I didn't find out about World Laughter Day until the day after (today, Monday May 8th).
Perhaps it was due to the fact that I live in Connecticut (USA) and there are not World Laughter Day festivities scheduled (or at least none listed on the World Laughter Day web site, click here.)
It sounds like a GREAT idea and I'm going to celebrate it (in my own way) today.
I encourage everyone to find something humorous in your life and treat yourself to at least 3 good laughs today.
It shouldn't be too hard.
Just take your boss for instance .... do I need to say more?
Or your kids... they do the darnedest things!
And don't get me started on signs or the way people drive! (Check out the "game" faces that people use when driving sometime. Preferrably when you are stopped at a light so you don't drive into the other lane.)
Laugh it up Fuzzball!
Wheels
Monday, May 08, 2006
Thursday, April 27, 2006
National Downshifting Week (in UK)
The BBC in the UK had an interesting article about "National Downshifting Week"!
Check it out at:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/4931760.stm
Sounds like a great idea, doesn't it!
What do you think?
Write On!
Check it out at:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/4931760.stm
National Downshifting Week celebrates the trend for taking life easier by
encouraging people to take small steps towards living a more relaxed lifestyle.
Sounds like a great idea, doesn't it!
What do you think?
Write On!
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
The Pitfalls of a Startup business
I came across an interesting topic brought to my attenion by Seth Godin in his blog that could apply to my NoteWordy Card / Art business ....
"How do you keep someone from stealing your great business idea before you can get your business off the ground?"
Before I give my opinion, here are some other blogger's opinions ...
Paul Graham's blog comments:
From The Cardboard blog:
"How do you keep someone from stealing your great business idea before you can get your business off the ground?"
Before I give my opinion, here are some other blogger's opinions ...
Paul Graham's blog comments:
As a rule, startups shouldn't worry so much about competitors, especially big
companies. Competitors are a second-order problem. Startups should worry more
about making something worth copying and less about whether someone will.
From The Cardboard blog:
Remember, good ideas without PROVEN success are nothing more than BS.
My opinion:
I must agree with Seth and Paul that most ideas are not as special as the inventor thinks. If a problem is obvious, there will be someone trying to solve it. The real key is to turn it into a business. Clearly that is the difficult part and it often involves many more parts than the inventor originally imagined .... distribution channels, financing, manufacturing, packaging and more.
On the other hand, it just makes good common sense to get as much protection for your idea as possible. If an idea is patentable and you show it to someone you could lose your rights to patent it. I highly recommend reading "Before You Quit Your Job" by Robert Kiyosaki (author of the Rich Dad, Poor Dad books). In this book he tells about how his failure to put legal "barriers" in place caused him to lose out to cheaper competitors.
As in many areas of business, there is not a simple answer. On the other hand, if you have the opportunity to get help turning your idea into reality from someone like Seth Godin, TAKE IT! It is better to take an idea to market than to protect it and never make any money.
Plus, it is more than likely that your initial idea won't be the one that will work. The second or third or 100th iteration is much more likely to work if you are learning along the way!
One last comment that I think applies comes from Hugh Macleod, who makes art on the back of business cards. When he is asked whether or not he is worried about someone copying him, he replies ... " Let them try. No one will have spent all the time I have doing it and it is unlikely that they will understand it as well as I do." (to paraphrase).
So, GO FOR IT ! Do something... even if it is wrong. If it is wrong, do something else. You will still be far ahead of the people who did nothing, but protected their idea!
Write ON!
Dave Wheeler
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
"How To Be An Early Riser" ... and Self Discipline
I came across the following blog post and found it interesting !!!
http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2005/05/how-to-become-an-early-riser-part-ii/
Steve Pavlina talks about "how to be an early riser" and I am definitely going to try out his ideas. I especially like what he says about self-discipline:
Definitely looking forward to his upcoming book !
