Pry the Insert Out of My Cold Dead Hands!

I read a study this morning, talking about local online advertising and how it translates to the local consumer. Essentially, the findings showed advertising on local websites is more influential than advertising we see elsewhere on the web. Makes sense- these local properties have worked years at building trust with their communities. The successful ones have taken this trust and extended it beyond their traditional boundaries.

Some of the data talked about the % of people who turned to the web for local dining, banking, and grocery information. The numbers were impressive. And, it made me think of that newspaper today- stuffed to the brim with grocery inserts. Do local businesses, of all types, have the foresight to forgo the comfortable?

Change is scary, but as marketers, we must do it. Our consumers are moving forward, and if we don't, we are left behind. It's hard- especially at the local level- to take that leap. So, if you are not comfortable leaping, tip toe. But starting doing it today!

GoDaddy- The Worst Site Ever?

GoDaddy is a concept that I love. It makes it possible for us layman to buy domain names, set up simple hosting, email, etc. What I don't love is them is their website.

Is there any reason why it has to be the most complicated website I have ever seen? Today I had to go in and renew something on my account. In theory, this should be a very simple process. Click here, click renew, pick payment, done. But instead, I found myself confused, in some sort of loop that I couldn't get out of.

Sales pitches and price points slap you in the face every place you turn. I get it- you have a lot to offer. But, if you condense things down, make it a little more clear where I am supposed to focus my attention, you may get me to react. Instead, I go in, try to figure out the one thing I am supposed to do, and get out like I am being exposed to the plague.

Being user friendly is clearly not something GoDaddy has mastered.

I have had several clients re-vamp their websites lately. The one thing I find myself repeating in every case, is the fact they need to be clear, concise, and user friendly. Otherwise, people will click on and click off as fast as they can.

Barack Gets It

This is not a post to talk about the candidates from a for/against standpoint. This is a commentary on a Twitter message I received from Barack Obama today. A few months ago, when I signed up for Twitter, I was thrilled when I found Obama, and I immediately started following him. OK, following one of his staffers posting on his behalf, but whatevs.

I loved hearing about where he was campaigning, as this was still in the midst of the Clinton/Obama battle. I liked the updates on upcoming speaches, and links to where I could see them live. But today, I received a post that blew me away. The Twitter said, "Announcing the VP candidate sometime between now and the Convention by txt msg & email. Text VP to 62262 or visit www.barackobama.com/vp."

You better believe I sent that text! I, like the rest of the country, am dying to know. And, just the mere possibility of me being "in the know" before any one else is exciting! It makes me feel involved in his campaign, invested somehow.

I have had lots of conversations lately with clients and industry folks about Twitter. What it is, how it works, but most importantly, how it can work for them. I think this is a perfect example. With a message that took 5 seconds to send, I become excited, intrigued, and more interested in Barack Obama.

This is something that local companies can easily do as well. In fact, they can Twitter far easier than all of the other social media out there. When you have something interesting to say, your fans WANT to know about it. When they have an inside scoop, it makes them feel important, almost invested in the goings-on of you business. And, when customers feel invested, it is very likely they feel loyal at the same time.

Catching Up, Every Two Years

I am a TV addict. There! I said it. The DVR has become my enabler. It single handily has stretched my addiction from "appointment TV" to now including every cheesy piece of reality TV I can get my hands on. And, yes, that includes recording Cheaters at 1am.

As a media buyer, I justify my addiction on my job. I mean, in order to sufficiently buy for every demo under the sun, I NEED to watch every program I can get my hands on. That is the only way I will understand the mom, teenager, empty nester, young professional (list goes on) I am trying to reach. OK, obviously all the research and reading I do plays a big part in that, but that is how I justify the over-loaded DVR to myself.

It used to be, my to-do list was the only thing that piled up around me. Now, it is also my to-watch list. That is why I am so glad the Olympics are here. Not because I am excited to watch them..... I have never been a big fan from a personal level. No, it is because I know that as the entire world is tuned in to the diving and the sand volleyball, many of the other networks will be running re-runs and awful TV specials.

It's my chance! My chance to finally get caught up on all those shows I have been taping over the last few months. No new programs to distract me! Well, unless you count Project Runway, Mad Men, Swingtown, Sunset Tan........

Maybe I can even get to those Netflix DVDs I have had for the last 4 weeks. And, I have some library books piling up. Not to mention the photos that need cataloged. Oh well, maybe I won't catch up after all, but I will give it the best shot I have.