1.    KISS
Keep it short and simple! This is what KISS means. It is a very basic rule in communication. Consumers do not like to read long texts. They must understand your message in 5 seconds.

2.    Do not sell the product, sell its benefits
Most ads are simply descriptive, they explain what the product or service is about.
Example: If you drink this water you won’t be thirsty any more. This is not very unique, because water can always satisfy your thirst. A benefit could be, if you drink this water your digestion will work better or you will feel fit.

3.    Communicate to peoples basic needs
Nowadays a lot of advertisers count on the famous slogan “sex sells”. Here you’ll find Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs and see why this is:

a) Physiological Needs
Food, water, air, shelter, sex

b) Safety and Security Needs
Protection, order, stability

c) social needs
affection, friendships, belonging

d) ego needs
prestige, status, self-esteem

e) self-actualization
self-fulfillment

Advertisements help for promoting new products effectively. Nowadays there are a lot of funny and creative advertisements. Here you can see some of them. Enjoy!

Many aspire to be a writer, but how exactly do you go about becoming a freelance writer and why would a person choose this path?

The dream of writing is becoming more attainable for a larger group of people. The technological advances broadened the ways of communication between people – especially the internet has helped making writing accessible to nearly everyone. Due to this an increasing number of writers are now able to see their words published. Freelance writing might be the answer for those who haven’t been able to publish a book yet, who have lost a job and need an income, or for writers who simply want to explore the world of writing.

Why become a freelance writer?

• a freelance writer is self-employed and able to write for any publication or company
  
• fewer author’s dreams of publishing a book are becoming reality so a lot of them turn to freelance writing to fulfill their passion in writing
  
• freelance writing is a way to stay connected and up to date to the publishing world
• to stay in contact with other talented writers might help to improve your skills
• for all practical purposes it’s good that freelance writers can choose their working hours
  
• to have control over what you spend your time on can be pretty appealing
  
• how profitable the jobs are, is based on how much a freelancer chooses to work e.g. with higher pay for more articles
  
• freelance writing is so appealing because your are your own boss – this can be motivating for people who are driven, creative, goal-setters and people who won’t fail to meet deadlines
  

Nevertheless freelance writing can be a downfall for those who need a lot of guidance and another person telling them which work needs to be done, and especially when it has to be done in a project. Freelance writing is a lifestyle built around words and creativity combined with long working hours. It can be a stressful job but passionated writers are definitely proud when their work is being published.

You are a freelance writer knowing more reasons for a career like that? Do you agree with this article? Feel free to comment and leave a reply!

Article based on: www.suite101.com

Facebook, Twitter and other social media networks give companies various opportunities. But the marketing with social media platforms also bears some risks. As internetworld.de reports, the study “Next Corporate Communication” from the University of St. Gallen put out some concerns of businesses in using social media. To prove this, more than hundred interviews with company representatives, service providers and researchers were conducted.

Based on that result the three greatest sins in using social networks has been analyzed:

1. Feedback stays unused
The information from social media applications are not processed adequately. That’s because marketing departments are not manned sufficient. Thus the work of the employees is for nothing.

2. Distorted public image
Only through social media guidelines employees know what information they should spread to the outside world. Otherwise there could be a scenario in which the statements of the employees contradict the ones of the corporate communication – and that leads to counterproductive effects.

3. Losing control
Social Media is subject to certain momentum. Therefore, companies are concerned that communication content can hardly be controlled. So information can spread quickly and damage the image of the company. Companies should therefore install control mechanisms.

Many companies doubt the effect of expensive advertising banners. A U.S. study now shows that online advertising does increase sales. Two U.S. economists have analyzed the shopping behavior of 1.6 million consumers – without them knowing about it. The result of the research project “Does Retail Advertising Work?” on behalf of Yahoo: The promotional effect on consumers is positive, significant and lasting.

For the study, the researchers have worked with a major U.S. retail chain that sells its products online too. A number of consumers has been shown the retail chain advertising on Yahoo, while the control group didn’t get to see it.

Sales increases significantly thanks to online advertising

The result is impressive: users who were shown online advertising, bought significantly more at the company – and paid more than the control group. On average, these consumers spent five percent more money. Thats why the online advertising budget of the retail chain is well spent: Within four weeks the turnover was three times higher than the cost of the online advertising. Overall, the U.S. company had made seven U.S. dollars additional revenue for every dollar they’ve invested in banner and pop-ups.

Click rates unimportant
Another result of the study: It is not important whether the user clicked on the ads or not. About 22 percent of the increase was caused by users who have clicked on the banner. However the revenue was increased most significantly by the users, who had been exposed to the ads.

Advertising acts permanently
Also online advertising takes effect even beyond the Internet: Only seven percent of the positive advertising effect is attributable to the online business of the company. Most sales were made in the stores. The researchers also demonstrated that the benefit of online banners is permanently: Even four weeks after the end of the campaign, customers who had seen the advertising had purchased more.

origin: media-treff.de

Here are some amazing pictures. Which one is real and which ones are paintings? I can assure you, their all paintings. Incredible, huh?

Mostly every website has them, the 404 pages. But some of them stick out the world wide web. Here are some examples:

found on: underworldmagazines.com

The artist were only allowed to use a scissors and one sheet of paper.

If you still don’t have any idea for a calendar 2011, get some inspiration here:

found at tripwiremagazine

Business cards should have a special character, to be effective. If you don’t have any idea, how to design your business cards, here are some highly creative examples:

found on: http://www.designzzz.com/