The New Truth about Powerpoint
Wednesday, March 17th, 2010
Show me, Don't tell me
If you read my last post, then you’ll know that Powerpoint has its place in communications if used correctly. However, at a recent trade show, I discovered an interesting phenomenon: on the show floor, Powerpoint does not belong. Like trying to avoid Medusa’s deadly gaze, attendees would quickly turn away whenever Powerpoint reared its ugly head.
Ok, maybe that is being a little harsh. As a title slide, Powerpoint works. Even as an intro slide that lays out the basics of what will be presented. But the trick is to get past the slide quickly.Why? Because on the show floor, you have only a few seconds to grab someone’s attention.
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Posted in Messaging | 1 Comment »
A Flying Stink-o-Potamus?
Wednesday, January 6th, 2010
What, you ask, is a Flying Stink-o-Potamus (also known as a Lying Stink-o-Potamus)? According to Steve Kayser in his article The Seven New Rules of Business Presentations, it’s a bad presentation.
I ran across this article randomly, but found it pretty engaging. (more…)
Tags: marketing, powerpoint, presentations
Posted in Messaging | 2 Comments »
Going to a Show? Got a Message?
Wednesday, November 11th, 2009
With some of the tradeshows I’m familiar with just around the corner (GDC, I/ITSEC, DICE, and others), I’ve been thinking a lot about strategies for approaching events, and just what to advise companies who are thinking about exhibiting. Here are some of my strategic tips:
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Tags: event management, GDC, marketing, marketing communications, marketing messaging, Messaging, trade show management, trade shows
Posted in Marketing, Messaging | 2 Comments »
Editors as Copywriters?
Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009
AdWeek just wrote an article about a disturbing new trend taking place in the online world, on sites like Deadspin and Thrillist. It seems that editors are now writing ad content for advertisers and weaving the ad into the page content. Imagine reading your favorite sports column and then suddenly seeing an article for Wendy’s hot and juicy burgers. Talk about interruption marketing!
Advertisers love it because they are no longer relegated to the oft-overlooked side bar. Online sites argue that their editors know their readers best, so who better to write the copy. Even if this is seems like a marriage of the long-divorced church and state, I argue that both advertisers and sites are missing the point. There is a reason why TiVo exists, why print ads are dwindling in number and why social media is gaining steam – consumers don’t want to be interrupted.
Tags: advertising, AdWeek, Copywriting, marketing
Posted in Marketing, Messaging | No Comments »
(Written) Content is Still King
Wednesday, October 28th, 2009
For those not paying attention, there has been a pretty monumental shift in marketing over the last few years. To put it simply, we’ve evolved from the more traditional world of interruption marketing to the world of permission marketing.
So what does all that mean for copywriters who have built their careers on catchy ad slogans? For the savvy copywriter who knows how to evolve, it can spell opportunity.
Consider these points:
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Tags: content development, copywriter, Copywriting, interruption marketing, Marketing Writing, permission marketing, web content
Posted in Messaging | No Comments »
Do You Need a Messaging Expert?
Wednesday, October 14th, 2009
Well, do you? Anyone can write. After all, we are taught to write in school. Some people excel at it, and some people don’t. But putting words on paper is something almost anyone can do. Right?
Not exactly.
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Tags: Branding, Copywriting, marketing, marketing messaging
Posted in Messaging | 3 Comments »
Meet Me @ the Corner of Marketing and Messaging
Monday, October 12th, 2009
When people ask me whether I am a copywriter or a marketer, I always answer the same way – I am both. Why? Because the two professions are intrinsically connected.
Here’s an example of what I mean: Executives at an early stage company want the company to have more visibility in the market. Their idea is to run ads, reach out to editors, do direct mail, re-design the web site, and other tactics – all of which can be effective tools for raising awareness and driving leads.
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Tags: Branding, Copywriting, marketing, Marketing Writing
Posted in Marketing, Messaging | No Comments »
Writing Effective Web Site Copy
Saturday, June 20th, 2009
Web sites have become a necessity in today’s business world. These seven tips can help companies get the most out of the words they put on each page.
1. Know your Audience. Before one word is put on a site, it is critical to understand your audience and what motivates them to act. Without that key information, you run the risk of producing rambling, ineffectual copy and organizing it in such a way that does not motivate your customers to contact you.
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Tags: Branding, Copywriting, Marketing, Marketing Writing, web content, writing for the web
Posted in Messaging | 1 Comment »
Press release writing is simple, right?
Thursday, June 11th, 2009
Recently, I’ve noticed more and more requests for uncompensated press release writing. After all… a press release is only a page or so in length, right? How long can it take?
The truth is…press release writing contains many rules that add time and energy to the task. Here are just a few of those rules:
Headline – Creating a headline is not only about making it interesting enough to grab someone’s attention in a newsworthy fashion. Writers must also consider words that can drive visibility on search engines, such as the company’s name and industry-specific terminology.
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Tags: news announcements, press release writing, press releases, writing for PR, writing press releases
Posted in Messaging | No Comments »
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