ideasblog

Facebook Makes FreeFill A Success

Sat, 12 Jun 2010 05:59:00 GMT

Free drink refills all summer long were an instant viral success due to high school students sharing their experience on social networks.

To Be Mobile is Gain

Mon, 17 May 2010 18:07:00 GMT

3G and 4G coverage are quickly becoming commonplace and the smart phone is now dominating communication technology. This expansion and popularity in this technology has made social networking even more easily accessible. A LAN or wireless connection are no longer needed to support the internet, and as such, Twitter and Facebook are accessed, updated, and explored on a regular basis more than ever before through the convenience of a phone and data plan.

Because of this change in technology and culture, there is no excuse not to be apart of the social media age. This form of communication is booming, but not peaking. It is bringing about a change in marketing that allows businesses to connect and communicate in a way like never before. Being “Liked” on Facebook or having “Followers” on Twitter has never been more important to a company’s success.

3 Ways to Make Your Business Popular

Mon, 17 May 2010 18:05:00 GMT

1. Socialize – Using social networking sites in a personable and communicative manner connects you with your customers in a way you never have. Devoting to Facebook, Twitter, and other similar sites promotes your name in an environment that is populated in an unprecedented way. It is important to note that you are not advertising in this media, at least not in the conventional way. You are building a rapport with the customer, growing ever more popular as you continue to socialize with the online community.

2. Bribe – Now that we’re socializing, we can start bribing consumers in order to get the popular vote. Don’t worry, in the realm of business, this isn’t illegal, it’s called promoting. By posting coupons, offers, or drawings occasionally from your site, you will attract more traffic from the consumers you are socializing with. Promotions are a great way to attract attention and improve traffic.

3. Don’t pester – You can’t make friends by pestering them until they accept you. That is no way to get popular! Be genuine in your communication, in your posts and your replies. Social networking is not only output, it’s input, taking in the consumer’s thoughts, and responding accordingly. Root & Madison are masters at social media communication and help advance your company in the online community.

iPhone Expectations

Mon, 17 May 2010 18:03:00 GMT

Foxconn has released information that it will be shipping out 24 million 4G iPhones in 2010. The upgraded hardware reportedly includes a thinner structure, higher screen resolution, and sunlight-fighting screen technology. The product is geared to improve internet browsing, video quality, and virtual book reading and further compete with the Android.

The smart phone is no longer the future of mobile technology, it’s the present, a common product. Every major communication company has a smart phone, and the public demands the best technology. Each model learns from the others’ mistakes, adapting the product to best suit the needs and wants of the customer. iPhones will continue to be amongst the top of the competition, but it’s clear that at this point, the technology is simply being tweaked and not evolving by leaps and bounds.

3 Reasons Businesses Need to Network

Mon, 17 May 2010 18:02:00 GMT

Not only is it important for businesses to connect with consumers, but also with other businesses. Networking sites such as LinkedIn are great ways to do that.

1. Collaborate – By communicating with businesses in your field, you can catch up on latest trends, effective strategies, and changes in the market. Learning from those around you can be a very beneficial experience.

2. Compare – Comparing your prevalence with others in your field, you can determine your success. Watching another business’ growth and standards, you can evolve your own business. What are they doing right? Where did they go wrong? The answers to these questions can lean your business in the right direction.

3. Compete – There’s nothing wrong with a little healthy competition. Comparing your business with other businesses presents the cornerstone for competitive maturity. Striving to be at the top excels your business.

3 Reasons to go Social

Mon, 17 May 2010 18:00:00 GMT

1. Symbiosis – Connecting and sharing with your target market is beneficial to both parties. The consumer is able to connect with you and feel valuable, while you gain the knowledge first-hand of what the consumer’s wants and needs are. This builds loyalty and rapport that helps found lasting relationships.

2. Information - Statistics and data gained from social networking are priceless. You are able to see your own prevalence in the market and adapt your business to grow stronger.

3. Expansion – Social networking is a whole new frontier that offers endless possibilities in how far your company’s reach can go. With so many avenues of communication, the extent of your success can be limitless.

Spamming Part 2: 3 Ways to Avoid Spamming

Mon, 17 May 2010 17:59:00 GMT

1. Be genuine in responses – When commenting on blogs or replying to tweets, it is important to be genuine in your response. Respond directly to the information of the blog or tweet and don’t go on a tangent regarding your own business. The point of responses is to build rapport and SEO, not directly advertise.

2. Be honest in tags – When you are leaving tags for your blogs and page headers, be sure to be honest about what tags apply to the subject. Tricking consumers to your website will build negative traffic called a bounce rate, which is the rate of consumers who visit your site and immediately leave. Not only this, but some search engines will immediately drop your search rank if they notice you are adding nonrelated tags.

3. Personalize when possible – Whenever commenting, updating, or replying it is important to personalize whenever possible. Connecting on a personal level not only helps posts look genuine, but it also encourages feedback and traffic.

Spamming Part 1: 2 Reasons to Say No to Spam

Mon, 17 May 2010 17:56:00 GMT

One of the most common problems I run in to while networking is spam, repeatedly posted bits of advertisement that invade social networking sites everywhere. They do no good for the business or the consumer. So why avoid spam?

1. Because everyone else does – A very small percentage of the community purposefully respond to spam. That small percentage is quickly dwindling into nothing as most everyone has adapted to the online environment and they understand the difference between junk and genuine. Connecting, posting, and responding in valid, meaningful ways is much more effective than spamming.

2. Because you don’t want to get blocked – Most websites have evolved to avoid spam at all costs. They have systems, both automatic and manual, that prevent spam from being posted. Most websites, some more strict than others, will permanently block you once you have violated the spam restrictions enough times. Even some sites that are huge SEO goldmines can block you if you spam tags on pages and blogs that you post.

The Eclipse of the World Cup

Mon, 17 May 2010 17:52:00 GMT

With the World Cup just around the corner, it is now being predicted that it will break records in the social media realm. Previous landmarks, such as the Super Bowl and the U.S. Election, will be easily overshadowed by the international sports juggernaut of the World Cup.

Twitter and Facebook will likely be overloaded with updates and posts referring to the World Cup. An international event that America has generally neglected, the World Cup is perhaps the most unified event in the world outside of the Olympics, and the social media statistics are expected to prove that.

3 Benefits of Twitter

Mon, 17 May 2010 17:53:00 GMT

1. Regulate prevalence – Based on the statistics of followers, messages, and replies, you are able to determine your effectiveness in Twitter and beyond. The data allows you to understand your current position in the market and how to adapt your methods to better increase your traffic.

2. Direct communication – Twitter offers the rare opportunity to directly communicate with your target market, influential consumers, and current customers. Patiently working on communication through this medium will help you build a solid rapport with your customer.

3. Updates – Twitter allows you to share your business’ updates, current offers, and friendly advice. By consistently communicating to your market, you are more likely to retrieve attention and traffic.

3 Tools of Facebook

Mon, 17 May 2010 17:50:00 GMT

1. Polls – A fun tool on Facebook is the Poll. You can post your own custom polls quick and easy that are fun for the consumer and also beneficial for your business. The benefit is two-fold: The customer enjoys the polls and becomes more interested in your business and you gain the information from their poll submissions. Once you have a sufficient fan base, polls can be an effective tool for keeping them hooked and providing information.

2. Updates – Updating your business’ status on Facebook encourages your target market to stay interested in you and respond. Posting interesting facts and fun updates keeps the customers involved, while promoting offers, products, and services can keep your customers informed.

3. Statistics – Determining the amount of “Likes” and Fans you have can help you see first-hand the success of your networking. These connections are individuals interested in your business and look to you for advice, assistance, and business in your field. By acknowledging and focusing on what is effective, you can better increase your traffic.

Politicians Catching Online

Wed, 05 May 2010 19:54:00 GMT

Government elections are popularity contests and they always have been. Denying this fact is denying you had a favorite. The reason you vote is because you like one person more than the other, regardless of whether your reason is based on any valid merit. It’s a simple concept of social prowess. The best social avenue is the best way to get noticed. In this culture, that avenue is social media, a medium acknowledged by politicians.

Obama was one of the first (if not the first) elected official in the world that had obvious connections in social media. It undoubtedly played at least a small portion in his success in the polls. At the very least it provided him a way of analyzing his success during the election.

His success did not go unnoticed, even by our friends across the sea. In the UK, political parties are attempting to take hold of the social media culture, because through this community, the party has the most opportunity to succeed. Witnessing the correlation between popularity online and its conversion to votes, it is hard to deny the strength of a good online presence, even for government officials.

GameHouse Raising its Roof

Wed, 05 May 2010 19:53:00 GMT

RealNetworks’ GameHouse (formerly known as RealGames) is continuing to expand its social gaming platform. By transforming the gaming experience, single-player games will be more connected. The platform is also supposed to ease transition and publishing for developers, allowing for much larger expansion.

Already succeeding on Facebook, it is soon to be available for mobile devices such as the iPhone and Android. If it functions properly, the platform could redefine gaming through social media, and will present one more medium of networking.

MyTouch, My Voice

Wed, 05 May 2010 19:51:00 GMT

T-Mobile has released information on its latest MyTouch model that includes a nifty voice system. Using the Genius Button, one will be able to send text messages by simply pressing the button and speaking. Working through the proven company Nuance Communications, T-Mobile has produced a more advanced speech-recognizing technology that is sure to even further simplify communication.

While I’ve never been a fan of the name (they might as well have dangled the lawsuit carrot in front of Apple), the MyTouch has made its own strides. This new voice system, if as effective as advertised, will be a nice addition to a good phone. However, the irony has not left me, that instead of talking to a person, we will talk to our phones, which will proceed to communicate to the individual for us. Funny.

S-Pad to Kill iPad?

Wed, 05 May 2010 19:48:00 GMT

As soon as the iPad got its legs underneath it (sold its 1 millionth device), there is already a company looking to strip the metaphorical appendages right out from under it. Rumor has it Samsung will be releasing its own iPad soon, called, creatively enough, the S-Pad. Already being whispered as the iPad killer (never heard that directed towards an Apple product before), the tablet is said to have more power, compatibility, and overall options than the iPad.

While the design is eerily similar to a massive Sega Game Gear with a few extra buttons, it’s supposedly what’s inside that counts. Not much has yet been released as far as details on the device, but it is sure to draw its share of attention as the first attempt to copy another financially successful Apple product.

Twitter's SR-71 has Kinks

Wed, 05 May 2010 19:42:00 GMT

Twitter recently released the Blackbird Pie Tool, which allows tweets to be embedded using HTML. While seemingly useful and easy, the tool has proven to have a few kinks to be worked out. It runs comparatively slow considering the task, and it takes manual tweaking of the tweet in order to embed properly. Aesthetically, it requires code to keep the background image from repeating. That, combined with the sluggishness, can be easily resolved in the near future. Obviously released in a bit of a rush, the tool has a few kinks to be worked out. The advantage of the early release, is it gets more usage out of it, allowing the bugs to be discovered and resolved much more quickly. It the tool is to go the way of the SR-71 and be out of commission, we will soon know once a few bolts have been tightened.

Apple Empire has to Answer

Wed, 05 May 2010 19:40:00 GMT

U.S. antitrust enforcers are currently investigating Apple for its virtual harassment of Adobe and its Flash software. Taking advantage of its mobile marketing and hardware position, Apple has seemingly declared Adobe Flash outlawed. This doesn’t sit well with Adobe, or the U.S. government as has been recently discovered.

Supposedly it has been reported that since the government has gotten involved, Apple has significantly reduced its push against Flash. This has undoubtedly relieved several industries in the field, not just Adobe, as it has proved that not even Apple is above reproach.

Apple Bashing Flash

Wed, 05 May 2010 19:37:00 GMT

For the last week, technological powerhouses Apple and Adobe have proven even they are not immune to the immaturity of a playground verbal spat. Despite their “competition”, both companies have worked seamlessly together, at least from a graphic designer’s standpoint, to produce wonderful virtual music together. The Adobe programs on Mac computers have been the cornerstone of many design firms nationwide, yet a disagreement had risen once the iPhone age was born.

