I’m as much a part of the marketing machine as anyone, creating the messages that try to convince select niche markets that they absolutely, positively need to spend their money on a particular product or service. And yet, when presented with a holiday like Valentine’s Day — something that’s hyped from the youngest preschool classroom…
Category Archives: marketing
Lego for Girls
In the past week, I’ve heard lots of people talking about the new Lego Friends (a.k.a. Lego for Girls) and how they wished that they would be released in time for Christmas so they could give them to their daughters, granddaughters and nieces. Wired did a great overview of the forthcoming sets. The main characters…
Inspiration, Coming Soon
Next week, I’ll be attending the 4th annual Creative Freelancer Conference in Chicago, and let me tell you, I can’t wait. Sure, CFC teaches lots of useful skills and gives insights into important aspects of small business ownership, but the real value is in the people, the ones who inspire me and kick me in…
PowerPoint is Misunderstood
Last month, I was griping about PowerPoint. Honestly, it’s hard not to. But I’m coming to understand that it’s not the software that’s the problem, it’s how we use it. A client asked me to “put together a canned PowerPoint” that they could distribute to a broad audience. This slide deck would require slides (obviously)…
Yes, I’m in Sales
Recently, at the request of one of my colleagues, I bought the Strengths Finder 2.0 book and got the access code for the test. For those who aren’t familiar, you spend about 30 minutes answering a bunch of questions about your approaches to life and work, seemingly innocuous things that will ultimately result in the…
I’m Not Paying
Dear Cook’s Illustrated, You have a phenomenal magazine. You offer wonderful online content through CooksIllustrated.com. America’s Test Kitchen is a great show. But your business practice of sending merchandise that I didn’t order? Appalling. Today in the mail, I got a bill: “It has been more than six months since we shipped you the item(s)…
Book Review: The Creative Professional’s Guide to Money
Creative professionals are in a strange, unique and interesting position. We’re not plumbers or electricians who show up with parts and tools to fix your emergency. Nobody has a design or content emergency (not that they know of, anyway). How do you price a service with intangible value? What is your personal philosophy about money,…
Strategy For All Content
There’s an endless amount of buzz about content strategy and how it can improve your corporate website. I’m a firm believer in content strategy and the results that it can deliver. Not familiar with content strategy? The idea is that the presentation of information — design, navigation and site structure — should be built around…
There Once Was A Girl Named…
My first name has always managed to stump people when they see it. I get a lot of “Alyssa,” “Alicia,” and sometimes even “Alice.” What I rarely get is someone who can pronounce my name correctly (hint: it rhymes with Lisa). Which is why when I got married and took my husband’s 10-letter last name,…