Archive for Creativity
Would You Pay $5 million for a Headline?
Posted by: | CommentsOf course not. But the headline got your attention, which is what headlines are supposed to do. But get the headline wrong, and you’ve lost an opportunity to gain a new reader or customer.
Your Grabber
Your headline is your grabber, but it doesn’t work for a new hair salon in my neighborhood. Here is a sign outside the shop advertising “Blow Dry $50″ that is designed to lure in customers.
But the headline is all wrong. Read More→
Death by Planning Too Much
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As the end of the year approaches you may be among the many who are struggling over their 2013 business plans. How can I increase revenue and profitability, build a more successful career, increase my presence on social media and (fill in the blank).
To all of you I say, relax and don’t sweat it.
Stop Planning and Start Acting
I attended a seminar a number of years ago to hear a career coach talk about how to build your career. She said something that stopped me in my tracks and I’m reminded of it every time I start a planning cycle. Read More→
Why Can’t Graphic Designers and Their Clients Ever Agree?
Posted by: | CommentsI decided to ask designer and blogging buddy, Dennis Salvatier, this question — having worked with many designers over the years. Here is our conversation.
Jeannette: I’ve worked with many graphic designers over the years. These are designers whose work I’ve really admired. Strangely, though, when working on a project, some designers do not seem to grasp that the objective of the work is usually to sell a product or service. Sometimes, they fall in love with a design and try to sell it to the client even if doesn’t work.
By the way, I love my company logo design and masthead. A designer with whom I’ve worked on other projects created it. And I love your work, Dennis. But why is there this disconnect between design studios and their clients?
Dennis being playful
Dennis: Thanks, Jeannette. The biggest problem with the client/designer relationship is that there is rarely a conversation about the relationship itself. Roles need to be defined before any work is done and that is the responsibility of the designer.
A good designer starts the conversation, but a great designer provides a design brief. This is a short questionnaire that includes questions about the brand, competitors, target market, budget and goals. Read More→
Lucky to Be Alive and Blogging
Posted by: | CommentsA few posts ago I wrote about an infographic from copyblogger that listed 20 ways to find inspiration for your next blog post when you don’t have a clue what to write. I don’t ordinarily publish a blog late on a Saturday night. But I’d like to add a 21st idea that I’ll reveal momentarily.
The weather has been gorgeous in New York and those of us who live here have heaved a sigh of relief that we had such a mild winter compared to last year’s piles of snow and freezing temperatures. I took a long walk and when I entered my apartment lobby I was enchanted by the vase of flowers — they are changed every week. I took out my iPhone and snapped a photo. Of course, if I lived in the ‘burbs the image would be of a flower bed in my back yard. But this bouquet is inspiration enough for me.
So tip number 21: blog about something that makes you happy.