A question I had right from the beginning of the iPhone was “why doesn’t Apple make the iPhone compatible with Flash?” Steve Jobs answered this question directly, on numerous occasions, dissecting the problems with the software. While I find several of the points valid, the fact remains that many sites, sites often visited, rely on the browser having Flash capabilities. The fact Apple refuses to come to terms with a solution shows the stubbornness of a child. What Apple wants, Apple gets. If Apple wants Adobe gone, Apple makes Adobe disappear. This has validity, because Apple dominates a large portion of the mobile market, and can therefore control a portion of Flash’s success. However, I find this to be a slightly underhanded way to go about resolving the issue.

Google Editions Virtually Launched

Wed, 05 May 2010 19:35:00 GMT

In the coming months, Google plans to release a new virtual store that will allow customers to download digital books to their newly acquired hardware (iPad, Nook, Kindle, or just your personal computer). This online store called Google Editions will rival other online stores for virtual literature supremacy.

Google, in the past, has benefited from pioneering into uncharted territory. Because Nook and Kindle have both been out for a while now, several retail establishments have adapted their online services to include digital books. This could prove troublesome for Google Editions, even though its account features and symbiosis with book-selling websites can provide it enough power to clear the atmosphere.

One issue that has plagued many services online is the requirement to have an internet connection to access the books. This has proven troublesome, despite the (often expensive and sometimes slow and unreliable) option of 3G coverage. But perhaps that issue will be addressed upon Google Editions’ release within the next few months.

Apple's Mundane Million

Thu, 06 May 2010 16:42:00 GMT

Apple recently released one of its all-too-common “look how amazing we are” announcements, stating that it has officially sold over 1 million iPads in 28 days. That’s an impressive feat, but a comparatively mundane statement considering the source. Apple is the king of the “I must have that new gizmo” population. Due to the unrivalled success (sorry, Zune) of the iPod years ago, Apple hardware has become a commodity in the American home. Despite constant competition, Apple continues to impress with its ability to sell something new.

The less impressive number to me (although Apple found it impressive) was the amount of applications downloaded within that timeframe of 12 million. That’s an average of 12 applications an iPad. I don’t know about you, but when I get a new gadget in all its innocence, I quickly pump it full of games and downloadable features to see what the hardware is capable of. Either I am alone in this ritual, or there are those of you out there that find that number as disappointing as I do.

Chrome the Platinum of Browsers

Wed, 05 May 2010 18:28:00 GMT

An article posted by businessinsider.com has declared Google Chrome the new king of the browser hill, at least in shares. Google Chrome and Firefox are growing significantly, while Safari is plateau-ing and Internet Explorer is bottoming out. The evolution of internet browsers has had its victims of natural selection. Internet Explorer, the oldest browser of the aforementioned options, has had its day in the sun, and is dying off like the dinosaur.

The “newest thing” mentality applies as much to software as it does hardware. The rise of Google Chrome and Firefox is undoubtedly due to the surfing of the wave of fads, and the only way to survive the next wave is to become dependable invaluable. I see the benefits of both platforms, but as Firefox and Safari suffered in certain aspects, so has Google Chrome. Despite its benefits, it still struggles in compatibility, an issue Safari definitely learned the hard way. In order to continue to grow, the browser has resolve the few kinks, and continue to remain a useful tool once the shine wears off.

Promoting Promoted Tweets

Tue, 20 Apr 2010 02:19:00 GMT

Twitter has released a new feature allowing businesses to campaign particular tweets to promote an event or special. By selecting Campaign from Settings, businesses are able to designate keywords to previously released tweets. When Twitter members search those keywords, the selected tweets are automatically pinned to the top of the results with a promotion tag at the bottom of the tweet designating the business.

This promotion tool can be effective in bringing attention to an expensive organized event that cannot go unnoticed, or addressing a common sale that may interest the Twitter member. Utilizing this tool expands the possibilities of acknowledgement from the public and therefore promotes traffic, wherever that traffic needs to generate.

My one concern is the possibility for spammed promotions, with several different businesses claiming prowess on particular keywords. This may cause an overload on specific articles or products, bringing about a negative recoil of an otherwise effective feature. For example, sponsored links on Google, while sometimes effective, can be generally ignored by the jaded searcher.

Facebook Likes the World

Tue, 20 Apr 2010 02:13:00 GMT

Facebook has announced it will be releasing a new universal button soon that allows social networkers to “Like” any blog on the internet, provided the blog has a nifty little Facebook feature on it. The universal like button will help spread the social networking of Facebook beyond its site, benefitting both Facebook and the businesses running the blogs.

Facebook is attempting to escape the fate of the late Myspace by expanding its features beyond its own site. Facebook is essentially trying to make itself a necessity in every online-venturing business. This new universal Like button helps make any social networking business more noticeable and powerful, and therefore a feature that makes Facebook more prominent.

The benefits for a business to carry this Like button are obvious. A business carrying the button on their blogs benefits from the Like being boasted on their page, but more importantly in often-viewed Facebook News Feeds. The popularity contest potential is a compelling enough to participate.

The Swarm Effect

Tue, 20 Apr 2010 02:11:00 GMT

Social Networking prowess can be enough incentive to grow a business significantly. A restaurant in Milwaukee called AJ Bombers scored a major boost in traffic taking advantage of Foursquare’s badge system. The Swarm badge, a coveted trophy, can only be acquired by collaborating with at least fifty Foursquare members to convene on a single establishment. Using Facebook and Twitter as communication tools, the owner set a date and time to have members of Foursquare accumulate in his restaurant in order to gain the sought-after Swarm badge. The stunt was a major success for the members and AJ Bombers. The restaurant grew a massive fan-base seemingly overnight and the members got their Swarm badges.

The effectiveness of social networking is not the only lesson to be learned here. The potential for growth through Foursquare is essentially unfathomable. Using other social platforms as a catalyst, your business can promote more tangible rewards on your Foursquare page. A discounted meal for the mayor of your establishment or a free t-shirt for the first member to twelve visits this month are great ways to build a strong rapport with the consumer, and grow a powerful fan-base. Foursquare, as AJ Bombers has shown, is not a tool that should be taken lightly.

XAuth X-ed Out?

Tue, 20 Apr 2010 02:18:00 GMT

Remember Ping? It’s a nifty little site that allows you to broadcast a single blog post to several different social networking platforms. The great thing about Ping is it automatically sends this post to all the popular social networks, such as the two current kings, Facebook and Twitter. Well, XAuth is the wannabe Ping of the Like button. Will we remember XAuth? Probably not.

XAuth is a great concept for the newest feature, the universal Like button. The Like button allows social networkers to approve of a blog from any participating website, therein posting their approval on the respective social network. The only downside to this Like button is the possibility of clutter, as each social network carries its own version of the Like button. XAuth offers to be the solution, being a single button that broadcasts the approval to each social network. A great solution with one huge problem. XAuth does not currently have the two big social network markets on board, Facebook and Twitter.

Without the two largest social networks operational under XAuth, it is likely the feature won’t be so liked. If Facebook and Twitter don’t like XAuth, XAuth might be X-ed out.

Foursquare Two-Fold

Tue, 20 Apr 2010 02:09:00 GMT

As a business or a consumer, if you are not connected to Foursquare, you are missing out on the benefits and networking potential of one of the most useful local online community tools available.

As a consumer, Foursquare provides you the opportunity to find the best restaurants and stores in your area, and have a little bit of fun while you’re doing it, gaining badges and possibly rewards along the way. Connecting with your local friends grants you the ability to expand your knowledge of some the best social hotspots in your city.

As a business, Foursquare is a potential goldmine. Having customers competing for the top spot of mayor keeps customers coming back. The potential for growth is significant, considering the word-of-mouth possibilities of the network. With comment fields spreading the word, and check-ins logging your progress, it’s an easy and efficient way to keep your business booming

Foursquare, Not Just for Children

Tue, 20 Apr 2010 02:02:00 GMT

An innovative social networking site has changed the way the online populace views their city. Using GPS, found in most smart phones such as the iPhone and the Cliq, Foursquare verifies your location, specifically which local stores or restaurants you enter. Using this information, local establishments registered on Foursquare collect the data on their own pages, displaying who has entered the establishment, when, and how often. Members who have “checked-in” can then leave comments on the establishment’s page, supporting their trade.

To mix things up and make things more interesting for the online community, members can gain badges, and in some cases rewards, for entering certain stores numerous times. The leader in check-ins is labeled the honor of mayor of that particular store. In some cases, this honor comes with perks, provided the store is more involved. This new social networking circle has already hit the ground running.

How To Engage Your Fans on Facebook

Mon, 22 Mar 2010 07:10:00 GMT

According to recent surveys, 75% of small businesses have a Facebook Fan Page. However many of the small businesses we speak with do not know how to use them. Even with consistent updates, business are not seeing their fanbase increase. Some are even seeing fans abandon their pages.

Below are 3 simple tips to get your fan pages engagement levels up, and consequently more fans.

Create a Poll

Facebook is a two way conversation, and your fans want to share their opinion. Let your fans voices' be heard through polls. You will need an application added to your fan page to create polls on your fan page. We like Fan Appz and Poll Daddy. Both are free, but they have the option for a pro account which includes more features.

Start a Quiz

Sometimes your fans may be too shy to comment, but they may patronize you if you test them with a quiz. An application is necessary to conduct a quiz on your page. We like Fan Appz , but there are several applications available.

Facilitate a Discussion

Discussions are a great way to get participation in a topic. Think of the Facebook Discussions tab as an online focus group.

The Bottom Line

Engaging fans is about creating a dialogue. Stop broadcasting your information. Ask questions. Take the time to listen, and then respond.

Social Media Helped with Hawaii Tsunami Evacuation

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 22:27:00 GMT

With the current events going on in Chile and now Hawaii, social media has found a new niche to reach out to loved ones to help them. Social media helped to evacuate over 50,000 people on Oahu as the tsunami headed towards Hawaii.

“Honolulu Emergency Management Department spokesman John Cummings says digital networking got the word out quickly after Saturday's tsunami was generated by the earthquake in Chile. Cummings says people communicated through Facebook, Twitter and texting to let each other know what was going on. He says they responded quickly and smoothly, doing what they needed to do to get themselves out of harm's way. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center Geophysicist Brian Shiro estimates he sent 500 tweets during the evacuation. He says digital communication is a good way to keep the community informed.”

Chile Earthquake Through the Eyes of Twitter

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 21:56:00 GMT

On Feb. 27th at 3:37am there was an 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Chile with an epicenter 70 miles from Concepcion, the country's second largest city. One day following this traumatic event, reports are showing that there are more than 700 dead, and 2 million people displaced. Below are 3 tweets from people who experienced the earthquake first hand and documented the damage on twitter.

@javieraltman's Tweet:

@RodrigoBNO's Tweet:

@CarolinaMillan's Tweet:

The Latest Buzz in Social Media

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 18:01:00 GMT

What's the latest buzz in Social Media? Check out Google Buzz:

How to Become a Part of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games on Facebook

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 17:57:00 GMT

If you want to know the latest news with the Vancouver 2010 Olympics, then you can become a fan of the Vancouver 2010 Olympics Page on Facebook. Of course you can always watch the news to keep up with the latest Olympic games, but why not interact and become a part of the exciting events! Social Media is being used around the world to reach millions of people. How are you using Social Media in your business and personal life?

How to Find Trending Topics on Twitter

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 06:43:00 GMT

It's so easy to find the latest trending topics in the world or your specific geographic location on twitter. Just login into your twitter account and look at the bottom right of your twitter page where it displays “Trending: Worldwide”. Obviously it will say “Trending: Worldwide” if you want to reach the world with your message. If you are wanting to reach a specific geographic location, for instance Dallas, TX then you will want to edit your Trending Topic to list Dallas-Forth Worth to meet your specific cities geographic location. Below “Trending: Worldwide” you will see different keywords listed. If you want to be a part of the hottest topics on twitter, all you have to do is type one of the keywords into your twitter message and send it out. Make sure the keyword is relevant to the twitter message you are sending out or else you will upset your followers. Go try it out and see how easy it is to interact and communicate on twitter.