Dave Wheeler
http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2005/05/how-to-become-an-early-riser-part-ii/
Steve Pavlina talks about "how to be an early riser" and I am definitely going to try out his ideas. I especially like what he says about self-discipline:
If you can’t get yourself out of bed when your alarm goes off, this is likely
due to a lack of self-discipline. If you have enough self-discipline, you’ll get
out of bed no matter what. Motivation can also help, but motivation is short
lived and may only last a few days. Discipline is like a muscle. The more you
build it, the more you can rely on it. Everyone has some discipline (can you
hold your breath?), but not everyone develops it. There are a lot of ways to
build discipline — I’ve written a whole chapter on this topic in my upcoming
book. But basically it comes down to taking on little challenges, conquering
them, and gradually progressing to bigger ones. It’s like progressive weight
training. As your self-discipline gets stronger, a challenge like getting out of
bed at a certain time will eventually become trivially easy. But if your
self-discipline has atrophied, it can seem an almost insurmountable hurdle.
Definitely looking forward to his upcoming book !
Dave Wheeler
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Marketing VS. NCAA Tournament .... a great analogy
Shotgun marketing blog has an interesting post that draws an interesting analogy between the NCAA [basketball] tournament and Marketing.
Click here to read it.
I would add one more analogy....
"March Madness" is what they call the exciting action provided by the NCAA basketball tournament.
"Market Madness" is the [unbridled? unrealistic?] enthusiasm brought on when you start to believe your own marketing hype.
Any other ideas ???
Click here to read it.
I would add one more analogy....
"March Madness" is what they call the exciting action provided by the NCAA basketball tournament.
"Market Madness" is the [unbridled? unrealistic?] enthusiasm brought on when you start to believe your own marketing hype.
Any other ideas ???
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
What's Important to your customers?
Seth Godin's post today (click here to read it) got me thinking.... His premise is that there is a "life cycle" of authenticity. Some things are "more authentic" than others, such as Starbucks vs. Dunkin Donuts. Click the link below to see his graph example.
http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/images/authentic.jpg
The real question though is ... what is important to your customers?
Some may value authenticity while others value consistency. (Not that the two should be mutually exclusive ... as the best companies often show us.)
Some customers value modern, cutting-edge art while others like the classics. Different things for different people.
No news there.
The key point to remember is that authenticity can make your brand STRONGER and it is usually better to have it than not. Even if "consistency is your thing", you should strive to keep it authentic! If you don't then your brand starts to dissipate and lose its cohesiveness and eventually its meaning.
What do you think? Am I nuts? Leave me a comment !
Dave Wheeler
http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/images/authentic.jpg
The real question though is ... what is important to your customers?
Some may value authenticity while others value consistency. (Not that the two should be mutually exclusive ... as the best companies often show us.)
Some customers value modern, cutting-edge art while others like the classics. Different things for different people.
No news there.
The key point to remember is that authenticity can make your brand STRONGER and it is usually better to have it than not. Even if "consistency is your thing", you should strive to keep it authentic! If you don't then your brand starts to dissipate and lose its cohesiveness and eventually its meaning.
What do you think? Am I nuts? Leave me a comment !
Dave Wheeler
Monday, February 20, 2006
Very Cool Video
I found a link to the following video on a blog called "Creating Passionate Users" by Kathy Sierra.
Here is the blog link to see her comments (click here)
Here is the link to the video (very cool stuff... sort of like Spielberg's movie, "Minority Report")
(click here for video)
I especially like the interactive lava lamp !
Write On!
Dave Wheeler
Here is the blog link to see her comments (click here)
Here is the link to the video (very cool stuff... sort of like Spielberg's movie, "Minority Report")
(click here for video)
I especially like the interactive lava lamp !
Write On!
Dave Wheeler
Friday, February 03, 2006
Thursday, February 02, 2006
Is it ART?
I gave the following speech at the WestConn Toastmasters, Wooster School Library, Danbury, CT on Wednesday, February 1, 2006.
Is it ART?
Is this art? Sure, I think everyone would say that this is “art”
Is this art? Show of hands?
Is this art?
Is this art?
Is this art?
