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Hi...we've moved. Figured it was best to keep opinion about...some things out of our business blog. Capish? (Sorry, left over from the Italian Festival this past week) If you wanna read about gossip, Iowa, Taxes, Sheryl Crow, and...Light Bombs...huh? You'll understand. Here's Sunday Morning Coffee...careful, it's HOT!
I'm always surprised at the number of folks who do video shoots for business who fail to have a solid shoot schedule in hand and shared with everybody concerned with the effort. "We'll just wing it." is not a good idea...unless you want to burn through time and money.
Shoot schedules are all about the "who", "what", "where" and "why" of what we're doing that keeps everybody, including talent, on the same page. From simple things like "who" is going on location, "what" props and equipment are needed, "why" we're doing the shoot (rational, end game, what we will cover, etc.).
With a solid planning document that is shared with everybody the shoot moves along much faster, everybody understands their role and...there is no guessing. And, it allows you to have a little fun at the same time.
Here's a really quick video, shot with my Flip, that revolved around the Remus Family of Kansas that is part of a much larger project.
A shoot schedule goes a long way in helping non-professionals (talent in this case) better understand what we're doing...and what we're asking of them. Our thanks to the Dossett Family and the Remus Family...on to Ohio, Wisconsin, Georgia...and other places.
Thanks for coming by...if you want to leave a comment here..feel free or let's connect on Twitter @MichaelLibbie (personal and business) @InsightADV (business baby...business) or our agency Facebook Page...have a great weekend.
One more time as in... "Lemme see that one more time." If you've ever had an ad go out and after it's in print realize that it is missing something or the ad is totally wrong or it's the wrong version...you understand that sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach. Who says we don't have stress in our craft?
Perfect Example
Last week we were about to submit a print ad to a national magazine for our client. The piece had been looked at by six different people (three client folks and three of us) and the client's marketing manager had issued his final approval. It came back to me. Yep, I'm the guy who sends the final...final. Somebody has to take the heat. That's when I noticed the ad was missing the company logo. Seriously...that "One more time" moment...caught it.
It's Not Just Mid-Size Companies
Even the "big guns" mess it up. Here is an ad from our friends at Martha Stewart and Everyday Food. (go ahead and click on it to enlarge) Georgie was flipping through a magazine and the this was the inside front cover (not a cheap placement). The entire piece talks about a new iPhone App that readers can install but notice that you've got to put down the magazine, go to the computer and type in the App location.
Wouldn't it have been better to place a QR Code on the page so that the person reading simply picks up his or her iPhone and goes "right now" to the App? I'll bet their conversion rate would have been better.
It's always easier to have "rear-view vision" but...I'll bet the folks that created the ad for Martha charge a whole bunch more than us. "Lemme see that again...". Check and then double...triple check not only the content...the the "why" and make it easy on your customers to connect.
If you would like to leave a comment here...feel free. Or we can connect on Twitter @InsightADV or our Facebook Page Thingy where we post daily tips and ideas from our world of advertising and marketing. Thanks for coming by. - Michael
Once more with a "shoutout". Our weekly opinion and gossip section, "Sunday Morning Coffee" has moved to it's new location. Same conversation about business, politics, gossip, sex, religion...you know, the stuff that makes you crazy...just a different location. Thanks to the Des Moines Register for picking up the jump...
Actually the restaurant business isn't dangerous unless you happen to own one. Statistics tell us that the failure rate of restaurants is one of the highest of all start-ups. Here's a story that came to me from my friend Steve ShraderBachar who is vacationing in Phoenix...in July. Uhm... In Steve's words:
Dinner at Aiello's
"The other night we had dinner at Aiello's a great resturant here in Phoenix. The food was AWESOME, but the reason I am sharing this with you is the marketing aspect. At the table, once the dinner is complete, every patron has a chance to have "dinner on the house" Simply pick a number from 1-90 and it if that numbered tile shows up when the owner Joe Aiello comes by with the check, its on the house!
Wow, what a fabulous thought that was. We didn't win, but just the chance to have a $100 dinner paid for is something else! Then to top it off, he took a liking to my 7 year old so much that he offerred her the chance to pick a 2nd number from 1-90 and if we got that, we would get dessert for free. We didn't pick the number correct, but again its just the simple little act like this that has people talking!
Thought I would share this with you in your quest for innovative marketing ideas!"
A Thought...