New Facebook Layout

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 02:29:00 GMT

On Thursday February 4, Facebook started rolling out a new layout. Learn more about the new navigation and features for your Facebook home page by watching the video

The Wait is Over, The iPad is Here

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 06:09:00 GMT

Social Media for Businesses

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 23:14:00 GMT

Social Media is a great way to connect with friends, reconnect with old friends, and network with new friends. We live in a busy world and there never seems to be enough time to spend with all of the people you care about. Before social media we struggled mailing letters, emailing, and calling all of our loved ones on a regular basis.

Now with social networks like facebook, twitter, and LinkedIn, we are able to stay connected with all of those special people on a day-to-day basis. It’s difficult keeping up a long distance relationship with your friends and family and now social media makes it convenient and easy. Not only is it a great way to stay connected with your friends and family, it’s also being used successfully for businesses.

Businesses are now able to create a community for clients. Who wouldn’t want to get the latest info on specials, sales, or news on your favorite store or restaurant?! Do you have a question, compliment, or complaint that you want to share with your favorite retail store? Now you are able to join that business community and ask any and everything you want, and actually get a real person to answer it.

Social media is being used effectively to reach out to clients and give them a more one on one relationship. Our world is becoming more innovative and technically minded and businesses must move in that direction quick or else they will lose business to their competitor that is using Social Media.

Target's PR Nightmare

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 08:52:00 GMT

Target was founded in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1902 as the Dayton Dry Goods Company. In 1962, the company opened its first Target store in nearby Roseville. The concept grew and eventually became the largest division of Dayton Hudson, culminating in the company changing its name to Target Corporation in 2000. Target has worked very hard to secure it's validity in the retail space, but their hard work could go away over a plastic hamster.

David Lawrinowicz of Lancaster worked at Target for almost 8 years on the overnight shift. Target fired Lawrinowicz and six of his co-workers last Wednesday — for buying and $8 toy.

According to The Buffalo News Target said the company has certain guidelines in place regarding employees shopping during their shifts.

“These guidelines are in place to provide our guests with the same purchasing opportunities as our team members. We are committed to making the items our guests want as available as possible to ensure a positive guest experience,” said Target representatives in a statement.

Target said the policy is made clear in its employee handbook, and that reminders of it “are often communicated” through postings, newsletters and verbal “huddles.” Policy violations are punishable by action up to and including termination

Since the story first broke it has been mentioned 259 times across social networks, and at the time of this post the target firing story was mentioned every hour. Including a comment from online user who goes by the alias BobbyCat:

I'm glad that Target has "certain guidleines".
I have guidelines, too, especially when it comes to mistreatment of employees. I had planned to stop at Target this afternoon but after reading this story, I'll go elsewhere - to another store that doesn't mistreat its employees. Firing a long-time employee at Christmas for some chickensh*t violation is inexcusable. I'll take my business elsewhere.

Has your perception of Target changed after reading this story? Will you be purchasing your holiday gifts at Target after reading this story?

Top 4 Ways to Grow Your Business with Social Media

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 11:06:00 GMT

1. From “Trying to Sell” to “Making Connections”
In order for businesses to succeed, they need to change their current business model from “selling” to “engaging” the consumer. The most successful businesses are captivating customers through social networks like Facebook and Twitter to “post less about their products and services and more about things that help their customers get to know the people and personality of a company.”

2. From “Large Campaigns” to “Small Acts”
In the past if a customer had a bad experience with a company it could take days or even weeks to spread the bad feedback to their friends and family. Now with networks like Facebook and Twitter, feedback can be viral in a matter of seconds. Smart businesses will reach out to their customers on social networks to fix a bad experience by addressing customer concerns and realize “it pays for companies to pay attention to the one-on-one customer relationships forged via social media.

3. From “Controlling Our Image” to “Being Ourselves”
Businesses need to learn to let their staff be human. Customers don’t want to connect with a company representative; they want to connect with a real person. Of course businesses need to be professional and polite, but people still need to be unique individuals who can build relationships that will benefit the company, not robots with no personality.

4. From “Hard to Reach” to “Available Everywhere”
Before companies used to only be able to engage with customers through email blasts and customer service numbers, but now customers are able to directly interact with you everywhere through different network channels like Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, discussion forums, and blogs. Customers now feel more comfortable buying specific online-marketed brands because they have a direct one-on-one relationship with the company.

“Of course, traditional advertising and press releases will still have their place, but social sites such as Twitter and Facebook allow a whole new type of communication to take place that has previously been unknown to most businesses. The businesses that choose to only stick with traditional forms of marketing will lose business from competitors who are engaging their customers through social media.

“We are now in the age of open communication, engaged dialogue, and transparency, and business success may now have less to do with the size of ad budgets, but more to do with the quality of interactions with customers.”

Social Media Management Service

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:53:00 GMT

RM will be launching a new social media management service first quarter next year. Subscribe to our blog to be the first know when we launch.

Manage Successful Social Media Promotions For Your Business

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 22:07:00 GMT

Happy Holidays!!! As you know it’s the holiday season and everyone is pinching for pennies to find the best deals. Shoppers have found a new hot trend of social shopping. Social shopping is when people turn to social networks to get the latest discounts and deals on products and services. Razorfish found that the primary drivers of “friending” or “following” a brand were promotions and discounts. Over one-third of social network users and 44 percent of Twitter users engaged with a brand through discount promotions. Marketers are ecstatic about this new, innovative approach of incorporating social networks in their marketing strategy to increase sales, but this new stream of marketing creates challenges to the way marketing programs and advertising budgets will be organized and controlled in the years to come.

In the past, brands have spent large amounts of money on commercials, media placements, direct mail, and more. It is hard to measure these methods of marketing. These means can only be measured by the results of a campaign. The campaigns either bring a rise in sales or not. It is too difficult to measure success or failure.

The exciting fact about social media is when it is done correctly it is a very effective way to get the best of both worlds from a campaign. No one likes the pushy car salesman, so you need to be very careful at your marketing approach. Don’t push too many promotions or your consumers will feel spammed. You need to be a great resource to them and provide exclusive deals or else they will lose interest and stop following you. Here are 3 easy steps on how to use social media promotions correctly.

1. What Are People Saying About Your Brand?

This is a very important question to ask yourself when you are trying to come up with an effective marketing campaign. If you know what people are saying about your brand, why they are saying it, and who they are saying it to than you will know what content is driving the most share on which sites. You can also use social media tracking software to measure what people are saying about your services and products.

Having the capability to track word of mouth buzz is so important when you are trying the find the right marketing messages and promotions. You have to deliver relevant social deals that resonate with people’s interests.

2. Create a Social Promotion.

After you use the social media tracking software to find out what people are saying about your services and products, than go out and give it to them. If the hot topic product you sell is boots than give a 20% discount on boots. You will also see what consumers are complaining about your product. Maybe they think the shipping is too expensive, than on the next campaign offer free shipping. It’s such an incredible way to market! Now you are able to give the consumers exactly what they want which will increase share and profitability.

3. Did It Work?

Based on the social tracking software, you will be able to see if the campaign worked or not. It’s that simple. With this new technology you are able to reach your targeted audience immediately and have the best results you can imagine.

What social media tools do you use to increase sales and measure your brand’s reach? Please share them in the comments below. If you want to find out more about using social tracking software for your business than we can help. Root & Madison will help you find your target audience and write effective campaigns to drive traffic to your site. Contact us now and we can start driving traffic to you site today.

How Google's Real-Time Search Benefits Your Business

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 05:38:00 GMT

One of the hottest topics being discussed virally across the web is how Google is launching a Real-Time Search. This basically means that Google will grab all of the live chatter going on across all of the different social channels, like twitter and facebook, and display it in one place on Google. This is incredible because now instead of logging into each and every social network to see what’s being discussed on a topic of interest, you will be able to Google your hot topic and find it in one place. Maybe taking this short cut will be more effective in finding relative content for your business.

Now you will be able to Google your business and find out what people across all different social channels are saying about you instantly. One thing to keep in mind is people have opinions about everything and whether they are publicly advertising their opinion about your company on social platforms or talking with their friends face to face, by being able to capture the good, bad, and the ugly all in one place it makes it possible for you to thank people for the positive comments and find out what you can do to fix the negative ones.

Before you never knew what people were saying about you because they were discussing it with family and friends face to face, now you will be able appreciate the fans of your business and fix your mistakes from the negative comments instantly by reaching out to them across the web. What do you think about this new technology?

Technorati

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 04:05:00 GMT

URAAKGYQV7YA

Death or Resurrection? The Fate of the Newspaper

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 16:03:00 GMT

With the birth of the internet, many were speculative on its power and capabilities, how efficient it would be and how it would actualize into society. As it has expanded into one of the most powerful resources on the planet for information, the internet has posed a threat to journalist havens such as newspapers and magazines.
There have been predictions by newspaper Nostradami of an Armageddon of print media. The eventual destruction of newspapers will come first, followed swiftly by magazines. The process has already begun with many major, but secondary, newspapers already shutting their doors and leaving in most cases only one major newspaper left in the city. Many newspapers are attempting to adapt to the online environment before it’s too late, while others are trying to adapt their schemes on the streets to keep the trucks rolling.
As with any media that has been around long enough (newspapers over 150 years), it’s only a matter of time before they die and are either resurrected like a phoenix into something new, or left as ash in the wake of the new and better. Many feel the nostalgia of newspapers and their importance in political and economic journalism are too strong for the black and white medium to be put to sleep. Needless to say, it is a new age, and the newspaper is currently on the decline. Adaptation, especially in media and marketing, it is imperative to survive.

Simple is Complicated

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 18:54:00 GMT

Logos are a very misunderstood piece of advertising. What comes across as a simple, harmless little design element is actually one of the most dominant and important objects in any company’s layout. A logo defines a business and therein creates a persona that is viewed by the public. The key to any great logo, and by far the most complicated part, is making a logo simple, but creative, straight forward, but a great representation of the company.
The logo has to describe the business in a single image that can be repeated easily over and over again in several different sizes, and, in most cases, be cost efficient. By keeping imagery creative but minimalistic, and colors limited, a logo can become the defining feature for any business. An unforgettable logo helps set a business apart in a sea of businesses. Standing out is important, but standing out in a positive way would be even better! Creating a logo that brings a smile that is not followed by laughter would be a step up that any company would like to take.

The 3D Internet

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 17:22:00 GMT

Although this website is not relatively new, the design and layout is still great eye candy. Implementing 3D graphics into a website layout seamlessly, Billy Bussey created a very inspirational website for all types of designers. With the simple construction using complicated elements, billybussey.com has a great introduction (requires Quicktime Player), and even more engaging homepage. Without further adue, I suggest you view it for yourself.
Website: http://su.pr/1ZOcFo

Watching Words

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 07:14:00 GMT

Twitter and Facebook have become incredibly popular network sites that allow the user to share their thoughts, feelings, and give personal updates at will. Through this communication-friendly feature provided by the online networks, simple emotional responses are seen by all. When the public is so easily exposed to one’s opinions, the person becomes exposed to the critique and opinions of others, and sometimes in extreme cases.
Several individuals have found themselves in court due to their complaints towards certain businesses. Tweets have come across the wrong eyes, bringing about court dates and appearances. In one example, a man complained about food he had received from a restaurant that will remained unnamed. The food had a foreign object in it that did not belong (a dead organism with six legs), and the customer felt the need to spread the word on a Twitter feed. The business owner heard word of the tweet and filed suit against the unhappy customer for slander. The end result of the case is unknown to this humble writer, but the situation is not the first, and won’t be the last.
The point of this blog is to merely state that it is important to be careful with the words we share online. Negative words are often unnecessary and only cause trouble for anyone involved. Watch your words, and, with an idealistic thought, try to start a trend of being positive towards the good experiences, instead of spreading the bad news.

