Comments for A Few Strong Words... http://www.grahamstrong.com/blog Freelance. Writing. Life. Sat, 13 Mar 2010 14:15:21 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 Comment on What is Creativity? by Linda Naiman http://www.grahamstrong.com/blog/what-is-creativity/#comment-5790 Linda Naiman Sun, 21 Jun 2009 04:28:21 +0000 http://www.grahamstrong.com/blog/what-is-creativity/#comment-5790 Lovely reflections on creativity. Thanks for posting Lovely reflections on creativity. Thanks for posting

]]> Comment on Bloggers: Use “Open in New Window” Feature for Links by John Soares http://www.grahamstrong.com/blog/bloggers-use-open-in-new-window-feature-for-links/#comment-3707 John Soares Thu, 16 Apr 2009 14:38:32 +0000 http://www.grahamstrong.com/blog/bloggers-use-open-in-new-window-feature-for-links/#comment-3707 Excellent point Graham. I think it's also important to not have too many links to other sites in your blog post; otherwise your readers are too easily led away from your site. I only include the most important external links in my blog posts. Excellent point Graham. I think it’s also important to not have too many links to other sites in your blog post; otherwise your readers are too easily led away from your site.

I only include the most important external links in my blog posts.

]]> Comment on 3 Things To Do When A Client Hates Your Writing by Max the Micro Niche Finder http://www.grahamstrong.com/blog/3-things-to-do-when-a-client-hates-your-writing/#comment-2946 Max the Micro Niche Finder Tue, 24 Mar 2009 06:58:46 +0000 http://www.grahamstrong.com/blog/3-things-to-do-when-a-client-hates-your-writing/#comment-2946 Hiya, i have seen your site when searching a few weeks ago and i really love the design! I just bought a new 3 character domain (cost me a packet) for a niche review blog, and i was wondering if your design is a free or paid one? I'm new to Wordpress and about to set it up, and i would really like to get something with a similar look to yours. Any ideas where i could download or buy something similar? Thanks for your help! :) Hiya, i have seen your site when searching a few weeks ago and i really love the design! I just bought a new 3 character domain (cost me a packet) for a niche review blog, and i was wondering if your design is a free or paid one? I’m new to Wordpress and about to set it up, and i would really like to get something with a similar look to yours. Any ideas where i could download or buy something similar? Thanks for your help! :)

]]> Comment on Creative Ads: Folgers by Graham http://www.grahamstrong.com/blog/creative-ads-folgers/#comment-2647 Graham Mon, 09 Mar 2009 11:56:29 +0000 http://www.grahamstrong.com/blog/creative-ads-folgers/#comment-2647 Hey Anlina, Great to see another TBayer here! I would have to think that for the amount of money they put into this campaign that yes, it did work. The only expenses were a vinyl sticker and the ad agency's time -- and here we are two years later still talking about it. On the spot, the ad wouldn't smell too attractive. But the power of this ad is that it went viral on the Internet, so no need to worry about the smell. You're right though, Folgers isn't my cup of tea either (I buy my Tim Horton's in the can). I'd be very surprised if this one didn't have a high ROI. Thanks for dropping by! ~Graham Hey Anlina,

Great to see another TBayer here!

I would have to think that for the amount of money they put into this campaign that yes, it did work. The only expenses were a vinyl sticker and the ad agency’s time — and here we are two years later still talking about it. On the spot, the ad wouldn’t smell too attractive. But the power of this ad is that it went viral on the Internet, so no need to worry about the smell.

You’re right though, Folgers isn’t my cup of tea either (I buy my Tim Horton’s in the can). I’d be very surprised if this one didn’t have a high ROI.

Thanks for dropping by!