Is this art? [see picture in post above]
How do you know what is art? Especially with non-traditional types of art?
First, let me start out with the "dictionary definition" of Art ....
"The conscious production or arrangement of sounds, colors, forms, movements, or other elements in a manner that affects the sense of beauty, specifically the production of the beautiful in a graphic or plastic medium. "
Doesn't really help much when it comes to non-traditional art, does it?
I’m going to address three common issues with non-traditional art and when I’m done, it is my goal that you will have a different perspective on what you consider “good” art !
The 3 issues are:
1) If it didn’t take long to create, then it isn’t worth much. A variation on this is, “My 3 year old daughter could do that.”
2) “I just plain don’t like it.”
3) “There’s too much garbage out there that’s not art !”
To tackle the issue of how much effort it takes, let me tell you a story about my grandfather.
Back in the early 60’s, he had an old run-down pump to provide water for his vacation cottage in NH. It always seemed to me to be held together with rubber bands and was always dying, usually when I was in the middle of my shower.
One day it died and he called up the local mechanic to fix it. The mechanic came out, looked over the pump.... took out his wrench .... and gave it a solid rap on the side. It roared back to life! My grandfather thanked him and figured since it only took him a few seconds, the bill would be small, if he even sent him a bill.
The next day, a bill from the mechanic for $35 showed up in the mail. My grandfather was furious. How could it be that much ... remember that $35 in the 60’s was like $500 now !
So he called up the mechanic and demanded and ITEMIZED bill, figuring that he would be embarrassed to itemize it or would not be able to justify his charges.
The next day, a new bill showed up with the following itemization:
Rap on the pump: $ .03
Knowing how to do it : $ 34.97
Art is the same way. Anyone can do it, but it can takes years to develop the background and skills to make the creation look effortless.
The second issue is: “I just don’t like it.”
To this I would ask, “Do you like freedom?”
The United States is a great country because we have freedom of expression. You have freedom of choice.
You don’t have to like someone else’s art, but it is in your best interest to defend everyone’s right to choose.
In addition, you also have the freedom to vote with this (show money). What you buy in many ways helps to determine what gets shown in public because if people cannot make money, they will have to do something else.
This leads me to the third issue: “There’s too much garbage art out there”
On this point, I have to agree with you. But I will add that it can actually be a good thing.
First, let me say that the internet has caused an explosion in choices.
A good example that people can relate to is books.
It used to be that there were best selling books in bookstores and if it didn’t make it to the bookstore, the odds were that you would never find it because it cost the publisher too much to get it into the store.
Now with the internet, there is what is called the “Long Tail”. This is where it costs next nothing to publish one more book and sell it on Amazon. Since the cost is so low, authors can publish their works and turn a profit by selling a very small number of books. These books usually appeal to small niches or segments of the market. For example, did you know that you can do a search on “toe nails” on Amazon.com and come up with 2,494 books!
There’s lots of stuff out there. It applies to books, records and even art. The good news is that whatever you like .... it is out there ! You just need to find it !
In summary, Art is subjective but what if you expanded your mind to appreciate the skills and years of practice that went into other forms of art.
I encourage you to defend other people’s rights to choose ... so you maintain your own right to choose.
And finally,
Find art that suits your tastes... there is lots out there and some of it is PERFECT for you !
Is it ART?
Is this art? Sure, I think everyone would say that this is “art”
Is this art? Show of hands?
Is this art?
Is this art?
Is this art?
Is this art? [see picture in post above]
How do you know what is art? Especially with non-traditional types of art?
First, let me start out with the "dictionary definition" of Art ....
"The conscious production or arrangement of sounds, colors, forms, movements, or other elements in a manner that affects the sense of beauty, specifically the production of the beautiful in a graphic or plastic medium. "
Doesn't really help much when it comes to non-traditional art, does it?
I’m going to address three common issues with non-traditional art and when I’m done, it is my goal that you will have a different perspective on what you consider “good” art !