Know Your Price

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:27:00 GMT

When going into the graphic design business for yourself or trying to get a job at a firm, it is important you present yourself in a proper manner, even from a financial standpoint. A common misconception is that cheap is better, that if you are selling yourself for less than the competitor, you have the greater value. This is not necessarily true, and it also immediately distances you from the potential client or employer. Graphic design companies, and those companies looking for graphic design work, know a great deal about the prices expected, they understand they will need to spend some money on marketing. So if you show up with the cheapest price, way below their budget, it is an immediate deterrent from the quality you supposedly have.
Basically when it comes down to it, don’t sell yourself short. Know what you’re worth and sell yourself at that level. Back yourself with your portfolio, stand tall with your creative, and offer a reasonable price. If they suggest a lower one, take a look at the numbers with them, explain the value, the significance in the hours spent, and you’ll show the client you know what you’re doing, even from the numbers side.
Having said that, it is possible to exaggerate your worth, both in employment and clientele. The key word used before was reasonable, be reasonable, respectable, but also respectful. Your fresh out of college, a great portfolio, and you were offered a job at a big-time firm downtown. Instead of jumping at the opportunity, you lay back and ask for more of a starting salary. If they don’t walk away immediately, you must be a designing god! Asking for more salary at the beginning, even after being hired, is a sure-fire way to be fired. Accept what you are offered, and earn your keep. The perfect example is Michael Crabtree, by holding out because he thought he deserved more, earned him less, if not nothing at this point (NFL example, search Michael Crabtree and 49ers, it’s sure to come up).

Viral Videos Continue to Multiply

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:25:00 GMT

In the world of online marketing, it isn’t the ad itself that necessarily creates more traffic, it’s the word-of-mouth the ad creates. Viral videos are so rightly named for this very advantage they provide, as they spread the word quickly like a virus by getting the people talking in a (sometimes) cheap and creative way. Viral videos provide brief segments of information, perhaps even a story, that draws in the attention of any viewer that comes across it. They are designed to stand on their own, be entertaining with no knowledge of the company, and create a face and character for people to relate to.
A common usage of viral videos is in movies. For example, a cheap way to advertise a debuting film is to release short clips that relate to the movie in some way, but are not actually in the movie, the clips simply build up curiosity. For example, before The Dark Knight came out in theaters, the film released a viral video campaign that was actually a campaign for Harvey Dent (played by Aaron Eckheart) running for the DA of Gotham. The videos were short, cheap, nothing special, but it built up even more curiosity and excitement for the film’s eventual release. On TV, the Sportscenter ads (those short videos involving a player or mascot from every sport) have a viral feel to them, and spread just as fast by word-of-mouth and online. The “Real Men of Genius” ads by Budweiser are the most effective viral-like campaign on the radio. People will cross the internet to play those repeatedly for their friends.
In the same vein of online viral videos, Root & Madison has begun releasing its own set of short animations. These animations are based around the unfortunate story of Barnaby, the marketing director for Big Time Corporation Inc. Without giving too much away, go check it out for yourself. www.meetbarnaby.com

Rhetoric Rooters Rejoice

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 17:32:00 GMT

Twitter and dictionary.com have formed an unusual bond, as dictionary.com has begun posting a new featured word every day. This is a great little addition to both websites, allowing for advertising for both twitter and dictionary.com. The feature is great for copywriters looking to exercise their vocabulary and expand it significantly.
From a trivial standpoint, the service allows one to learn words they may even find interesting or humorous, sharing it with friends, perhaps even having a good laugh. That may be taking it a bit too far, but it is a great little tool for strengthening one’s terminology. Although copywriters should rarely use heavy, confusing words in their copy unless called for, the opportunity to boast confounding jargon on a daily basis can be entertaining.
Here, check it out for yourself: http://twitter.com/dictionarycom

Meet Barnaby

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 17:20:00 GMT

The Geico Gecko, the Michelin Man, the Capitol One Vikings, and now there’s Barnaby for Root & Madison. Meet Barnaby, a seasoned, luckless marketing director for Big Time Corporation Inc. Recently laid off from his company because of his online marketing ineptitude, Barnaby represents the businesses in America that ignore their need for service in the online market. While Barnaby represents the problem in a humorous way, Root & Madison represent the solution.

With the cartoon-like style and entertaining script, the quick viral videos help to grab the attention of the viewer and bring about word-of-mouth. The featured character is lovable, forcing sympathetic emotions from those who witness his pitiful expressions and his slightly too realistic situations. While a support group for the internet impaired is a bit extreme, it proves the extent these businessmen are willing to go, but also how often the direction is a little off.

Root & Madison not only helps to point businesses in the right direction, but takes the marketing reins to bring any company a significant growth in traffic. Don’t be Barnaby, but feel free to enjoy R&M’s new, fun character.

Root and Madison Launch Their Medical Microsite

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 17:13:00 GMT

Join Root & Madison in celebrating its new microsite. The recently launched microsite, “We Save Sick Sites”, delves into the importance of a powerful online presence for the medical field. Through its detailed but to-the-point information, the microsite explains the need for effective online marketing and a strong website that expresses the personality of the field while reaching out to potential patients.

The microsite boasts a quiet, yet effective design that gives a glimpse at the possibilities offered to the doctors visiting the site. The clean layout focuses on the color blue, the color of dependability, trustworthiness, and cleanliness. The design and hues communicate both elements of Root & Madison’s dependability in an online presence and of their ability to mirror the characteristics of an effective, immaculate medical establishment.

The doctors expect respect worthy of the prestigious goals they have met in their lives, and Root & Madison expresses that respect through this microsite. Their time is precious, and as such it is important not to waste it, but provide them critical information quickly that can benefit their business. Simple imagery that conveys the point but does not overwhelm or distract helps drive the message home efficiently.

It all comes down to seeing it for yourself, experience is worth more than lectures, so click the following link over to the microsite and see what it’s all about.

Less is More

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 18:55:00 GMT

Throughout the eighties and nineties, graphic design was overloaded with heavy neon color, grunge collage, and intense imagery. The definition of “modern” changes with each generation, the design molding to the likes of the culture. What was modern and “hip” in the previous decades no longer applies in this day and age, or at least as heavily. Each new decade carries over qualities from the previous decades, but they adapt into their own sense of creativity. Minimalism has been in design for decades, but it has become a dominant form in this generation.
Minimalism is usually dominated by white, with hints of black, and a highlight of a single other color. Perhaps in spite of the overindulgence of the previous generations, bringing about simpler designs seems more practical and attractable. Thin lines, white space, but effective layout and alignments help bring simple pieces to life. Next time you enter a fancy restaurant or sushi joint, you will notice the simplistic menus (as long as they are not necessarily following the cultural aspect of the food). These are more appealing to the eye, because the lack of overwhelming imagery gives direction and allows the eye to follow any piece in a comfortable, efficient way.
Minimalistic design is particularly effective in copy-heavy and vehicle-driven (no pun intended) media, in which the design allows the copy or car to be the center of attention, with nothing to distract, but merely accentuate. Minimalism is also economically sound, allowing for print jobs to be produced cheaper (less colors, less money). Although simple, the design itself can be complicated to pull off effectively, so designers beware before committing to the style in a piece. Despite its popularity, not all projects call for this particular design, so never discount other design styles that can be just as creative and efficient.

Green Brings Green

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 18:52:00 GMT

One of the benefits of using online marketing and websites that is sometimes (although not often in this ever-mindful culture) overlooked is how environmentally sound it is. Print advertising, while it still has its place and ways of being eco-friendly, is no longer as effective as online advertising.
Just focusing on the green factor, online marketing helps maintain the environment, often times costs less, and can increase traffic simply for the noticeable green quality the business provides. Green businesses are often more effective because they reuse certain elements otherwise tossed aside, use cheaper, recycled items in the workplace, and have built a foundation with the customer that they care.
A very effective campaign out right now is for the Chevy Volt. The manufacturer states the technology in the engine allows the vehicle to go beyond 230 miles per gallon. If that’s not enough green, the campaign is almost entirely online, saving even more of the environment. The car and its campaign aim to please, and if you’re like me, you’ve suddenly become more interested in the mpg than the online factor, so check it out for yourself. http://www.chevrolet.com/pages/open/default/future/volt.do

Board Games Google Style

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 03:28:00 GMT

It's Friday so I wanted to post something fun. Google has teamed up with board game maker Hasbro to create Monopoly City Streets. According to Hasbro is:

"A live worldwide game of MONOPOLY using Google Maps as the game board."

I just hope they find a way to make "Free Parking" real.

Words don't Attract People, Bullets Attract People

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 06:47:00 GMT

When preparing copy for a document or presentation, it is important to layout the copy in such a way that attracts the eye. The easiest way to do this is the use of bullets. Bullets bring a lot more attention than any single word when discussing body copy. Bullets bring attention to important information, help organize thoughts for the writer and the viewer, form a compatible symbiosis between copy and design, and force the writer to condense copy in a creative way. By setting up bullets as often as possible, you ensure more information absorption from the viewer.
The viewer will notice the title and design of the piece first, then they will turn to the smallest piece of body copy. The human mind, especially a busy one, immediately deters from large sections of copy. If a document is made of paragraphs of information, there is a high probability the only copy to be read will be the title.
It is important, however, to not overload the document with bullets. Bullets are great for stating pertinent information and key points, but not for introducing or closing a document or presentation. If a few clever sentences are needed to encase the bullets, it is advised the writer form the necessary copy. Still, depending on the document, and the estimated amount of reading time, no more than two to three sentences per section of copy should be necessary.

New Google Search Engine

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 02:39:00 GMT

Google has been busy and it should be. Competitors such as Twitter's live search is gaining market share fast. A problem even Google admits to. Recently Matt Cutts of Google said:

"The real-time web is not the threat. Google can index data in seconds. The larger issue is when search engines can't see data."

Admitting you have a problem is the first step to solving it. For Google, a solution might be Google Squared. Essentially Google Squared is a semantic search engine that tabulates information relevant to the search. However the most powerful feature the ability to build your own "square."

Who do you think will win the Search War?

Microsites not so Micro

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 18:27:00 GMT

A growing trend in the online world is the microsite. Microsites have made a huge difference in visits to websites and production. One of the best forms of online advertising (or advertising in general), microsites are a clever way to grow a business effectively and in a creative way.
A microsite is basically a small, less complicated functional website that carries a creative theme throughout it that promotes the initial website. The goal is to bring potential clients to your website to promote curiosity, and therein business flow. Big businesses promote their microsites through online commercials on hulu.com and other media websites. These 10-15 second commercials emit just enough curiosity to get people to the microsite, which in turn gets the people to the website, the heart of the business.
By implementing microsites into your marketing plans, business can increase significantly. Producing several different microsite campaigns that can be used in succession can help gain exponential growth, and keep your business constantly at the head of talk and interest.
To check out one of Root & Madison’s microsites, go to www.saveyoursite.net.

Indie Irony

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:08:00 GMT

Indie films have been quickly growing into the public eye. For many years, since the birth of the Sundance Film Festival (and other similar independent film festivals), independent films, for the most part, stayed independent. Occasionally there would be a break-out performance that redefined a genre or an actor’s career that would be known by all, but they were rare to occur. We find now that in this day and age, indie films are surely, and ironically, becoming mainstream.
It was design that gave away this transition in film. Ever since the popular Napolean Dynamite indie film, a theme has risen in mainstream movies. The design used in Napolean Dynamite of a late sixties style typeface and graphics with a hint of a modern twist has begun to sprout here of there, until it has nearly spawned like rodents. The ability to create a popular, strong film with a small budget is commendable, but the exploitation of that film’s strong design to pull in the target market is unfortunate, from an artistic originality standpoint.
With no disrespect to their quality, films such as Juno, Garden State (which was released at almost the same time as Napolean Dynamite), Adventureland, Wristcutters, Superbad (a poor attempt), and Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist all have nearly the exact same design and layout in their feel and graphics. Designed to look like a personal indie film, these movies played off the trend, creating an irony that was depressing for those who link independent films with originality.
The problem is not the quality of the films, the problem isn’t the script, the problem is the design and marketing that is clearly killing both that film’s originality and respect. There’s nothing wrong with a film looking like another, or playing off of another film’s popularity, but originality must be ignored in order to do so. Regardless of agreement, one can’t ignore the similarities in design.

