Here's a new rule of work: When it comes to ideas and creativity, spend what you have. Spend it all. This is one of the most valuable rules I learned from a friend (I can't claim originality on this one). I used to wonder whether I should hold back my best ideas, when it came to blogging, or when it came to whatever piece I'm writing, in case I'll need something to draw upon … [Read more...]
Business & Client Expectations – The Arena of Technology
One of the realities of client - company relationships is that, not infrequently, clients may not understand the meaning and significance or processes, protocols, technologies, and media that you must use precisely to maintain an efficient and effective set of client relationships. This can be especially true, if they or you work in a single-person or small office environment, … [Read more...]
Prices: To List or Not to List?
Personally, I rarely publish prices for services, because I think it encourages price shopping, and creates a climate where I can't add value, and so I can't compete. That's bad for the client, because they always get nickel and dimed with mediocrity. With pure price shopping, I'm competing even with unscrupulous and dishonest service providers and even with incompetent ones. I … [Read more...]
Marketing to Stan & Fran & Jan
You're a billion dollar firm putting out a web site to position your company before the entire English-speaking public. Your marketing people are armed with formidable demographic research that, after weeks of culling and analysis, is oriented into a dozen "models" - virtual consumers that will be users of your web site. Another 25% of your audience is detail driven, … [Read more...]
Automated Marketing: a lay gospel
Those who sell you on the idea of purely automated marketing (or marketing without involvement and work) are drawing on the same neurotic belief that convinces you of the possibility of exercise without effort or income without activity. True, there are marketing tools that automate some of the processes involved, but even reasonably adept spammers have a plan; you can tell the … [Read more...]