The restaurant business is highly personal. Notice that Steve says, "when the owner Joe Aiello comes by with the check...". Everybody wants to know "the boss" and the smart boss checks in with his customers at every chance he can. No doubt Joe is also listening to what is being said. And, it's personal.
Loved the story Steve and thanks for thinking about us...living in the lap of a cool Iowa Summer...not! But, Phoenix in...July?
We do lots of design for our clients. One of our constant concerns is using stock photos. While we, and many others in the advertising world, use stock photos...that's just the problem: You never know WHO ELSE is using your favorite photo for their ad...or their packaging. So, what is the danger? (Go ahead and click on the photos to enlarge.)
Let Me Show You Two Examples
Here's something from...today. (Photo upper right) What you are looking at are TWO mailing pieces for two DIFFERENT heating and cooling companies...in the same town. Both have used the same image in their ad...and the really funny thing was both of them arrived in the mail on the same day. Has you doing a double take huh? Thanks to Aaron for calling this to our attention.
It's Not Just The "Little Guys"
Small businesses are not the only ones who can get caught in this issue. We ALMOST did five years ago when designing some dog food bags. We went to the client with all sorts of different "looks". One of them was...this (L). We liked the dog and had they pulled the trigger on this look we would have shot our own photos. And, it's a good thing. Here's why: Head into your local Aldi store and check their dog treats and dog food. Yep, same image...stock photo for a major retail center across the US.
What's The Fix?
Do original photography. Sure it is more expensive but we get exactly what we're looking for and the image is...ours. You never know who is poking around in some stock photography; it could be your competition.
Sometimes you can get away with using stock images...but you (and we) just need to be careful. Best advice, again, original photos. You'll thank me for it.
Thanks for coming by. If you wish, leave us a comment here or on Twitter it's @InsightADV or head to our Facebook Page Thingy. Have a fantastic day.
If you've followed our writings over the past several years you know we've said this about Social Media and Business:
So why am I telling you this...again? Because it just popped up on my radar today with this story from SmartBlogs on Social Media: "What Dell can teach your company about social media ROI". It's nice to know they agree with us.
Maybe I need to move to NYC?
If you would like to leave a comment you can do that here, or come by our Facebook Page Thingy...or let's get together on Twitter @MichaelLibbie (personal/business) or @InsightADV (business baby...business.) Thanks for reading! NYC huh?
Several weeks ago we MOVED Sunday Morning Coffee to a new location. Same commentary on the past week, news, opinion, politics, religion and the stuff that makes ya...nuts. Today:
Grab a cup and let's chat? Here, again is that link to this edition of Sunday Morning Coffee. Have a fantastic...and warm...Sunday! - Michael
Last month I posted a quick idea that will help you better connect with your customers and the general public. It had to do with updating your outgoing voice mail message...daily. There are several reasons this is a smart thing to do:
On the flip side, failing to return calls can create serious damage to your brand. You can spend all the money in the world promoting your business brand but when you fail at personal communication...you fail.
Two weeks ago I made contact, twice, with some huge players in the world of agriculture. I was not selling anything...but seeking information...simple information on a tip from the US Department of Agriculture. Not only did I call, I also sent an e-mail. What did I hear back?
Nothing...and that's the point.
So, what brand image do you think I have of their public relations and media team? Nope, not going to share who here. It's after the fact and that would be snarky. But it is a great lesson:
You're never too big to learn how to polish your brand rather than tarnish it.
Thanks for reading. If you wish to connect you can leave a comment here, catch us on our agency Facebook Page or on Twitter it's @InsightADV or @MichaelLibbie. Have a fantastic day! - Michael
Business News, Politics, Gossip, Religion...you know, the stuff that makes you crazy... Sunday Morning Coffee has moved. Hope you follow along.
We've decided to keep this blog centered on the world of advertising, marketing & consumer trends. You know, the stuff that makes you money. Here we offer up slightly longer posts with our opinion and tips on how you can incorporate them into your business.
Meanwhile over at Insight on Business News Hour with Michael Libbie is a series of several business and marketing stories we're following with our opinion of how they might work for you.
And, it's all....FREE!
Thanks for coming by...and if you would like to connect we can do that with a comment here, join us on the agency Facebook Page or my Personal Facebook Page - Just Google my name. On Twitter it's @MichaelLibbie (personal & business) or @InsightADV (It's all business....)
Have a great day! - Michael