~Graham

]]> Comment on Creative Ads: Folgers by Anlina Sheng http://www.grahamstrong.com/blog/creative-ads-folgers/#comment-2581 Anlina Sheng Sat, 07 Mar 2009 00:57:13 +0000 http://www.grahamstrong.com/blog/creative-ads-folgers/#comment-2581 It's a really creative ad, but does it really enhance the brand? Granted, visibility is important and having people talking about your ad years later is great - keep your brand in the forefront of people's minds, right? But does this ad make me want to buy Folgers coffee? Is it going to enhance my perception of Folgers so that next time I'm (hypothetically) in the store buying coffee I'll be more inclined to try Folgers? As a hypothetical Folgers drinker, does it make me feel more confident and comfortable with Folgers as my brand of choice? Does it evoke positive associations and thoughts of appealing flavour or aroma in my mind? I'd have to say no. I've noticed a lot of unique ad campaigns are high on creativity and novelty but fall short of delivering an effective message. Does it matter if people are talking about your ad two years later, if that ad conflates your brand with the sweet smell of the sewers? Great blog by the way - I came across your comments at Men With Pens blog and was surprised to discover that you're also from Thunder Bay (small world!) Anlina It’s a really creative ad, but does it really enhance the brand? Granted, visibility is important and having people talking about your ad years later is great - keep your brand in the forefront of people’s minds, right?

But does this ad make me want to buy Folgers coffee? Is it going to enhance my perception of Folgers so that next time I’m (hypothetically) in the store buying coffee I’ll be more inclined to try Folgers? As a hypothetical Folgers drinker, does it make me feel more confident and comfortable with Folgers as my brand of choice? Does it evoke positive associations and thoughts of appealing flavour or aroma in my mind? I’d have to say no.

I’ve noticed a lot of unique ad campaigns are high on creativity and novelty but fall short of delivering an effective message. Does it matter if people are talking about your ad two years later, if that ad conflates your brand with the sweet smell of the sewers?

Great blog by the way - I came across your comments at Men With Pens blog and was surprised to discover that you’re also from Thunder Bay (small world!)

Anlina

]]> Comment on 5 Steps To Better Brainstorming for the Intrepid Freelancer and Independent Business Owner by Graham http://www.grahamstrong.com/blog/5-steps-to-better-brainstorming-for-the-intrepid-freelancer-and-independent-business-owner/#comment-2344 Graham Fri, 20 Feb 2009 19:17:08 +0000 http://www.grahamstrong.com/blog/5-steps-to-better-brainstorming-for-the-intrepid-freelancer-and-independent-business-owner/#comment-2344 @ Devon -- How did I miss your comment? Yes, those flashes before your eyes make for great inspiration. Unfortunately, they come and go as they please. Sometimes you have to cajole the Muse a bit with a few little tricks like these. @ Cath - I used to think that if I couldn't remember the idea before I found a piece of paper, it wasn't worth remembering anyway. Now that it happens more and more, I've faced with the reality that either (a) my memory is declining or (b) my creativity is. Much as I hate to forget things, I'd much rather the former than the latter... ~Graham @ Devon — How did I miss your comment? Yes, those flashes before your eyes make for great inspiration. Unfortunately, they come and go as they please. Sometimes you have to cajole the Muse a bit with a few little tricks like these.

@ Cath - I used to think that if I couldn’t remember the idea before I found a piece of paper, it wasn’t worth remembering anyway. Now that it happens more and more, I’ve faced with the reality that either (a) my memory is declining or (b) my creativity is. Much as I hate to forget things, I’d much rather the former than the latter…

~Graham

]]> Comment on 5 Steps To Better Brainstorming for the Intrepid Freelancer and Independent Business Owner by Cath Lawson http://www.grahamstrong.com/blog/5-steps-to-better-brainstorming-for-the-intrepid-freelancer-and-independent-business-owner/#comment-2337 Cath Lawson Fri, 20 Feb 2009 04:28:06 +0000 http://www.grahamstrong.com/blog/5-steps-to-better-brainstorming-for-the-intrepid-freelancer-and-independent-business-owner/#comment-2337 Hi Graham - these are brilliant tips. I like the idea of using the thesaurus. Like Devon, I seem to get the best ideas in the bath, or when I'm driving. I still haven't come up with a decent way to write them down when I'm doing either though. Hi Graham - these are brilliant tips. I like the idea of using the thesaurus. Like Devon, I seem to get the best ideas in the bath, or when I’m driving. I still haven’t come up with a decent way to write them down when I’m doing either though.

