12Aug 2005 by Bob Cargill

Donald Trump Has a New Blog

Blogging, Direct Marketing, Fundraising, Marketing
The blog has come a long way in just the last year alone, but with Donald Trump now waxing eloquently in the blogosphere, a good argument could be made that this revolutionary self-publishing and marketing platform has gone from the outhouse to the penthouse. Read all about it here in Information Week. Elsewhere…DIRECT magazine reports that DM hiring is on the rise. The NonProfit Times issues its 8th annual Power & Influence Top 50. FundRaising Success magazine weighs in on the state of online fundraising today ("From Buttons to Blogs" by Paul Barbagallo). Bob Bly pits blogs versus white papers in his most recent reader survey. Mike Westfall, on Annual Fund Inc. (August 11, 2005), shares some best practices for e-solicitations to college and university alumni. And finally, for the…
Read More
29Jul 2005 by Bob Cargill

Why Executives Should Blog

Blogging
Many executives should consider blogging, according to Ted Demopoulos, who’s not only an expert on information security and IT entrepreneurial issues but also a – surprise, surprise – prolific blogger himself. “It [blogging] helps publicize company news as well as executive viewpoints and opinions, and adds to a company’s personality. Executives can blog extremely effectively as their thoughts are usually well regarded and trusted, and their blogs tend to get an instant large readership,” says Ted. Naturally, I couldn’t agree with him more. A blog is tailor-made for storing and managing intellectual capital. It’s a centralized repository for experience and expertise, an incredibly easy way to disseminate key, timely information to an audience of readers who are already interested in what you have to offer. While I’ll be the first…
Read More
30Jun 2005 by Bob Cargill

Yet Another Endorsement of the Corporate Blog

Blogging
“As blogs become easier to create and manage, they can be used to provide employees valuable tools to share information within their spheres of influence, such as colleagues, partners, distributors, customers and other constituents,” writes Renee Blodgett, president of Blodgett Communications and – naturally – a blogger herself, in the June 20 issue of DM News. “Blogs not only broaden your corporation’s knowledge base by tapping new content from employees, partners and customers,” adds Blodgett, “they can extend this new content to more audiences and communities, including specific topic experts who can add credibility to your product or service.” Cautions Blodgett, though: “Blogging is a great new tool to communicate to existing audiences and reach new ones, but it is critical that we don’t forget basic marketing and PR principles…
Read More
10Jun 2005 by Bob Cargill

WorldWIT’s Free Blogging Teleseminar

Blogging
Find out what the Blog hubbub is all about. That’s how an upcoming teleseminar on blogging is being promoted by WorldWIT, the leading global online and offline network for women in business and technology. According to an email sent to my friend, Erin Sheehan (of Oceanos Marketing), WorldWIT – whose CEO and Founder, Liz Ryan, just so happens to have her own blog, Business Mom – is continuing “its free teleseminar series with blogging guru and serial tech entrepreneur Derek Scruggs,” who “will share a ton of strategic-to-tactical tips on creating your blog, building an audience, generating revenue via your blog, and taking advantage of new blog-related technologies.” During this free teleseminar – which will take place at 3 PM EST on Wednesday, June 29 – you’ll also be able…
Read More
31May 2005 by Bob Cargill

A List of Nonprofit Blogs

Blogging, Direct Marketing, Fundraising
In preparing for my luncheon presentation for the Direct Marketing Fundraisers Association on Why Nonprofits Should Blog (Tuesday, June 7, 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM, at the Lenox Hotel in Boston), I have come up with a short list (below) of nonprofit organizations who have already established a presence in the blogosphere. If you’re in attendance next week (you can register here), you’ll hear me and special guest speaker, Emerson College faculty member Dr. Todd S. Gernes, offer kudos to these prescient organizations for being early adopters of an online communications platform that will likely have been put into play by more nonprofits than not come this time next year. Nonprofit Blogs Greenpeace Action Without Borders The Sierra Club The Nonprofit and Foundation Advocacy Blog The South-East Asia Earthquake and…
Read More
15May 2005 by Bob Cargill 6 Comments

Top 6 Tips for Blog Design

Blogging
While waiting to unveil my blog's new look and feel, I can't help but think there's no better time than now to talk about good blog design. But, of course, that's more Lisa Sabin's bailiwick than mine. Owner and founder of E.Webscapes, Lisa's services include blog and Web site design, maintenance and hosting. I'm glad to comment on blog strategies and content development, but when it comes to the layout, functionality and actual installation of such a newfangled, Web-based, self-publishing platform, I defer to Lisa. So without further ado, here's what she has to say: Top 6 Tips for Blog Design by Lisa L. Sabin Owner/Founder of E.Webscapes 1. Don't underestimate the power of your blog's logo. Site branding is popular terminology that basically means just what it says --…
Read More
09May 2005 by Bob Cargill No Comments

A New Marketing Commentator

Blogging
After 15 months and some 33,000 words, A Fine Kettle of Fish is finally getting a makeover. That's right, in just a few days my blog will have a brand, new look and feel (thanks to Lisa Sabin of E.Webscapes), not to mention a number of bells and whistles that are long overdue. Call it a redesign. Call it a relaunch. Call it A New Marketing Commentator. Yes, I’m even giving it a new name. While it’ll still be comprised of insightful, candid commentaries on direct marketing and advertising trends, developments, topics and issues, this second incarnation of my blog will not only be more visually engaging, but it will also incorporate the functionality of some of today’s most sophisticated blogs. See for yourself. Come back soon. It should be…
Read More
04May 2005 by Bob Cargill No Comments

Why Nonprofits Should Blog

Blogging, Fundraising
A few months ago, I read an article in The NonProfit Times suggesting that most nonprofit organizations don't collect enough feedback from their constituents. I couldn't have agreed more, and said as much in a letter to the editor of the publication. It's as clear as the day is light that many organizations, nonprofit and commercial alike, don't engage openly enough with the marketplace because they're reluctant to leave themselves exposed to the possibility of negative comments and criticism. By not even attempting to close the loop, however, they don't know what people really think about their services, products, mission and values. By keeping their donors and customers at arm's length, they're fostering relationships that, in effect, can't possibly live up to their full potential. ...which is one very big…
Read More
25Mar 2005 by Bob Cargill No Comments

Marketing Miscellany III

Blogging, Direct Marketing
If you haven't gotten around to it yet, don't hesitate any longer to pick up a copy of The New Marketing Conversation: Creating and Strengthening Relationships Between Buyers and Sellers. Written by Donna Baier-Stein and Alexandra MacAaron, both past presidents of the New England Direct Marketing Association (NEDMA), it’s a comprehensive model for marketing in the new millennium, an indispensable guide for anyone selling, well, anything.Speaking of NEDMA, those who attended the association’s 26th Annual Paul Butterworth Copywriting Seminar the other night in Boston heard from a trio of illustrious direct marketers, all previous winners of the New England Direct Marketer of the Year award – Steven Tharler (Tharler/Opper), Nancy Harhut (Hill, Holliday) and Tracy Emerick (Taurus Direct Marketing). This free seminar – named after the late, great copywriter whose…
Read More