Great marketing is more than just a bunch of fancy words strung together (if it were that simple, I could write “tuxedo lucrative jubilee” and you’d be sold).
But I understand. The desire to write “good marketing copy” can get in the way of clear, logical messages.
This two-minute video offers one bad example and a suggestion for doing things better.
Click below to watch… (Move slider at bottom of video to adjust volume!)
Hi Michael:
I hope is well with you and your family.
Very good video — cut the blah, blah, and make sense of what you say. I have to work hard on that every day. Blah-Blah comes naturally, but making sense takes effort.
Take care,
Mart.
Hello Martin! Family is great, I hope yours is as well.
And yes, blah blah does seem to come naturally to all of us (why is that?). Here’s to making sense!
Michael
Tuxedo lucrative jubilee? Count me in!
Excellent. I will pick you up at 8. (Wear the diamonds.)
Every time I sit down to update my website (my landing page is like a mini-newsletter) or an actual e-newsletter, I hear your voice (louder than the other ones in my head! LOL) reminding me to forget the baffle-gab and to speak like myself. I try to let people know a little bit (or maybe too much sometimes) about who I am. I’m not the biggest producer, but I want to be the best producer! I’ve gotten more calls from my website than any other kind of advertising, so it must be working a little bit! Thanks for the updates and advice! Laura.
So glad it’s working so well for you, Laura! (Love “baffle-gab”)
I like how you put it. Many times working with clients can sound like a mash-up of phrases they like. And I suppose in some small way I have been guilty of that a time or two myself. The cure for me is to first recognize which phrases, ideas and concepts I particularly like and then test them with other peoples opinions… and listen to them. The second part is the hardest.
I agree on the mash-up thing, Scott. People (and in particular, companies) seem to latch onto a few farvorites and they lose their meaning, or at least freshness.
Michael
Hi Michael,
That’s sound advice (pun totally intended). I certainly find that in my quest to create relevant text the first dozen attempts are less than straightforward. I outsmart myself more than I care to admit. Keeping the old KISS principle in mind is helpful too. I’ll try to follow your advice as I work to redevelop my site.
Hope all is well. I always enjoy what you share with your readers. Eric
Glad it was on target today, Eric! Believe me, I think I did today’s segment as much for me as anyone else. Always important as a reminder to KISS!
Michael
Michael – I am still laughing. It is hard to kill your creative children when the concept is soooooo good, but it doesn’t fit your brand, product or message. Or make sense.
I know what you mean, Linda! Those snappy ideas are very attractive, sensible or not.
No website…yet….Thank you for making me smile after a day of work and reminding me that we should always, always stay mindful of meaning.
My pleasure, Anne, making you smile is most of the reason I do this!
Michael
Hi Michael! I hit the rewind button twice just to hear you say “blah blah” a couple more times. Love it! Thanks for another great e-newsletter–short, sweet, and totally relevant. 🙂
Call me up, Wendy and I’ll say it a few more times.
One word – Excellent! 🙂
Two words – thank you!
I’m so glad to hear that, KIm. Trying to keep it short and fun!
I was very relieved to read that no penguins were harmed in the production of your website! I wish I could say the same about my penguin jacket.
I believe they call that, “Penguin-sploitation,” Rubin.