HTML 5

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 01:40:00 GMT

It's easy to reach for flash when you want to build an engaging website, but with many browsers adopting support for HTML 5 elements you many not being reaching for Flash anytime soon.

HTML 5 introduces several options for rich media support, including audio and video playback. In addition the new Canvas element allows site users to dynamically draw graphics to a web without a plug in. For example check out Canvas Painter.

Comment below with your thoughts.

Put Resumes in Perspective

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 17:19:00 GMT

When setting up a resume, often times one finds himself confused on what perspective he should use to write in, first person or third person. When coming to this decision, first person is right-out. Such a personal perspective can make one sound pompous, and also can drag out a resume far longer than it should be.
In the same way, third person does not trick the recruiter. In fact, a pet peeve of many recruiters is the third person. Speaking like Bob Dole while boasting about yourself is not an effective way to grab someone’s attention, at least in a positive light. Almost ironically, professionalism is even more disconnected than third person, and being able to speak that language through your resume is key.
In reality, one should avoid writing in either perspective, but more particularly, one should write from a perspective further distanced. By writing your resume as though it was the image of the perfect candidate, you set yourself up for success. When writing your responsibilities of past employment, stating the goals of the company as well as skills associated with the business are effective ways to express previous employment. Saying “I did this” or “He did this” are not the proper solution.
Being short, sweet, and to the point draws your talents to the eyes of the recruiter quickly and efficiently, which, of course, would be the goal.

SOCIALNOMICS

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 17:01:00 GMT

The statistics really say it all. We are in a new age whether we want to adapt or not. People all over the world utilize social marketing. Like the video mentioned, we are no longer looking for the news, it finds us. What does this mean for the corporate world? What does this mean for print designers? What does this mean for the entire newspaper industry? Social media is not just a way of communication, it's THE way. And it's not going anywhere. Enjoy the video.

Augmented Reality

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 05:39:00 GMT

Be patient Augment Reality takes a large amount of bandwidth.

The web is changing, and it is changing fast. Augmented Reality, the latest application of alternative camera input, has seemingly overnight taken the internet by storm. Brands such as Toyota, Microsoft's Project Natal for the Xbox, and the above GE smart grid are only the beginning.

How do you see brands using this technology in the future? Please comment below with your thoughts.

Website Usability Testing is Worth The Time

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 20:06:00 GMT

Observing individuals during site navigation can be critical to determining the usability of your site. Although according to recent data complied by and sponsored by Autonomy there many barriers that can be attributed to websites failing to engage in multivariate testing. The number one reason at 58.9% is lack of time, specifically the study participants stated that they were "Too Busy with other stuff", followed by "Don't know enough about the technology", and "Don't have the internal expertise."

Taking time to test a website for usability should be obvious, so I will only address the latter response. Multivariate testing includes several technologies. The most common practices are 1) Eye Tracking and, 2) Video Play Back Sessions .

Eye tracking includes hardware and software usually in the form of a sophisticated LCD screen that monitors eye gazes. Our eye tracker of choice is the Tobii T60XL.

Video play back sessions provide site visitor anonymity, and a larger self selected sample of users. Two leading companies providing solutions for video playback are ClickTale and Userfly.

Is your company currently using multivariate testing? If so how? If not why?

Illustrators Celebrate! Businessmen Beware...

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 22:00:00 GMT

The announcement of the Tablet Mac, including rumors of release dates and integrations, have been going on for some time now. As an illustrator, I am very excited about the technology, but as a copywriter, I am immediately deterred, as should any individual looking to use this product for anything beyond presentations and graphic design.
Along with a good majority of people, I get excited about the next big advancement in technology. Tablets are nothing new, but Apple always finds a way to make any technology more sleek and efficient. In this case, they have created what is essentially a glorified 13-inch iPhone, that uses a Wacom-style pen to navigate and operate the tablet. Entirely screen with no keyboard (other than the one that populates on the screen), this creation allows one to write and draw with “ease”, but that’s about it. The best function of this tablet from my perspective is that it gives the drawing capabilities onscreen (as opposed to on a secondary tablet) with the Mac operating system and sleek design and display. However, if one thinks this will be great for taking notes at the next business meeting or completing an email to a client, the suggestion of this writer is to keep your laptop!
As with tablets of the past, the company attempts to boast writing recognition software, in which a journal-like program onscreen converts your writing into a typeface in another window. This is a nice feature, but do not be fooled into thinking it is as easy to write on a screen as on paper. I have seen many individuals be excited about this feature, but get far too frustrated in attempting to implement it effectively in the personal or business environment. By the time you find yourself slightly efficient with this software, you will see the benefit of simply typing your document or writing it on paper, making this once exciting technology obsolete to your needs.
Having made those statements, I haven’t tried the software/hardware for myself, but based on what I’ve seen, I would assume the same issues that come with other tablets will apply here, except that the Tablet Mac does not have a keyboard attached, and a secondary keyboard would most likely be needed. The physical layout of the tablet is great, a very efficient use of space, and still has plenty of functionality. But I still don’t see much benefit for any individual beyond those who do a lot of graphic design implementing digital illustration, and would love the ability to draw onscreen as opposed to on a separate tablet. But illustrators beware as well, for as it is a difficult transition from paper to screen for writing, you can have the same difficulty from a drawing perspective.
When push comes to shove, you need to try it for yourself, but I definitely suggest you consider my advice that you try the product before an impulsive purchase based on excitement.

Vehicular Design Slaughter

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 16:10:00 GMT

It would be easy to imagine that even the most automobile-savvy of individuals would have a difficult time in this generation to name the make and model of every car out there based merely on its body design. While we are occasionally blessed with an impressive design in the car world (entirely based on opinion, but the Lotus, for example), such awe is few and far between in this day and age. With the coming of retro designs from the H2 Hummers (which are more of a family-version of the original Hummer than a retro version) to the new Mustangs and Camaros, it is apparent that car designers are either becoming lazy or running out of ideas.
When the best idea in a board room of directors and designers is to modify a design from the early seventies, you are concerned whether anything new will ever come out of the woodwork (or metalwork). The economically-sound car was never meant to be anything special, but there was still a time when you could tell them apart from one another. Now that same problem has befallen our sports and utility vehicles, where it would seem one would have to buy a $200,000 Italian or a gas-guzzler that sits six feet off the ground just to stand out on the road.
Creating generic copies of what was in the past is never as much fun as creating the future. A car design used to be an art form, a uniqueness that stood out on the road. If somebody tried to sell you a Van Gogh that was reworked in Photoshop for thousands of dollars, you couldn’t help but laugh. A car design should be daring, breaking the boundaries of what is expected, and showing the world something it hasn’t seen without being concerned about the consequences. That may be a bit extreme, but car shows that boast amazing new designs always seem to quickly fall to the wayside, when it is some of those impressive designs many Americans would like to see on the roads.

Connection Speed: Who Adapts to Who?

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 16:25:00 GMT

A common complaint from web designers when producing a website is the constraints placed on their creativity as it relates to compatibility. This complaint is most often unjustified as the target market comes first when building a website. If the target market has an older computer with an older connection speed, the mature, able designer should adapt the website to the specific needs of the target market. It is important for any technologically involved individual to keep up with its advancements, but it is the duty of a designer to adapt design to all technologies applicable to the target market.
Adapting to connection speeds is not the only reason a designer should pay attention to the extent of complicated extras put into a website. A certain target market may have all the recent computer technology and a fast broadband connection, but not the time to waste or attention span to sit on a website with several loading screens and software upgrade requirements in order to be viewable. The number one deterrent for Flash-heavy websites is the viewer does not want to waste time downloading the Flash player. This issue is slowly fading away, as many computers are even coming with this program due to the program steadily becoming more of a necessity on the web than an option. Despite this fact, there are still many web-browsing Americans that require a website with a quick load, no Flash, and yet still a well-designed webpage to look at and navigate through.
It is fortunate web designers no longer need to compromise design for the nine foot long monoliths with the massive, sluggish cassette tapes slowly oscillating in a hypnotic motion (we have all seen “War Games” and “Scanners”), but it is still unfortunate that design must be sacrificed for compatibility. Of course, it is a necessary sacrifice for the growth of any business, and a good design can look nice and still be effective in most formats available to the target market.

Literal is Never so Literal

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:59:00 GMT

In today’s postmodern music, literal lyrics are never quite so literal. Often times when a lyricist is praising something that the band does not represent, he is often being satirical and critical. Of course I am referring to a particular band and song for this topic, and that band would be Alexisonfire, and the song, “The Northern” off their newest album “Old Crows and Young Cardinals”. The lyrics seem quite heavy on the side of Christian beliefs, yet most of their songs on the CD seem dark and critical.
For example, the song “Sons of Privilege”, track three on the album, quite literally attacks the culture of America from an outside perspective (the band is from Canada). Several songs later, the band plays “The Northern”, a song representing several strong elements of Christian or Biblical culture, also, the dominant religion in America that is often misconstrued as directly linked with the actions of the country’s leaders and popular faces. Several years before, bands like Green Day, A Perfect Circle, Straylight Run, and several others released their own critical songs that attacked the president (at that time George Bush) and his aggressive, conservative politics that were shamefully thrust upon the Christian culture.
As religious reputation has suffered since, Alexisonfire seems to be continuing its critique of the American culture and its dominant religion, for as you take the lyrics into context with the rest of their songs and previous music, it is unlikely the literal lyrics are meant to be considered so literal. Connotation and contextual reference can make words more powerful than they seem, but in the same way, beauty is in the eye of the beholder (or the ear of the listener), “to each their own” as the postmodern world would say, and may the meaning of any song inspire its own personal response to the listener.

Poverty is Profitable

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 16:01:00 GMT

It is interesting to see, in almost a depressing way, the adaptation of advertisements in impoverished areas. Billboards, posters, and banners take a completely different feel and look, molding to their environment in an effective way, but a way that is counter-productive to the culture. As a designer, one understands the importance of reaching the target market, but on the ethical plane, the amount of alcoholic advertisements directed towards the tired, lonely, and poor is, to say the least, a bit disturbing.
Within the financially-stricken locales of any major city, there spawns like rats the mass amounts of advertisements featuring every legal spirit and drug. The target market of the poor and the struggling flock to their escapes due to the constant bombardment of the surrounding ads. It is hard to blame the companies that are simply doing effective advertising, and it is not simply under the fault of lack of self control. The observation made simply points out the guilty pleasures we all desire may not be necessarily from our own consciousness but subliminally engrained into us by the advertisements designed for our cultural environment. No one can say it is bad or good, but merely an issue that in the eyes of ethics and production seems more harmful than efficient.
But it is important to note that targeting a market effectively is not wrong by any means. Is it pointing out a weakness or simply providing a need or want? Advertising tries to convince the viewer the significance of their product, but it also likes to stick to the locations that already consider their product significant. Wrong or right on opinion, the observation is apparent in advertising.

Can Ecommerce be Pretty?

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 04:56:00 GMT

When it comes to designing an ecommerce website or webpage, two key elements come into play, design and functionality. When it comes down to which one has priority, in the case of ecommerce, functionality always takes precedence. Of course, design is important in implementing functionality, as the layout helps define the flow and readability of the page. However, it is imperative the design does not overwhelm, distract, or confuse. It basically comes down to fashion versus functionality.

In this battle of the two elements, it is important to understand the need for proper and effective functionality. For example, when making a decision with your shoulder angel and shoulder devil, it may seem more fun and adventurous to follow the devil’s choice, but, in the long run, it is much more prosperous to follow the angel. The angel (functionality) brings prosperity, which, in turn, leads to the fun.