]]> Comment on Do You Really Know What Your Goals Are? by Devon Ellington http://www.grahamstrong.com/blog/do-you-really-know-what-your-goals-are/#comment-2008 Devon Ellington Thu, 29 Jan 2009 17:28:25 +0000 http://www.grahamstrong.com/blog/do-you-really-know-what-your-goals-are/#comment-2008 Too often freelancers forget that creating our schedules THE WAY THAT SUITS US BEST is one of the reasons we freelance in the first place. I see it time and time again -- people leave 9-5 and build themselves the same prison. Create the schedule that works for YOU. Another thing I've discovered (mostly through falling on my butt a lot), is that goals need to be flexible enough to mutate as life throws unexpected curve balls. Some of the things you set as goals at the top of the year may lose importance as you evolve during the year. Releasing something that doesn't work isn't a failure -- it's a victory. Just because it was on a list somewhere doesn't mean it has to stay there. <em>Devon Ellington's last blog post..<a href='http://devonellington.wordpress.com/2009/01/29/thursday-january-29-2009/' rel="nofollow">Thursday, January 29, 2009</a></em> Too often freelancers forget that creating our schedules THE WAY THAT SUITS US BEST is one of the reasons we freelance in the first place. I see it time and time again — people leave 9-5 and build themselves the same prison.

Create the schedule that works for YOU.

Another thing I’ve discovered (mostly through falling on my butt a lot), is that goals need to be flexible enough to mutate as life throws unexpected curve balls. Some of the things you set as goals at the top of the year may lose importance as you evolve during the year.

Releasing something that doesn’t work isn’t a failure — it’s a victory. Just because it was on a list somewhere doesn’t mean it has to stay there.

Devon Ellington’s last blog post..Thursday, January 29, 2009

]]> Comment on 5 Steps To Better Brainstorming for the Intrepid Freelancer and Independent Business Owner by Devon Ellington http://www.grahamstrong.com/blog/5-steps-to-better-brainstorming-for-the-intrepid-freelancer-and-independent-business-owner/#comment-2007 Devon Ellington Thu, 29 Jan 2009 17:22:46 +0000 http://www.grahamstrong.com/blog/5-steps-to-better-brainstorming-for-the-intrepid-freelancer-and-independent-business-owner/#comment-2007 I love Roget's -- one of my best brainstorming buddies. Also, I find when I'm stuck, I often get my flashes of inspiration in the shower! <em>Devon Ellington's last blog post..<a href='http://devonellington.wordpress.com/2009/01/29/thursday-january-29-2009/' rel="nofollow">Thursday, January 29, 2009</a></em> I love Roget’s — one of my best brainstorming buddies.

Also, I find when I’m stuck, I often get my flashes of inspiration in the shower!

Devon Ellington’s last blog post..Thursday, January 29, 2009

]]> Comment on Can Your Own Customer Stories Help You Sell More? by Graham http://www.grahamstrong.com/blog/can-your-own-customer-stories-help-you-sell-more/#comment-1963 Graham Thu, 22 Jan 2009 20:45:07 +0000 http://www.grahamstrong.com/blog/can-your-own-customer-stories-help-you-sell-more/#comment-1963 Hi Casey, Just a minor little thing in what is overall a very good book. I agree that two versions would be the best route -- especially when many of them are now PDF versions instead of printed copies. The cost to make two versions is basically nothing! ~Graham Hi Casey,

Just a minor little thing in what is overall a very good book. I agree that two versions would be the best route — especially when many of them are now PDF versions instead of printed copies. The cost to make two versions is basically nothing!

~Graham

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