Entries Tagged 'Friday 5' ↓

I should probably stop calling this the Friday 5 if I can’t manage to get it out on Friday at least once a month, but if I make it a Saturday thing, I’ll have to come up with six links to maintain the alliteration. So, we’ll just continue on as if we simply don’t keep good track of days.

Top Ten PR Tips for Small Businesses from Web Ink Now
A little freestyle advice from David Meerman Scott that seems right on the money. PR has changed, make sure you’re up on the new rules.

Do Your Clients Fall Off Their Chairs? from The Marketing Mix
I came across this nice little post while doing a bit of research on pricing. Proactive is the word that resonates for me.

Avoiding the Passion Pop Gulf from Seth Godin’s Blog
I have been reading Seth’s blog for a year or so, and I often find him in my starred post list at the end of the week. However, this post definitely ranks as one of my all time favorites.

Be Consistent. Be Consistent. Be Consistent. from Drew’s Marketing Minute
Some strong (repetitive) advice from Drew. I have been thinking a lot about the problem of maintaining a consistent message lately and this post really hit home. We do get bored of saying the same thing way before our customers get tired of hearing it, but it is hard to remember that.

The 50 Greatest Commercial Parodies of All Time from Nerve
This one is just for fun . . . enjoy.

Hooray! It’s a special Saturday Edition of the Friday 5. This “tardiness” definitely has nothing to do with my trip to Vegas for Interop, and I certainly didn’t just catch up on my blog posts today. How dare you leap to such conclusions? I simply wanted you to have a break on Friday and a special treat waiting on Saturday evening. I mean, it is all about you . . . right?

Risque Teacher Profiles Raising Questions? Why Parents Should Carry Part of the Responsibility from Marketing Pilgrim
I threw this link on the list in support of all the teachers I know. For some reason teachers have been bearing more and more of the blame for the state of our children’s education and values while the power given to them to govern such things has been continually diminished. This article is a great example of the superhuman standards to which teachers are held in exchange for subhuman respect and sub-par compensation.

The Economy Stinks. Does Your Marketing Stink Too? from Frank Thinking
While I was irritated with the excerpt I received in my reader, I decided to put this post in the Friday Five anyway as it touched on the economy concerns that seem to be effecting so many of us. Take a look at the article. Leave a comment. Then tell Frank to switch us over to the full feed so we can continue enjoying his writing without the aggravation.

Let’s Talk About Your Web Site from Marketing Professional’s Daily Fix
This post wouldn’t have made this list if the section on contact forms hadn’t been so right on the nose. Make sure you read all the way to the end of this piece or you might miss the best part.

What is a #1 Google Ranking Worth? from SEO Book
I’ll admit that I haven’t even read all of this article yet, but what I have read has been just the sort of great insight and advice you would expect from Aaron Wall. Even though I was pressed for time today, this will get the full read and review in the next couple of reading sessions.

Bad Day at the Office from glumbert
This one is just for fun. A little frustration taken out on office equipment. It is annoying the way the ads appear on the bottom of the video though.

So it’s Friday again and I’m a little late with the links. I know the crowds are clamoring in the streets and children are refusing to go to bed, so here they are. Now I’m headed back to work. We’re preparing for Interop in Las Vegas next week and we’re in the 11th hour (alright maybe 10th). If you’re in Vegas or will be next month, get in touch, and I’ll buy you a beer.

Why Aren’t There More Googles from paulgraham.com
Here’s a little insight into the world of venture capital investment and why so few companies stun the world. This is of particular interest to me as we are looking for another round of cash right now. Anyone with deep pockets is encouraged to send me an email and help us on our way to Googledom.

This is the World’s Worst PR Pitch from What’s Next Blog
PR is difficult. That said, some make it look harder than others. Enjoy a well illustrated example of what not to do.

Top 25 Opening Credits of 1980 from The Popcorn Trick
Okay, it sounds like Digg bait. Frankly, it probably is Digg bait, but it still took an amazing amount of effort to put together. While it is a little strange for me to link to something like this in the Friday Five, let’s just assume work has made me a little strange and enjoy it. Besides, the guys behind it are friends of mine, and their antics (when this entertaining) deserve a little attention.

Your Customer Rewards Program from Duct Tape Marketing
How do you reward your customers? I mean, other than with the privilege of enjoying your wonderful product or service. I like this post’s idea of a customer council as opposed to the nearly cliché iPod or the self serving discounts on future purchases. But, if I were to create a group of privileged customers, I would call it the Customer League and make everyone wear a cape.

APR for Houses from The Dilbert Blog
There is no sense hiding it. This link is largely self promotional. Don’t get me wrong, I really like the post and the idea behind it. In fact, I like it so much I wrote a post over at the postgreen blog all about it.

In the spirit of moving forward I am returning to old form by pointing at things I like. Take a minute to click on a link or two and enjoy the wisdom, wit and/or oddity of others.

Who Answers The Phone from Seth Godin’s Blog
Seth, a regular in the Friday 5, talks about the importance of the inbound phone call and those people who answer them. Inbound calls represent some of the best opportunities to connect with your customers and yet the employees answering those calls are typical under-trained and under-valued. I think this posts calls for more than just an improvement in phone policy. It also seems to suggests an increase in the attention paid to each and every employee.

Article Marketing: How To Be an Article Marketer Like No Other  from Marketing Pilgrim
Some great tips from Shannon Lilly on how to market your site through writing articles. This is a direction I have been meaning to pursue for a while and this post has pushed me to finally start. Look for some expert articles on data backup and marketing from yours truly in the near future.

Thinking On Your Feet With Anil Dash from Servant of Chaos
This one made the list because it features a video of a game I really want to have a go at . . . Battle Decks. Basically, you take the stage in front of a room of people and improvise a presentation to slides you have never seen before. The video features some fine work by Anil Dash.

Are You Saying Too Much? from Drew’s Marketing Minute
This one really hit home because I discovered that many of the materials I had produced were doing just that . . . saying too much. Not a big surprise to those that know me (let’s say I tend to talk), but something I am definitely keeping an eye on now.

10 Annoyingly Brilliant Office Interiors from Deputy Dog
As we at Universe Point anticipate growth in the coming year, we have talked a bit about the kind of office environment we would like to create. This post illustrates some inspirational extravagances and is bound to induce jealousy in anyone foolish enough to view them. Is it worth it to spend on office design? Positive PR and the increased ability to attract and keep top notch employees suggests that it is. (Thanks to Goose for this one)