Stay On Top of Your Game

Lisa Jeffries Nobling on March 4, 2009

I recently signed up for Google Alerts (in beta testing) for my own business and for many of the businesses that I work with. Once a week (or however often I prefer), Google sends me updates by email on each phrase I’ve set up an alert for. It’s VERY cool.

Just today I received an update on “Buckhead Saloon” and found tons of videos on YouTube from our own customers. Almost all were actually pretty flattering, some were downright hilarious.

What did I do in response? Created a branded-YouTube channel for Buckhead Raleigh. I then added all of those videos that I could find related to this venue to Buckhead’s “favorites” and added a link to our YouTube channel on all of our other social media (MySpace, facebook Page, Twitter, etc.). Our sales manager can now send instant examples to potential clients of just how local organizations, non-profits, etc. have held events at our venue and tons of success doing so. Greek Week 2008, anyone?

I hope everyone enjoys this free tip!

PS – Of course, there’s a lot more that you can do with Google Alerts. I just chose to approach this one weekly report from an integrated marketing communications (IMC) approach.

A Short & Sweet on Surveys

Lisa Jeffries Nobling on February 16, 2009

I don’t usually like to re-publish things that other marketers have shared… I guess because I only agree with them half of the time. What can I say… I guess I march to the beat of my own drum.

I did however, like this very short and sweet post on survey building (short and to the point – that’s my kind of business read!) shared via Strategic Guru on twitter:

Five tips for better online surveysHappy Monday!

Chubbly Bubbly

Lisa Jeffries Nobling on January 31, 2009

The (fairly new) Miller High Life campaigns are right up there when it comes to my favorite advertising campaigns.

Warning: This could be a spoiler… has anyone else seen this one running pre-Bowl as a intro?
(via Trendhunter)

At “$100,000 a second”, I think they’re going be a crowd-favorite this year.

Could this be the Miller’s answer to Bud’s 2006 “Magic Fridge“?

PS – Apparently, 11 Super Bowl ads have been leaked ahead of game time. I refuse to watch them… that’s the whole reason I watch the game if the Panthers (or Texans, or Titans) aren’t playing!

PS#2 – I definitely just became a fan on facebook:


Kudos to whoever created this entire campaign… the only thing I could quickly find was that the Bowl ad was done by Saatchi & Saatchi, NY.

Free Real Estate Tip of the Day: Ditch the Desk

Lisa Jeffries Nobling on January 28, 2009

I was with a client just a few days ago looking at a very high end home that had – you guessed it – a desk built into the kitchen.

A few years ago, this was super standard in larger kitchens, but it’s on the decline now and I believe that’s with good reason.

1) It’s a place that inadvertently collects crap and clutter. No one wants that in the kitchen!

2) If you’re “laptopping it” with your email and recipes, you can do that on a good amount of counter space to begin with and the laptop can still call the office “home”.

3) These built-in desks are usually positioned lower – at a “seated” chair position. It’s just awkward and screws up the flow of the counters. Plus, most kitchens function better and look better with high stools/bar chairs. Once again, a “W” (a win) for the laptop on the regular counter/bar option.

Check out the rest of the Home Fads That Are Falling Out of Place from this month’s Realtor(R) Magazine Online.

I personally don’t agree with all of them, especially because some trends just don’t translate locally the same (ie: fireplaces – they CAN stay. This is still the South and unless you’re in a always hot locale in a small flat, it’s still a major “want” for many buyers), but it’s got some good tips and fresh perspectives nonetheless.

{Double Post} Dear XM Radio

Lisa Jeffries Nobling on January 28, 2009

This is a {Double Post} from my personal blog, because I believe it’s a prime example of how NOT to conduct your business.

Every morning that I’m planning on being in the office for a bit, I launch Firefox and XMRadio.com so I can listen to The Highway (formerly Highway 16) and whatever else fits my fancy that day.

Today, this is what I was greeted with:

“Screw that.” – was my first response. “I beg you pardon?” – was my second.

Let me preface this by saying that every single vehicle in my family has either XM or Sirius radio. Thanks to the merger, XM/Sirius has a good deal of business with us. Each vehicle has a removable satellite radio unit so we can use them in the house, on the boat, wherever. Technically, I could do the same in my office, but the reception isn’t great since this is a commercial building constructed of primarily metal. I am however, not above engineering up a solution to avoid being charged for something I’ve always been provided as an included service.

Plus, the online radio service isn’t THAT good anyway. The “what’s playing now” feature (so you can see what’s on other stations before you change the channel) never auto-updates anymore.

Finally, I’m not the world’s best copywriter, but I’m pretty sure I could’ve damn well figured out a better, more eloquent way to say “renew your contract now if you still want this free service of be prepared to ante up more money”. Don’t play games with me XM, I will win.

PS – XM Radio… I HOPE you find this blog post and feel a little embarrassed. I would too if I were you.

[End Rant]

"Driving" Your Brand Home

Lisa Jeffries Nobling on January 26, 2009

I received a flyer in the mail today for a new local advertising program: Tee Time North Carolina.

There aren’t any locations close enough to the shop that I was interested in advertising with at the moment (and I also didn’t think the rates were very competitive for small businesses), but nonetheless, I still think it’s a pretty cool idea.

The only thing I could see being an issue for me is weathering. I’m very particular about brand management, so if maintenance wasn’t a key factor for this provider, I could get disappointed very quickly. Lots of our clients enjoy golf and golfers could be a good demographic for us is why I was particularly interested and bothered to check out the website provided on the flyer.

PS: This is not a sponsored post – so if the folks behind TeeTimeNC.com happen to find this blog by way of Google Analytics – how about a free month of advertising?

Anyone else have any fun, creative advertising outlets to share?

Dear Apple…

Lisa Jeffries Nobling on January 16, 2009

How hard would it be to give me multiple email marketing sign-up options?

Yes, I would love to receive an email once every Tuesday with new album, single, and video releases available on iTunes. However, I don’t particularly care to get three emails a week – especially when two aren’t relevant (I’m not an Oprah groupie, sorry!).

Sheez.

There’s another email list I just unsubscribed from.

Finally!

Lisa Jeffries Nobling on January 5, 2009

One of the major drawbacks of having a Windows Live Workspace has finally been eliminated: the (in)ability to connect with a Blackberry!

I personally am tech-savvy enough that I don’t require the assistance of Windows Live to update my website or check my email, but its super easy to navigate interface and the capability of accessing your entire account (email, contacts, documents, website, etc.) from anywhere in the world with an internet connection is perfect for my dad and other users of our corporate account.

Obviously, you can imagine my excitement when I went to Nextel.Blackberry.com and entered my corporate email addy and password (just out of curiosity, to see if the two finally decided to be friendly) and voila – I was instantly configured and received a “success” message on my device.

Way to go guys!!!

PS – There is still one drawback on the Blackberry side of things… the (insert your service provider here).Blackberry.com manager doesn’t work with Firefox. LAME! I hate having to switch to IE to change my email signature. Maybe they’ll stumble across this blog and fix that 🙂