Bob Cargill, Author at Bob Cargill

21Nov 2005 by Bob Cargill

Michael Gilbert on Nonprofits and Weblogs

In a brilliant, new article on Nonprofits and Weblogs appearing recently in Nonprofit Online News, Michael Gilbert covers the gamut, from how long he’s been blogging (“longer than anyone else online except for Dave Winer…”), to the cost of publishing his own blog (“90% of the ongoing cost of publishing this blog is my own cost of staying informed and reflecting on what I learn…”), to what motivates him to blog (“it’s the sense of connection that keeps me motivated…”), to much, much more. About nonprofit blogging specifically, Gilbert writes: “In my communication workshops, I still find that nearly every nonprofit organization is rather afraid of the idea of blogging. It's threatening to them to have their staff blogging, it's too much work to have their leaders blogging, and it…

16Nov 2005 by Bob Cargill

Nonprofit Technology Advice from Deborah Elizabeth Finn

Direct Marketing, Fundraising

Boston-based Deborah Elizabeth Finn, nonprofit technology consultant and self-proclaimed cyber-yenta, says there are “Ten Things (Just Ten!) That Every Nonprofit Executive Needs to Know About Information Technology” -- and she tells you what they are on her blog. It’s a thoughtful, comprehensive list, one that would probably be just as invaluable to a number of commercial enterprises as well. On her blog, Technology for the Nonprofit and Philanthropic Sector, Finn takes the time to elaborate on each of her points, so after you’ve scanned the list below, make sure to read the full article. “Ten Things (Just Ten!) That Every Nonprofit Executive Needs to Know About Information Technology” by Deborah Elizabeth Finn 1. Very little technical knowledge is required in order for nonprofit CEOs to participate actively in strategic IT…

10Nov 2005 by Bob Cargill

Grey Direct’s Lawrence Kimmel Rallies Direct Marketers

Advertising, Direct Marketing, Marketing

Kudos to Lawrence M. Kimmel, chairman and CEO of Grey Direct, for speaking his mind and rallying the direct marketing troops to stand up and be counted – post haste. “I’m frustrated,” writes Kimmel in the November 7 edition of DM News. “As direct marketers, this is our moment to shine. The world of advertising is in radical transformation. The pillars of the ad business -- 30-second commercials, radio advertising, magazines, newspapers and even direct mail -- are losing their effectiveness. Viewership, readership and response rates are declining while costs continue to rise. Consumers are rejecting conventional intrusion advertising en mass and gravitating to inclusion advertising: keyword search, e-mail marketing, targeted online communications. Marketers are demanding greater accountability and better ROI.” “Yet it doesn't seem as if direct marketers are…

07Nov 2005 by Bob Cargill

The Virtual Handshake

Blogging, Marketing, Public Relations

As an inveterate blogger (43,000 words and counting), I'm asked all the time why I blog and what I get out of it. For me, the reasons are countless, not the least of which it’s an easy, natural way for me to share my knowledge and experience as a direct marketer and to develop new, mutually-beneficial relationships in the online arena. Yes, a blog is as much a powerful, self-publishing platform as it is a valuable virtual networking tool. It’s just one of many new forms of “social software” (e.g., LinkedIn, Meetup, MySpace, Ryze, etc.) that have emerged in the new millennium and – like it or not – promise to change the way you conduct business forever. With that said, it would be in any business professional’s best interests…

03Nov 2005 by Bob Cargill

Blogging Workshop in Boston for “Smart Arts Marketers”

Blogging, Direct Marketing, Fundraising

Forgive the short notice, but if you’re in Boston on November 9 and can spare the afternoon, there’s a blogging 101 workshop for "smart arts marketers" taking place at The Pilot House on Lewis Wharf. Presented by Bill Cass – Director of Internet Marketing Strategies at Backbone Media, President of the Boston chapter of the American Marketing Association and a blogger himself – this workshop promises to help you “gain insight into how blogs can benefit your organization and learn strategies to develop and manage a successful blog.” In addition to Cass, the workshop will also feature a panel discussion and Q&A with the following: *Bill Marx, Arts Critic and Editor of WBUR Online Arts *Steve Garfield, The Paul Revere of Videoblogging,” SteveGarfield.com *Jack Wright, Director of Public Relations, Bank…

31Oct 2005 by Bob Cargill

Running the Boston Marathon for Children’s Hospital Boston — and Hailey

Boston Marathon, Cause-Related Marketing, Direct Marketing, Fundraising

Less than six months from now, on April 17, 2006, I’ll be pounding the pavement once again from Hopkinton to Boston, determinedly putting one foot in front of another for more than 26 long, arduous miles. It’ll be the 8th time I’ve taken the same exhausting journey. And I’ll be tired and sore most of the way. But as I’ve said before, it doesn’t get any better than crossing the finish line of what is arguably the most prestigious road race in the world, the Boston Marathon. I’ve enjoyed running since I was just a little boy, so for me, running Boston is still the thrill of a lifetime, a childhood dream come remarkably true. I’m lucky, though. Some children’s dreams are mercilessly dashed due to dread, debilitating diseases and…

25Oct 2005 by Bob Cargill

NEDMA ’06 Issues its Call for Speakers

Direct Marketing

The New England Direct Marketing Association has just issued its Call for Speakers for NEDMA ’06: It’s a Brave New World, a conference and exposition to be held on June 14-15, 2006, at the Bentley College campus center in Waltham, Massachusetts. Interested parties are invited to submit their proposals no later than November 23 if they want to be involved in what promises to serve as an extraordinary direct marketing “think tank” for all of New England and beyond.” “Help your fellow direct marketers get connected to the future,” says Craig Blake, vice president of the association and chair of the conference, in his official Call for Speakers. “Demonstrate how you have created this brave new world by re-constructing the old ways...innovating new technology and techniques...merging direct marketing with other…

21Oct 2005 by Bob Cargill

Goodbye Web Site, Hello Blog

Blogging, Marketing

Thanks to noted corporate blog strategist, B.L. Ochman, I recently caught wind of yet another smart organization that's shed its Web site entirely and instead staked a claim in the blogosphere. Union Square Ventures, an early stage venture capital firm, turned its site into a blog because, as they say, “We realized that our thesis evolves incrementally as a result of our dialogue with the market, and that the best way to manage that was to accept that we would never get to an answer, so we should just publish the conversation. The best way to do that is with a blog...” Good for them. And good for those of us already here in the blogosphere who have had to be so patient with the naysayers and uninformed, knowing that…

14Oct 2005 by Bob Cargill

Two DM Trade Publications Launch New Blogs

Blogging, Direct Marketing

It was inevitable that both DIRECT and DM News would eventually establish a presence in the blogosphere, but what’s the chance of two of my favorite trade publications launching their own respective blogs just days apart? As a dyed-in-the-wool direct marketer who just so happens to write a blog, I can’t help but be beside myself. Yes, as if it wasn’t exciting enough to see that DIRECT was finally blogging on Wednesday, I almost fell off my chair when less than 24 hours later DM News announced that its blog was now “open for business.” Of course, the near simultaneous debut of these two blogs is more than just a coincidence. Both promise to provide extensive, live coverage of DMA.05, The Direct Marketing Association’s Conference & Exhibition taking place this…