Healthy Treats and an Indulgent Watch: Ads Reviewed

Cream of Wheat Cinnabon

This ad worked on me. The rarity of me eating white bread is one thing, the chance that I’d eat an entire Cinnabon, not likely. But I do have a sweet tooth and I do remember how cinnful they are. I even saved the coupon that was below this ad. (Though I’m more likely to add the cinnamon to my bowl of hot cereal all by myself.) I also noticed the social media icons on this ad along with the website.

Cranberry Juice vs. V8

Interesting comparison. To me the deciding factors would be sugar versus salt. Which does the shopper view as the lesser of two evils? The issue raised here, however, is calories. Half the calories and two servings of veggies? Yup, they found a good copywriter for this one.

Ulysse Nardin

This watch ad I found to be very aesthetically pleasing. I bet it looks better here than in person. Notice the leather wristband. I’m all for leather cuff bracelets, but a watch band should be metal (in my humble opinion). Especially one that you’re paying a few bucks for. Self-winding and moon phases are two of the features mentioned.

As always, if you have an ad you'd like me to review, please link to it in the comments or email it to terra(at)fletcherfreelance(dot)com.

30 Marketing Experts to Watch

These marketing experts really hit the mark. Yes, I realize it may not be practical to follow 30 marketing experts, but from this list you should be able to find at least a few that you really like – and that’s what’s important. I’ve divided them by where I follow them, although most can be found on multiple networks.

Blogs

1.      Directory Journal’s Search and Social Media

2.      Fluent Self – motivational

3.      22Michaels.com – marketing articles written by an entrepreneur (shoe store owner)

4.      Adsoftheworld.com – very visual view of new ads

5.      Dailyblogtips.com

6.      Guerrilla Communication Blog

7.      Brian Solis – technology, culture, business

Twitter

8.      Jennifer Mattern – blogger, business writer

9.      Pete Cashmore - @mashable, enough said

10.  Chris Brogan – social media blogger

11.  Julien Smith – coauthor with Chris Brogan of Trust Agents

12.  Liana Evans – social media marketing expert

13.  SocialMedia Revolver – tips for SMM

14.  Direct Marketing News

Facebook

15.  Wildfire Interactive – for SMM

16.  Duct Tape Marketing – for small business

17.  imFORZA – web design and internet marketing

18.  Mirror Communications

19.  Prime Social Marketing

20.  Marketing Savant

21.  TMA E-Marketing

Google +

22.  Jason Falls - Social Media Explorer

23.  Ann Smarty – My Blog Guest

24.  Google + for Business

25.  Rand Fishkin – SEOmoz

Pinterest

26.  Penny Sansevieri – author marketing expert

27.  Isabelle Duarte – follow her marketing infographics

28.  Sara Wingfield – PS Web Design, boards for infographics, brochures, branding, etc.

29.  Lori Randall Stradtman – social media humor, online reputation management

30.  If you made it all the way through this list, congratulations! Reward yourself by following me on Twitter @TerraLFletcher, Facebook.com/FletcherFreelance, LinkedIn and my blog.

Why Facebook WON’T Help Your Business

Yes, you read that correctly. This article is about why Facebook won’t help your business. I’ve been meaning to write this blog since I wrote, Why Twitter Won’t Help Your Business. And many of the reasons are the same. 

Overpopularity, Noise, and Content

There’s just too much noise. It’s hard to sort between the useless “I’m just getting out of the shower” and “I’m having an omelet for breakfast” and actual useful morsels. Because so many Facebookers update from their phones the site is becoming even more bogged down. No one cares about the mundane details of your daily life! (Or maybe that’s just me. I guess if you like reality TV and wouldn’t mind reading it instead of hearing it…)

Many businesses believe that Facebook is just about the numbers. It’s all a competition to see who can get the most likes. In my world, it is quality that counts, not quantity. Everyone knows that the closer you get to your target market, the higher your conversion rate will be. Why waste your time broadcasting to the world when you could be having smaller conversations at a deeper level?

Popularity is a double edged sword. When something is really popular, it isn’t cool anymore. Facebookers have a tendency to assume that everyone reads their every post. This can result in a faulty, inflated sense of self. People also forget that it is quite possible that everybody did read their post (reminder, check your privacy and security settings). So, you thought you were having a conversation with a couple of close friends? Nope, I read about it, too.

Time Waster

Let’s not even discuss the time waste factor. There is a huge learning curve and Facebook is always changing. Many marketers will tell you that most of the network’s changes are not in favor of business pages and marketers.

You can have success with Facebook. Anyone who knows me understands that I’m a firm believer in the power of Facebook for business. Just ease into it, get to know the pace and rhythm. Learn the rules, written and otherwise. You have to use the tool properly for it to work for your business. The more powerful a tool the higher the risks.

If you have found success marketing your business on Facebook, I’d be happy to hear how you did in the comments below.

Stay connected to Fletcher Freelance by liking our business page, following us on Twitter, or sign up for the Marketing Monthly newsletter (over there -->).

Silk, Pert not a Plus, and WWF: March 2012 Ads Reviewed by Terra L. Fletcher

“Stop switching your cereal. Start switching your milk.” This ad by Silk captured my attention. We’ve all seen the cereal campaigns promising weight loss and lower cholesterol, etc. This marketing piece simplifies the issue. How much easier to switch your milk then give up your sugary breakfast cereal? The ad implies you can still eat what you want as long as it’s floating in silk. Had I been the copywriter I would’ve switched the wording a little. “Start switching your milk,” doesn’t have the ease it should. I would’ve written, “Stop switching your cereal. Switch your milk.” I think that would make it clear this is a one-time change.

This ad by Pert surely caught my attention, but it left my feeling a little dirty. My son, no matter how dirty, is not a pig. As a mother and the household’s designated shopper, this ad was probably directed precisely to me. It doesn’t work. I don’t like the content, “Let’s face it, kids come in one flavor: Dirty.” Are you kidding me? And, “It’s the best way to keep them from looking like they live in a barn.” Wow, just wow. How condescending. Is this fear marketing? If I don’t get Pert for my kids, people will think we live in a barn? I will NEVER buy this product.

I have to hand it to the World Wildlife Fund; this ad has a lot going for it. It came out at a time when a lot of people are thinking about giving something up. It addresses the fact that the challenge won’t be easy. It’s simple, attractive, to the point. I’ll be marking my calendar for March 31, 2012. Also, an interesting call to action. The ad lists YouTube as a primary call to action, not even the main WWF website is listed. This is a very focused initiative. 

Please share your thoughts below. Have an ad you'd like Terra to review? Email it to terra(at)fletcherfreelance(dot)com.