Having clarified the importance of functionality, it is also just as important to not completely dismiss fashion. Design is not the devil, despite its place in the previous analogy. It is, in fact, a key part to any online construction. Moreover, it is impossible for a website to stand without the proper design and layout. The greatest issue I have seen in the application of ecommerce into a website is its synchronization with the designed environment of the website. It is in this case that simplifying can become complicated, as it is important to apply elements of the overall design in the ecommerce sections of the site while backing off enough to allow ease of use and clear functionality. The point being that ecommerce should flow with a site’s structure without sacrificing efficiency.

The answer in a nutshell is yes, ecommerce can be pretty, but it’s a subtle beauty that has the best effect.

Subliminal Failures

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 02:01:00 GMT

Having had the pleasure of working retail and customer service in my youth, I have learned the ways of brainwashing and false conviction. Each day is a lesson in twisting the tongue in such a way that convinces the customer to purchase the pen you took from their own pocket. Even when encircled amongst the deceptive masses, I was always confused on the success of demeaning and patronizing terminology.

Despite its impressive record, deceptive and patronizing phrases do nothing but to distance the gap between business and customer. When rhythm and rhyme attempts to complete the bridge across the crevasse, it finds itself only creating a longer bridge. “Satisfying the customer’s needs” by convincing them of their needs may increase sales, but is far from effective business.

Personal and personable speech that is meaningful and compassionate builds character for a business and a relationship with the customer. When a customer contacts or enters your establishment, they have an idea of what they need. Of course, there are always things the customer is unaware of that may be an important addition, but scamming a customer into pointless extras simply by repetitive pressures only distances the customer and destroys any ties.

It all comes down to words, and the ones we choose to use. A customer is not an object or a price tag, but a person, and more often than not, an intelligent person. One knows when one is being thrown sugar-coated words, blank statements, and empty promises. Even if they give in to aggressive demands, customers are not satisfied or content with a complete lack of connection. When cohesive words are thrown into the mix, a relationship is fused between business and customer, and suddenly a symbiotic correlation brings prosperity to both parties. Giving meaningful words, and meaning them, can create substantial gain without the bitter taste.

Generic Options

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 00:13:00 GMT

We’ve all seen them, in the grocery store. You’re standing in the cereal aisle and you’re staring at dozens of different brands. Then you see them, the generic brands that run along the floor of the aisle. In simple plastic bags, they stand out next to the cardboard boxes that line the shelves. The ironically similar names match their more expensive counterparts. The significantly larger amount per package increases the value but comes at the price of less than spectacular flavor.

The same situation occurs with websites. It had been brought to my attention the other day when browsing through websites, that there is a generic epidemic striking websites. For every incredibly designed site there are ten that look exactly the same. While the sheer number of websites out there could cause coincidental similarities, there are some where that possibility is highly unlikely. Produced by the same company and sharing eerily the same traits, these websites follow the exact same format. This, of course, comes with similar advantages and disadvantages, must like the cereal aisle example.

The most obvious disadvantage comes from the lack of originality found in a generically designed site. The bland layouts cause the site to be absorbed into the background of other sites built similarly or exactly like it. The advantage comes in the value. A site built from a simple concept and used repeatedly allows it to be mass-produced in a cheap way. This gives value to a customer that otherwise has no means of having an online presence. Despite the advantages and disadvantages, a generic website is generally not the way to go. The point of creating an online presence is to stand out amongst your competitors. You have to spend money to make money, and an effective website can significantly increase the money.

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Rhymes

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 00:15:00 GMT

Many would consider poetry and music linked, perhaps even fused together. A stanza of poetry portrays the beauty of a relationship in a similar, but more silent, fashion than in a verse of a song. Throughout the history of poetry, the words have been often strengthened by powerful imagery. Ever since music’s mass production on mediums like records to the modern compact disc, imagery has become an effective tool for bands in conveying their songs’ meanings.

While iTunes can boast a cheap and efficient way of gaining and retaining one’s favorite music with the cover art, there is something to be said about purchasing the CD of your favorite bands and studying the art of their lyrical booklets. One of my favorite booklets I have witnessed recently was a collage of notepaper with the lyrics scratched out, erased, and rewritten. You could see lyrics that may have possibly been considered in a humble, yet creative format, giving the reader (and listener) the impression of the songwriter’s emotions and motivations.

Often times the cover art and booklet style can emit the aura of the music, further deepening the connection between the listener and the writer. If the words are the bones, the music the muscle, the imagery would be the skin. You hear the lyrics, you feel the melody, and the imagery helps encompass the message completely. Design can always help accentuate purpose and reason, and this case it gives reason for spending the money to own music the way it was meant to be experienced.

Professional Opinions Needed!

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 19:53:00 GMT

I know you are a well respected doctors and I would really value your opinions on a online advertising campaign targeting doctors.

Everyone, feel free to comment.

Please see the attached link. Based on the website design and copy (the text on the page) would you be motivated to fill out the form to learn more about our services? If not what would you like to see?

Thanks for your valuable feedback, I really appreciate it.

http://rootmadison.com/images/medical_microsite_mockup.jpg

--
Sandra Vanhooser

Sandra and Heath - At the Office Day 1

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 14:55:00 GMT

This is our first official day at the office. We decided to do a little intro video. Enjoy!

Big Words, Big Problems

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 02:01:00 GMT

An often misconstrued assumption is that using big words can make one seem intellectually sound. While this often can be the case, of at least creating the mask of intellectual superiority, it is most often not the smartest way to write or speak. Some of the biggest authors in our time would vouch that it does not matter the depth of your message if no one can read it.

The key to writing any particular piece applies the same principles as design, one must know his audience. Studying your audience to be as relevant to their point of view as possible is just as, if not more important, than the writing itself. For example, using words thick with the connotation of a hopefully impressionable term paper may not speak to an audience of young adults looking for a back adjustment. And vice versa, as throwing around street slang and teen jargon may not be the easiest way to impress a panel of executives. By expressing your writing in a powerful, impactful way, your writing can go from being a piece of body copy to an effective message specifically aimed for your client.

Graphic Design is like an Onion

Sun, 23 Aug 2009 21:27:00 GMT

Perhaps it would be better to consider graphic design more like a cake, a much more appealing food. Many who enjoy a nice piece of cake appreciate the importance of layers and how delicious they can make the delectable dessert. When it comes to making a powerful, effective piece of design, especially in reference to Photoshop, the key is layers as well.

When applying photography, art, or even a typeface, layers make design easier and more pleasing to the eye. A layer, simply put, is a level on which you work on in any given project window. For example, you may have a picture on one layer, a title on another, and a background color on yet another layer. By separating each element onto different layers, you allow yourself to edit a single piece of the design without affecting any of the rest of the project.

Despite that obvious advantage, an even more important one is the detail and visual expansion that can be applied to a design through layers. Sometimes underestimated and ignored, even within the graphic design world, layers can make a picture pop or alter the image to transport a man from the cornfields of Kansas to the plains of the Sahara in realistic fashion. By applying several different effects and using different levels of opacity, an otherwise bland image can be transformed into a print advertisement that you have envied for your own business.

It is important to remember that eye candy isn’t everything. A powerful image is nothing if it is not sending a powerful message. Relevance and communication come first, then the amazing designs!

Sandra's Tips for Designers-Part 3

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 23:09:00 GMT

Sandra's Tips for Designers-Part 3

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 23:08:00 GMT

Sandra's Tips for Designers-Part 3

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 23:07:00 GMT

Online Overhaul

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 23:33:00 GMT

One of the most impressive websites I have seen is the site built for the Bugatti Veyron car. Obviously a high-end vehicle, the manufacturer could afford a high-end website, but still, the layout and use of effective techniques is worth emulating.

The graceful and minimalistic design using thin lines, sans serif type, and solid white, give the page a pure, unadulterated feel. Expressing the angelic nature of the car through the calm, collected fusion of simplistic design, the creatively shot photography implicated emphasizes the character of the car. Obviously a work of art in itself, the site focuses a great deal on the Veyron’s design to drive the quality of the site, letting the car speak for itself, and keeping the minimal design from becoming a distraction.

Simply put, the site shows that sometimes less is more, that getting to the point can prove more impactful than shallow, creative design. While a flashy site can certainly draw in a crowd, it’s the crowd that stays for more that truly matters to a business.

CMYK vs. RGB

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 23:29:00 GMT

While these two systems of color appear simple to the veteran graphic designer, the average person does not understand the actual difference between the two. As this explanation won’t take long, expect this to be a short and to-the-point blog!

Firstly, RGB stands for red blue green, simple enough. These three colors stand for how a computer processes color and displays it on the screen. Through these three merging of colors, the computer can produce any color for the viewer. However, this color scheme does not transfer well to paper, especially when it comes to in-depth, high resolution graphics.

Secondly, CMYK stands for cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. For whatever reason, k stands for black. Through these four colors, we can produce a strong resolution print document, the best you can print. The main problem, as with RGB, the colors can look different on a computer screen.

When creating a print document, it is important to work in CMYK, and RGB for computer-only designs. In the case of print designs, it is important to have a large color swatch palette physically on hand. It shows you the color you pick from within the program how it will look physically. As the color will look differently on the computer, appearing in RGB, it is imperative to trust the palette for the final print. What may appear pinkish on screen will have the deeper red in the print, as expected. Even when it comes to the computer, it is not always smart to trust your eyes.

Comical Misconceptions

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 23:26:00 GMT

Costumed heroes have quickly been flowing into the mainstream of pop culture within the last several years. Starting with the successful X-Men trilogy, movies like Iron Man, Spider-Man, and The Dark Knight have been shining a light on comics that has never been seen by the general public. Yet, there is still a strong misconception among comics, that the only adult form of the iconic characters are on the big screen.

Throughout the years, comics have developed from their childish, cliché beginnings into mature pieces that are as real and applicable to the surrounding culture as any television series. Through powerful writing, stories have been designed with political and social atmospheres that satirically and critically analyze the national and international contemporary situations of our generations. In an artistic undertone, comic writers touch on all elements of life, using thick dialogue and weaving stories.

Where comics seem to lose the general public is the reputation of the classic, cliché comic and the concept of drawings in books. Firstly, with the classic comic, mature writing and dialogue was a rarity. Many comics written for the child, there was little aspect to draw in the adult. It wasn’t until many years later that the comic matured into what it is today, but it has never been fully capable of losing its past. Secondly, the problem comes not from the comics’ past, but our own. As we are raised, our books are filled with pictures. We are conditioned to believe that pictures and words (either by themselves are considered mature art) together are for the immature and young. This is an unfortunate misconception, as the depth and artistic value found in comics should not simply be tossed to the wayside.

It should be mentioned that comics are mostly for entertainment. They draw no more respect than a television show or a movie. But as films and shows have their own level of artistic value, so do comics, and on a deeper level than most are willing to admit. Both the quality of writing and art found in today’s comic book are worthy of the attention their theatrical copycats so easily receive.

Photoshop vs. Illustrator

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 23:28:00 GMT

Those who are unfamiliar with graphic design are often unaware of Adobe Illustrator. Yet, when asking for help in a design area they will demand the project be “Photoshopped”. As design evolves, the use and need of programs does as well. Photoshop used to be the dominant program in graphic design, but slowly, at least from within the industry, the program is taking a backseat to Illustrator.

Produced by the same company Adobe, the programs have not been struggling for control of the industry, in fact it is quite the opposite, they work together quite well and support each other. The most obvious difference between the two programs is their way of processing graphics. Photoshop is based around raster, using pixels, while Illustrator is based around vector, which is focused on numbers and calculation. Photoshop is strong in its customization and expansive features, but is limited, more so by the hardware being used, in the sizes it can reach and not become distorted. In an opposite manner, Illustrator does not have quite an extensive editing system, but it will never have a weak resolution no matter the size.

As the two programs continue to adapt to better suit each other, they have begun to merge, sharing similar features of one another. Photoshop has become easier to work with in higher resolutions as well as incorporating vector features, and Illustrator is expanding more of its features to be more customizable. So far, the programs have worked well together, and it will be a shame the day they no longer need each other, but it will come to great applause for those who no longer wish to switch back and forth between the programs to complete a single project.

