DISQUS

I found this post very helpful. I've been thinking about converting my business email to gmail, mainly for the reasons you mention. But people tell me a gmail account looks unprofessional. Any opinion?

These questions are not as simple as they seem--each one could lead to days of discussion. I like the idea of boiling down the product, etc., to three words. That's a great way to turn a vague idea into a really powerful identity.

I like the new look. Cleaner, easier to read, more professional.

LOVE the Seinfeld reference. Every episode contains valuable life lessons like this one. It's interesting that George achieves success when he finally aligns his goals with his strengths; that is, when he comes up with the idea for "a show about nothing". :) Great blog!

Great selection of articles! Extremely helpful.

We used to call this one-way sales approach an "info-dump". In my experience, it was not effective at all in B2B. Only extremely analytical people reach a buying decision by poring over spreadsheets of comparative product features. The only exception I can think of is if you have a product feature so revolutionary, so captivating, and so broad in appeal that people will stand in line to hear you sing its praises.

I sense frustration. Understandable. What frustrates me it this. People criticize the administration for every move they make with regard to fighting terrorism. Yet they offer no solutions, no suggestions, no plans, no ideas, no tactics, no strategy. And they voice these criticisms loudly, disrespectfully, and quite often, hysterically. Anyhow, soon the Republicans will be ousted from power. If our terrorism problems immediately disappear, I will take all of this back, and gladly. :)

Hi Michael, One place that's been using "free" the right way lately is Starbuck's. A few days ago they gave me a coupon for a free drink if I filled out an online survey. Next day--free cup of coffee. Then, a few days later, they gave me a coupon that profiled the South American grower who supplies their House Blend beans offered a free cup of it. Next day--free cup of coffee. Easy. Fast. Simple. Genuine.

They say that "free" is the most persuasive word in advertising. That may well be true. Everybody is looking for a deal. But "free" can also arouse suspicion. Personally, I don't mind a cheesy come-on PROVIDED there is underlying value in the product or service. But I know a lot of people who can't get past the style of the message. They are wary of being sold. In your Netflix example, I'll bet a lot of people would see all these "FREE"'s and immediately conclude, "There must be a catch." Into the trash it goes.

Here here! Along those lines, it was good to see the stock market go up yesterday.

A more difficult situation there could not be. The hostilities and hatreds run so far and so deep--who can sort it out? But it's hard for me to see how anyone can sympathize with organizations who target innocent people in the pursuit of some political (let alone religious!) desire. It mystifies me how some people can equate Hezbollah's tactics with Israel's.

Excellent advice, especially the points about seeking out mentors and SEO. You're probably right about staying on topic, but I like the freewheeling approach for some reason. BTW, I think "immortal" was a typo--you must have meant "immoral" or "abnormal". :)