Tracking Your World

For those of you who are seriously concerned about categorizing humans via barcodes, you may not want to read this post.

For the rest of you, I'd suggest checking out this nifty new app.

Stickybits is an application available to those who own the iPhone or the Android. You can scan a barcode and upload various media, including resumes, recipes, video, pictures and random text, to the website under that bar code. While this new app isn't very popular yet, I see great things for it's future. The only drawback is that this app is only available for those two phones right now. Those of us stuck with other models of phones are out of luck until the app grows and new options are available.

If you have an iPhone or Android, check it out. Let me know how you like it.

Business Floors

My parents have a beautiful, cherry, hardwood floor in their house. In fact, when I was in high school I helped my Father put that floor in and while it was nice then, it is so much prettier now.

See, my Father had a plan in mind when he put that floor in. He chose the cherry wood carefully, knowing that as time passed and light hit the floor, it would start to change. Every inch of sunlight that crept through the blinds and spilled across the floor would change it from a light wood, with no real character, into something more. When you look at the floor today, there is little left of it's original color. Instead, what you see are variations in the wood from light to dark.

This change didn't happen overnight. And my Father always carefully watched over the transformation - no rugs or furniture were allowed on the floor, because the light wouldn't hit those spots. We always took our shoes off, so we wouldn't scratch the floor. If we ever spilled anything we always cleaned it up quickly.

Of course, even with being careful, things happened. There are dents and scratches from the grandchildren. You can tell where things were dropped and where things were moved.

The floor isn't perfect, but it has character - it tells a wonderful story.

Does your business do that? If you built your business, you've been there from the beginning. You had a plan for that business. So how has it turned out? Does your business have a beautiful character? Do all those dents and scratches tell your story? It's not too late.

It A Jungle Out There!

I'm always a big fan of creative ad campaigns done well. I'm also always a fan of announcing new products because that usually means larger ad budgets. Two weeks ago, while in Baltimore for an Orioles' game, a string of ladies were handing out a new scent from Degree. I accepted a handful of fragrances for further review and went on my way.

Last weekend I was in Baltimore again. There weren't any free samples this time, but Degree, whose new slogan is, "Dare to join forces with nature," had another promotion for their newest scent. The top of the bus station had been turned into a jungle. I wonder how many other cities enjoyed this mini-jungle of flowers in the middle of their cement jungles.




I haven't seen what else Degree has up their sleeves, but kudos to their media planners for some fun (albeit predictable) promotions.

We Are The Champions!

Or are we the sellouts?

This blog was going to be about Twitter's new advertising options. If you've paid attention - there has been a big uproar in the Twitterverse about the decision to allow ads to appear at the top of posts. Of course it had to happen, because Twitter is a business and businesses must make money to survive.
This blog was going to be about Twitter, but when I logged on to write, I decided to write about selling out instead. As an advertiser, I am not upset that there are multiple vehicles that I can use to reach consumers. I am concerned with ensuring that my messages are well-received. I am concerned with the idea of selling out.
Blogger has announced a new advertising method in addition to Google AdSense and Google AdSense for feeds. You can now connect directly to Amazon, recommend books or gadgets and get a commission when your readers then buy those books.

"Starting today, you can search the Amazon product catalog without leaving the Blogger interface and insert links to the products you find into your posts. Not only is the process of linking to products more efficient, but Amazon makes it easy for you to earn money whenever your readers actually buy the products you write about. " - Blogger Description

How tempting.

Now, as a book or gagdet reviewer you can start making money when someone buys that product. Kind of makes you want to give them more favorable review now, doesn't it?

Stealing Second

Last weekend we attended a game during the Orioles opening weekend. Despite the fact that the game was rather disappointing (they lost), the inundation of ads was fascinating. Everywhere I looked the walls, displays and field were cluttered with ads. I think we've all come to accept this as another element of attending a baseball game. After all, the stadiums also have to make money and judging by the low attendance they would need to raise those ticket prices again.

One ad stuck out for me though.

If a baseball stadium can use text messages as a form of helpful advertising, shouldn't your business be doing the same thing?
I already get text ads from Dominos Pizza, Old Navy and Sprinkles cupcakes. They're non-intrusive and most of them only show up about twice a month announcing the latest coupons and deals.
How can your business stay up-to-date with the latest trends and find opportunity with new phone technologies?

It's a Beautiful Day...

... to smash a computer. Most of us sit in front of a computer for several hours every day and every day we accomplish the majority of our work in relative ease. Somedays, however, the computer decides to take a different turn - websites won't display, you can't log in to your e-mail and the only thing you can do is sigh in frustration as every thing you do becomes a little more difficult.

As spring creeps in, remember to step away from your desk for a little bit when you have these frustrating days. Take ten minutes and walk outside to stay refreshed. And while you're out there, take a look around you. Maybe you'll be inspired by the billboard across the street or the passing bus or your neighboring business. Maybe you'll find a new way to market your business.

That's why every good media plan comes built in with a contingency fund - that's right, a well-written media plan even plans for the unknown. Because on those days when you want to smash your computer in frustration you might just walk away for a minute and find your next biggest thing.

It's a beautiful day, what are you going to do with it?

Fun Fun Fun... For Now.

I just saw this video and had to post it for review. It suggests that making something fun will change the behavior of people. I'd argue that this works for a limited time, but soon people will see the benefit in gaining those extra minutes rather than obeying a sign, because the lottery approach would only work for so long. Not enough people would win and pessimism (or rationality) would eventually kick in when the general public finally figured out their chances of winning were rather slim.

Insurance companies, like Allstate, have tried a version of this by rewarding people for safe driving records. Allstate has a good idea because it's based on individual behavior with individual rewards.

State lotteries that reward safe driving? I'm not seeing a future in this, however, I will applaud a good attempt and some creativity.