Writer's Block

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 23:23:00 GMT

An epidemic is striking America, destroying its entertainment industry like a cancer. Theatrical films have been suffocating under the plastic blanket of lazy writers. A decent script is fewer and further between than in any previous generation. The film industry will never fail to bring in the crowds, but the quality of films is sure to decrease with the fall of originality.

With a mass of remakes and sequels exploding onto the screen, originality is becoming an endangered species. With classic horror films like Halloween and Friday the 13^th getting their remakes, and comics, toys, and videogames producing their own films, there are few films provided in the summer with any depth and freshness of their own. For the foreseeable future, many production companies are expecting their blockbusters to be remakes, sequels, or adaptations. Needless to say, some of these remakes had validity, applying modern, advanced elements to a bland film with a great script, but after the success of several of these remakes, such as the Texas Chainsaw Massacre, remakes have been spawning like viruses. In the same manner, sequels are deserved for those films that do extremely well, but one thing to consider is the movies that are getting these sequels. Recent sequels have been remakes of older films (Halloween, Ocean’s Eleven), based on old cartoons and toys (Transformers), or comics (Iron Man, Spider-Man).Having said that, there is something to be said for adaptations. A common misconception of films is how often it is adapted from a play or book. In fact, a great number of films are based on novels and are never mentioned as such. Is there more respect to be had for films based on novels as opposed to videogames? Perhaps. There is certainly a difference in the quality put into a novel and the writing of most videogames. It can certainly be seen on film that few videogame adaptations have been able to succeed in driving any emotions beyond fear or shallow enjoyment.

Beyond these comments, there is something to be said about the well-written original pieces shown today. They are like an oasis in a desert of flashy films, dramatic and entertaining, touching the heart while keeping your attention. Films like Sunshine, District 9, and Moon show that writing can be unconventional, fiction-driven, and still be impactful and entertaining. Writing is the backbone to any great film, and those films have a strong backbone.

HTML vs. Actionscript

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 23:31:00 GMT

When it comes to such a discussion in comparing two different types of coding for a website, it really becomes a subjective topic. Despite this fact, there are significant differences between the two that may help you make a decision in which code you will use the next time you build a website.

Although there are similarities in their layout, the results of the codes are noticeably different. HTML tends to have a more formal, static design, focusing on grids and set parameters to create an efficient layout. Used most commonly in ecommerce, government, and business websites, it monopolizes the internet. The ease of use of the code has allowed it to be used by teens on social networking websites like Myspace, and in producing their own website through cheap or free web domains. While popular, and seemingly infinitely customizable, there are limitations in its showmanship.

Actionscript, the code used in the Adobe (once Macromedia) Flash program, can have a static structure as well, but is more often used for its ability to animate a website into an extravagant performance. If implemented properly, the animation works seamlessly with the website layout, creating a powerfully effective piece of web design. Though extremely artistic, the code rarely runs past that scheme, often considered flashy (no pun intended) and unprofessional.

Both imply interactive elements, and that is the key. Despite their strengths and weaknesses, the efficiency of any website is connecting the customer to the website. A powerful way to do that is through interactive elements like blogs and forums. Both actionscript and html have the code capable of creating these simple pieces to be more personable with the customer. Building a relationship, even in an online environment, can be exceedingly helpful in increasing business.

Sandra's Tips for Designers Part 2- Color

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 23:37:00 GMT

Sandra's Tips for Designers-Part 1

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 20:33:00 GMT

Webcomics Boast Great Copywriters

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 18:01:00 GMT

Many would say that a humorous comic found in the newspaper or, in this case, online is dependent on great writing to succeed in delivery most of the time. In fact, I would go as far as to say that as long as you have a picture in your head of the environment of two people carrying on in conversation, the copy would be enough to procure a reaction of laughter. I have found there are a select few of these comics online that boast some amazing writing.

One such comic would be the recently discovered Cat and Girl. The thick, pensive dialogue is sardonically proclaimed from the mouth of a cynical, sarcastic girl who never refrains from sharing her critique of pop culture through items such as ringtones and Wikipedia. Her most common form of communication found through monologues that perfectly reflect the contemptuous, pessimistic attitude of this generation, of course, in a humorous fashion.

In the same derisive form, Penny Arcade focuses its analytical tongue towards videogames. While the writer for this comic provides excellent dialogue between two malicious gamers (or often a satirical view of videogame company executives), his most impressive writing is found in the blog that shadows each comic. A dictionary necessary for any review of his blogging work, you would easily forget you were reading a review for a videogame. An ironic image to be sure, a gamer with the gift of gab.

For fear of copyright (no pun intended) infringement, I could not post an image of the comics discussed in this forum, but I will provide information necessary to read them yourself.

Expansion of Root & Madison Website Copy Continues

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 18:00:00 GMT

As Root & Madison’s revamped site is on the verge of emerging, the copy has gotten a steroid shot by yours truly. With a little more bark and a lot more bite, the website is sure to impress previous clientele and potential clients alike. Focused around the customer, Root & Madison has better adapted their site to revolve around the customer’s needs while being pleasing to the eyes.

The user-friendly navigation is reinforced by copy with a creative edge and smooth readability. Backed behind a great typeface and color scheme, the copy is clear, concise, yet avoids a bland stroll through legalistic jargon to explain to the customer the goals and information of Root & Madison.

I know your mouth must be drooling for the opportunity to see it, but you’ll just have to wait for the launch.

Billboard Befuddlement

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 18:01:00 GMT

Billboards are the ironic piece in the advertising puzzle. They are a forever effective element in marketing, but seem to forever be a struggle to master for some graphic designers. For every great advertisement presented on an outdoor board, there are hundreds of grotesque monstrosities that are cluttered with paragraphs of information with red on black text and, somehow, three pictures of smiling families. It’s these ads that give billboard advertising a bad reputation, but there are beautifully and concisely constructed billboards that really hit the mark. It is through these great billboards that we can really get an idea of the key elements that form an effective billboard advertisement.

There are certain successful campaigns that have translated so well onto the billboard format. One that is most noticeable is the Chick-Fil-A billboard campaign. While a bit unorthodox, and most certainly more expensive, the creative layout of their billboards certainly bring them bang for their buck. Using their now infamous cows in a 3D fashion, they have literally placed life-size cows on the billboard painting a simple, yet comical statement onto the board. On one such billboard, they used their humor-driven slogan of “eat mor chikin”, the words purposefully misspelled so as to reflect the poor literacy of the cows. With three words and a single (though expensive, but not necessary) visual, the fast food chain has provided a powerful lesson in several key areas of billboard advertising.

Firstly, the copy must be legible and easily read while driving down the road. At the mercy of the curvature and allowed speed of the road, the driver has only seconds to receive the message from the billboard. This requires the graphic designer to limit the elements on the board so the message is concise but still clearly delivers. To be safe, it is best to have a maximum of nine items on the billboard, and that includes each individual word, imagery, and a call-to-action. Chick-Fil-A executed this perfectly by using only three words and a single image. The typeface is perfect as well, fitting the familiar style of the cows’ horrible writing skills, yet legible from the road because of the large size and the black-on-white format. Combined with the hilarious and easily visible 3-dimensional cows painting the message on the board, the message is delivered quickly and effectively to the consumer.

Chick-Fil-A is certainly not the only efficient billboard on our highways today, but it is definitely a campaign worth modeling after. It is important to note that there is no necessity in placing a 3D model on top of the billboard (though it can help!), but the principles presented by it should for certain be acknowledged and duplicated.

Copywriters Neglected

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 17:59:00 GMT

i-ro-ny [ahy-ruh-nee] - noun
1. An outcome of events contrary to what was, or might have been, expected.

Example: Web designers out-write copywriters 2-to-1.

Believe it or not, but when it comes to web design, designers are used twice as often for the copy as copywriters, according to a poll of website owners. This sounds like a massive difference in the marketing populace, but the difference is rather minute by the percentages. Only 12% of the website owners polled used a web designer for their copy, let alone whether the web designer had any involvement in the design process of the website itself. That means only 6% of the websites have copy from copywriters. An overwhelming 80% of the website owners polled either did their own copy or had a member of their staff perform the duty.

These daunting numbers are depressing for all involved, both the website owners and copywriters alike. The copywriters suffer from the lack of business from such opportunities, and the websites suffer from effete body copy that doesn’t reach out to their target market.

The number one excuse provided by the website owners is their paucity of financial means to compensate for the hiring of a copywriter. An unfortunate downward spiral then occurs of a deficit in production for both parties involved. Although some website owners may not have the financial capabilities to hire a copywriter, others do have the means, but do not see the benefit of a copywriter’s skills, going as far as having a lack of trust for the copywriter’s knowledge of their company and providing the information they feel is necessary.

The goal of a copywriter is to provide the information of a company in a manner that best reaches their target market in a creative and effective way. This requires research into the business, research into their target market, and creative application of the research into a copy format that portrays the need of both the business and the consumer. What is not understood by some website owners is the extent in which said copy would boost the business involved.

Copywriting, especially in the form of social marketing and blogging, is becoming more important and desirable in online business. The percentages above are bound to change as the priority of copywriting is better recognized.

Your Book Will be Judged by its Cover

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 17:59:00 GMT

It is a well-known fact the importance of a great first impression when applying for a job in the graphic design industry. Of course, the key to any interview is your portfolio. However, far too often a graphic designer focuses too much on what to bring in the portfolio than the carrier itself.

Sometimes it is better to grab the attention of your potential employer with the outside of your portfolio rather than the inside. One example of an effective portfolio was the infamous shoe-in portfolio, in which a graphic designer prepared his portfolio in a shoe and propped it in the door of a graphic design firm. Another portfolio sang, literally, to its interviewer, setting a new precedence for making a portfolio stand out and get noticed. Sometimes it doesn’t take such elaborate or extreme creativity, turning your drop-off portfolio into a handy tool for the office can be an effective way of getting attention. The essential purpose of this blog is to state that it is better to take a chance in a creative case than go in with a bland, professional portfolio. If you have to, at least make sure it looks nice.

We’re told a lot of sunshine and rainbows stories growing up, always told the silver-lining mottos that are meant to lift our young, fragile spirits. Unfortunately, in the case of “don’t judge a book by its cover”, your cover will be judged.

Plagiarism Systems Still in Debate

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 22:48:00 GMT

With the internet and its information at the disposal of any student with a computer and a connection, plagiarism has become a growing concern in universities. While the opportunity to plagiarize is easier than ever, the possibility of succeeding with the plagiarism is decreasing significantly with the invention of automated plagiarism systems.

When it comes to automated plagiarism systems, there is much debate over the dependability of the systems. The most popular of these systems are Turnitin and SafeAssign. The original worry for these programs was their ability to identify plagiarism consistently, universities being more concerned with the systems catching potential plagiarism than perhaps even the content of the paper. As these programs are becoming more popular in universities around the nation, skepticism has begun to arise on the fidelity of the products.

Two ironic situations emerged when a study was conducted for the Conference on College Composition and Communication, which helps to govern such things as plagiarism. The study took place at Texas Tech University, in which they compared the two programs against 200 term papers from their students. Turnitin discovered more plagiarizing irregularities than did SafeAssign, but that may not have necessarily been a great accomplishment for Turnitin. The first of the two ironies was that the study found that Turnitin was a little too vigilant in its search for plagiarism, flagging enough of a paper that it would find a percentage even in this spontaneous blogging debacle. Despite this, Turnitin was advocated by several universities at the conference, leading us to our second irony. Turnitin had provided financial compensation to several participating universities for them to promote their product over their competitors. A company that provides a virtuous service doing slightly underhanded deeds is ironical to me. Despite this financial conduct (it was spoken about openly, so I won’t go as far as to say misconduct) and its excessive search for plagiarism, Turnitin is an effective tool against plagiarism and should continue to be refined as opposed to dismissed.

