in the realm of flying.
Takeaway: How can you bring focus to what you are doing? (And many may point that finger at me – how can I bring focus to this blog? I have thought about that – but I enjoy being able to cover a wide range of topics. I’m seriously pondering a separate site where I do focus more. This site will most likely remain my sandbox to play in.)
One evening, I watched all of Apple’s iPad videos. But then, I’m a fanboy, so it was fun.
I noticed a few things – none of the models were older than about 32. I remember seeing a kid in only one. The rooms that each video was shot in were perfect. The models represented a little politically-correct ethnic diversity. (I think the mix was fairly close to what their real life buyers might be – maybe the videos were a little heavy on the African-American side.)
None of this was surprising to me.
Apple is selling a lifestyle. “If you buy an iPad, you will look like this.”
Don’t buy that. (But if you can afford it and can actually use one, do buy an iPad. Or at least buy and use a coffee press.)
And finally, since today is earth day, I would ask you to consider not buying that next “thing” on your list, whether it’s an iPad or a coffee press. Instead, use the thing you already have and make it work. That choice will be very green, if you care about such matters.
Have you ever looked closely at a mail truck? (If you’re in the UK, substitute a milk float.)
It’s a crude design… The bolts are exposed. The gas cap is visible. The corners are square. The windshield is nearly upright.
But so what? Most of the time, it travels no more than 30 mph. Aerodynamics – no need. Style – why should they bother? Speed – next to none. Cushy ride – well, the postal worker might appreciate better.
The cheapest car you can buy has a much smoother design. Its interior is way more refined. But its intended function is different. And car manufacturers have hugely more competition for than mail truck creators.
Takeaway: Don’t put too much effort into something that doesn’t need it.
Faithful readers will know that I enjoy looking at the Sunday newspaper coupon supplements for a few moments of amusement each week.
Swiss iced tea? No. At least not in gallon containers. Even then, no. Iced tea is a distinctively American thing. Gallon clear plastic jugs of a cold beverage are not very Swiss.
Diet Swiss iced tea? Even further removed from reality.
Finally, I went to the where to buy section of their site, typed in “Switzerland” – and you guessed it – “No results found.”