Despite the consistency or dependability of automatic plagiarism systems, be respectful. Don’t copy copy.

Yahtzee Spares No Expense

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 03:24:00 GMT

Recently I came across the new board game Yahtzee Free-For-All. The entertaining game carried over elements from its previous scheme of rules, but added some fun and creative twists. While the game was enjoyable, it was not the focus of my attention, the packaging was. The game presented itself in a very extensive packaging design that built its entire layout around the key component of Yahtzee, the die.

The hexagonal box forms a 3-dimensional image of the die. Once the top is removed, you find the packaging, when unfolded, forms into the board itself while revealing the contents that allow the game to take place. While the unfolding presents the places for each player to station themselves, the neatly constructed compartments for the dice and cards are displayed. With the dice and cards removed and placed into their positions on the versatile board, I found myself thoroughly impressed with the complexity and creativity in the design and construction of the game.

Despite my response to the board and packaging itself, I was most impressed with the instructional guide that was designed in the same hexagonal format. Folded neatly inside the packaging, it had flaps on each side which unfolded like an aperture to reveal the instructions. Once unfolded, the perfectly sized and legible typeface was displayed on a clever background that was stimulating but not distracting. Altogether, the feel of the packaging and print material was innovative and certainly an element that strengthened the game itself.

Breaking away from conventional rectangular-box packaging, Yahtzee Free-For-All enhanced the very nature of its simple game with its eye-catching and innovative construction. This design is definitely commendable and assuredly earned Yahtzee bang for its buck.

What Makes A Great Website? – part 2

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 18:32:00 GMT

Yesterday we talked about what goes into a website. I should mention that every web designer or design firm is different. We all have our quirks and tendencies that make us unique. So when you look into a web design firm, their process might be a little different, but the basic principles I discuss(ed) should remain the same.

Today we’ll talk about how you can help speed the process along and help your chosen web designer to make your site exactly as you want it.

4) Be prepared and have a solid idea of what content you need/want.

I’ve had several clients that say they want a website and have no clue what they need to provide or that they should even do anything. Well that’s okay, a great design firm can certainly create everything from scratch (other than business specific information), but that will generally double the cost of your website.

So how can you help keep the cost down and speed up the process? Know what pages you want (i.e. home, about, contact, etc) and what basic content that you need on each page. Things like written copy (or text), images or any other static information that won’t change regularly and will be important information you need to get across should be prepared before you even contact a web designer. Yes a designer will be more than happy to take that information and make it look and sound better, but they can’t read minds (not yet anyways J) and don’t always know what needs to be said.

5) Understand that we’re professionals and we know what we’re doing

The worst type of client is one that waits until the end to request changes. There is a reason why you’re paying your designer good money; because you’re dealing with experts. Part of the process of creating a website (as discussed in my previous post) is understanding your company and its competitors. Trust that your designer knows what they’re doing and make comments or suggestions as each step is completed. If you don’t like how some things are written in the copy, let them know when they provide it for approval. Don’t wait until your designer is handing you mockups to tell them that you want to change a couple pages content. This will only cost you more and delay the process.

Major things like color schemes and font types should also be decided early on. You should have plenty of opportunity to make a decision before full mockups are started. Again, waiting to let your designer know you don’t like a color late in the game will only delay things and cost you more. Bottom line, don’t be counter-productive, stay on top of what’s provided and request changes at the end of each step rather than at the end of the entire process.

6) Your website is up and running and not only is it stagnant, but no one is visiting. How can you change that?

So you got a great design and your website is up and running perfectly. The problem is it’s been two weeks and you’ve got a grand total of 27 visitors per week. Great that’s a lot of money down the drain. How do you fix this? Well there are some ways to keep your site fresh and help boost your site on sites like Google and Yahoo.

Find a designer that specializes in Email, Social Marketing and Blogging. These three things will help drive users to your website. Email and Social Marketing will help get your name out there on platforms social networks. Blogging will keep your website fresh with constant updates and in turn bump you up that search list on major search engines. What’s great about these marketing techniques is they completely replace your standard concepts (TV, Radio and Print). You could easily spend tens of thousands of dollars a month just to compete for someone’s attention. With our approach, your potential clients aren’t bombarded with information but are given the opportunity to see, read and respond and create a dialogue with you and then hopefully turn to your company for their needs.

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So I hope that you’re a little wiser on what exactly you’ll need when it comes to web design and that you understand where exactly your money is going.

At RM we’re always updating our blog with great information, but if you can’t find the answer to a question, please email us and let us know your questions. We’ve spent a lot of time understanding what you need and would love to get your business launched on the internet!

**The Root & Madison team are experts in Social Marketing and Web Design. If you’ve landed here looking for that right fit, we hope your search is over. Head on over to our main page and take a look around, then fill out our contact form and let us know what we can do for you. Let us be your web design and marketing team**

What Makes A Great Website? - part 1

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 18:21:00 GMT

When considering a website for your business, it’s important to think about everything your website will be doing for you. Many small businesses just want a website that they can point potential clients to, but if their website is just a couple of static pages, those clients will quickly forget about that website. So what should you be looking for in a website? Let’s look at some quick tips and important points that you should always consider before your website ever hits the internet.

1)Web Design(er)s and your pocketbook

So you think you found someone that can do your website for under $1,000. That’s all well and good, but what exactly do you expect out of this? Most college students or beginning freelancers will gladly charge you their bare minimum for a site because they need the cash and you’re interested. But you’ll definitely get what you pay for.

Consider going with a reputable web design firm. You should expect to pay 10,000+ depending on how big your website actually needs to be. The important thing to understand is a good web design firm will spend every working moment dedicated to your company until the website is up and running. A great web design company will have also made sure to factored in upkeep time in their quote and continue to maintain your website for a pre-determined period of time after your site is live.

2)Time: How long should I expect to wait for my site to be finished?

A quick way to find out if you’ve got a great web design firm is how long the website will take to finish. The average website should take between two to three weeks to complete. If your web designer guarantees that your site will be done in under a week, ask them when they expect to take the time to find out what your company wants and what you are looking for. Conversely, if you’re paying someone and they offer you a discount because your site will take more than a month, do they really care about you or your company? Chances are they’ve got someone else that’s paying them more and they’re bumping that company in front of yours.

3)What exactly goes in to a web design?

A lot of companies have a hard time paying someone $10,000 just to design their website. Well let’s look at what all goes into making your page look and function as it does.

The first phase should be spent solely in understanding your company and in deciding how the website should function. This time should also be spent in major conversation with you, the client. Discovering what you want out of your website, what types of colors, font faces, design elements and number of pages are just some of what a web designer does before the actual design even starts. Next a series of mockups that show the full design in image format should be produced. This gives you the opportunity to understand exactly how your website will look. At this point, the design team will be entering the later phase(s) and are barely halfway through the process. *Check out our process at RM*

Now comes the coding. This is by far the most misunderstood part of what goes into web design. Chances are if your looking to have a site designed, you haven’t even thought about what goes into the coding process, you really only care that your site looks great and works the way it should. Well let’s try and understand what it takes to make that happen. Great code can easily take more than 200 hours. Why? Well think of the number of browsers that are out there. Internet Explorer currently has three major versions (IE6, IE7 and IE8) that all have minor tweaks that a coder has to pay attention to in order to get the website to look the same in each one. Then you have your emerging web browsers (Firefox and Safari) that a coder must pay attention to as well.

Those are just the basic elements to coding. Let’s say that you have a blog on your website. Depending on the CMS platform, a coder must then convert your base code (HTML and CSS) into a different type of code (usually PHP, but varies based on the platform used).

Now let’s imagine that you have a fancy header that has images transition (like a slideshow). A coder must add scripts (i.e. javascript, ajax) to make everything function properly. And that’s just the easy coding. There are many more indepth coding processes used for fancier websites like you might see on an eCommerce site.

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So today I’ve talked about what goes into a website before you ever see it live. Tomorrow I’ll talk about what you, as the client, need to do to help the process along and keep your website updated with fresh content.

Redefining Typeface

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 17:58:00 GMT

Experienced graphic designers understand the importance of typeface. The shape, grace to leading and kerning, compatibility, and legibility are key characteristics to consider in selecting the proper typeface for a print ad or website headers and body copy. The carefully selected typeface can define a piece of design, sending a message to the viewer beyond the words they represent. Despite the complexity of typeface design, the creativity has recently been expanded into a rapidly growing art form.

As the title of this blog so curiously hints at, this entry is about type faces (link to the 45 images below). These incredible works use typefaces to create profiles conveying emotions, famous people, and powerful messages. Through their word choice and typography selection, the words and typeface used as much define the image as the image formed from the words. The way the typeface and image integrate seamlessly shows a maturity in design and comprehension of typeface. I highly suggest taking a quick glance through the images in the link. Surely one will impress.

McDonald’s Dominates Copy

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 17:58:00 GMT

With the monopoly that is McDonald’s, it would prove difficult to avoid its advertising campaign, whatever medium being used. Clearly the fast food chain has never struggled to have effective marketing, but a new campaign for McCafe in the form of billboards reaffirms the statement of their dominance in advertising.

Primarily copy, the billboards target financially exhausted Americans weary of the struggling economy and disgusted with the price of coffee growing exponentially like oil. Like music to their ears, the billboards present lyrics that sing into the heart of any distressed American dying for a cup of coffee but not at the price of a precious limb. Satirically serenading about the expensive prices of café chains like Starbucks, McCafe proudly competes with quality found with affordability, in another word, value.

One such billboard of the aforementioned McCafe campaign states plainly, “I’m a coffee lover, not a millionaire”. This is a powerful message for the early morning commuter looking for a cup of consciousness that won’t make the first few hours of pay a written check to the nearest coffee shop. The sardonic humor in the single sentence says so much to the consumer. The economy may be down, your wallet may be tight, but that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your morning caffeine, or the taste.

There aren’t many opportunities to take advantage of a suffocating economy, but if one company could pull it off with a single sentence, it would be McDonald’s.

Queen Elizabeth Gets Social.

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 22:37:00 GMT

Twitter. Even Buckingham Palace is on board.

A spokeswoman for Buckingham Palace announced, Friday, that the Royal Family's is now on Twitter. She said that Tweets would serve as a news and information service used to share lists of engagements and website updates.

"The Queen has been advised that it's up and running but there won't be any members of the Royal Family tweeting," she said.

On 12 Jul 11:00: Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace http://www.royal.gov.uk/G.

Gallery: The Princess Royal chats to a guest during a garden party in the grounds of Buckingham Palace to... http://www.royal.gov.uk/Dfabout 1 hour ago from Royal Household

On 9 Jul: Prince William - will watch the British Women's Team play Slovakia in the LEN European Nations... http://www.royal.gov.uk/DW

Interested?

You can follow the Royals @BritishMonarchy, but don't expect The Royal Family to follow you. As of date they have 6008 followers. They are following zero. Hmmm, maybe the Queen needs a lesson on Twitterquette.

Tylenol Combats Negative Opinion With Ads.

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:51:00 GMT

Open up your daily paper and you might see a full page ad that reads: Tylenol- The safest brand of pain reliever you can choose.

On June 30th, a panel of experts gathered to discuss the risk of acetaminophen consumption and its toll on the liver. The FDA proposes to tighten current dosing instructions and control the number of acetaminophen products on the market. Citing that after only two weeks of daily use, livers tested show signs of damage.

In light of the FDA investigation challenging the current market of over-the-counter acetaminophen, Tylenol has launched a campaign to protect its brand. Johnson and Johnson is promoting the product worldwide, but has added a tag line: you take more than the recommended dose … you can cause serious liver injury.

Over the years, Johnson and Johnson has been a leader in crisis management. Johnson and Johnson's handling of the 1982 Tylenol crisis has become a staple in public relations education. It exemplifies the power of proactive public relations. Johnson and Johnson was on cue and on target. Though they pulled their product temporarily, the Tylenol brand was saved and, in fact, stronger than ever before.

Is Johnson and Johnson's current campaign proactive or reactive? Are they doing what is right or are they looking out for number one?