The 3 issues are:
1) If it didn’t take long to create, then it isn’t worth much. A variation on this is, “My 3 year old daughter could do that.”
2) “I just plain don’t like it.”
3) “There’s too much garbage out there that’s not art !”
To tackle the issue of how much effort it takes, let me tell you a story about my grandfather.
Back in the early 60’s, he had an old run-down pump to provide water for his vacation cottage in NH. It always seemed to me to be held together with rubber bands and was always dying, usually when I was in the middle of my shower.
One day it died and he called up the local mechanic to fix it. The mechanic came out, looked over the pump.... took out his wrench .... and gave it a solid rap on the side. It roared back to life! My grandfather thanked him and figured since it only took him a few seconds, the bill would be small, if he even sent him a bill.
The next day, a bill from the mechanic for $35 showed up in the mail. My grandfather was furious. How could it be that much ... remember that $35 in the 60’s was like $500 now !
So he called up the mechanic and demanded and ITEMIZED bill, figuring that he would be embarrassed to itemize it or would not be able to justify his charges.
The next day, a new bill showed up with the following itemization:
Rap on the pump: $ .03
Knowing how to do it : $ 34.97
Art is the same way. Anyone can do it, but it can takes years to develop the background and skills to make the creation look effortless.
The second issue is: “I just don’t like it.”
To this I would ask, “Do you like freedom?”
The United States is a great country because we have freedom of expression. You have freedom of choice.
You don’t have to like someone else’s art, but it is in your best interest to defend everyone’s right to choose.
In addition, you also have the freedom to vote with this (show money). What you buy in many ways helps to determine what gets shown in public because if people cannot make money, they will have to do something else.
This leads me to the third issue: “There’s too much garbage art out there”
On this point, I have to agree with you. But I will add that it can actually be a good thing.
First, let me say that the internet has caused an explosion in choices.
A good example that people can relate to is books.
It used to be that there were best selling books in bookstores and if it didn’t make it to the bookstore, the odds were that you would never find it because it cost the publisher too much to get it into the store.
Now with the internet, there is what is called the “Long Tail”. This is where it costs next nothing to publish one more book and sell it on Amazon. Since the cost is so low, authors can publish their works and turn a profit by selling a very small number of books. These books usually appeal to small niches or segments of the market. For example, did you know that you can do a search on “toe nails” on Amazon.com and come up with 2,494 books!
There’s lots of stuff out there. It applies to books, records and even art. The good news is that whatever you like .... it is out there ! You just need to find it !
In summary, Art is subjective but what if you expanded your mind to appreciate the skills and years of practice that went into other forms of art.
I encourage you to defend other people’s rights to choose ... so you maintain your own right to choose.
And finally,
Find art that suits your tastes... there is lots out there and some of it is PERFECT for you !
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
The Marshmallow Effect ....
I came across an interesting blog post (referred by Seth Godin) ....
http://successbeginstoday.org/wordpress/2006/02/marshmallow-musings/
What Marshmallows are you eating today that you should set aside until tomorrow?
Won't they get hard if you let them sit out too long?
What's your Marshmallow philosophy? (Is it getting you what you want?)
Write On!
Dave Wheeler
Founder, www.notewordy.com
http://successbeginstoday.org/wordpress/2006/02/marshmallow-musings/
What Marshmallows are you eating today that you should set aside until tomorrow?
Won't they get hard if you let them sit out too long?
What's your Marshmallow philosophy? (Is it getting you what you want?)
Write On!
Dave Wheeler
Founder, www.notewordy.com
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Growing Businesses .... The Tree Analogy / Metaphor
This post is in response to Kathy Sierra's blog post: (Read her post first... so this will make more sense). http://headrush.typepad.com/creating_passionate_users/2006/01/death_by_riskav.html
I liked the "tree" analogy (or is it a metaphor, I always get those mixed up) and I would even take it a couple steps further.
I recently "read" (on audio CD) a book called "The Innovators Solution" by Clayton M. Christensen. In the book, he talks about Disruptive versus Sustaining Innovations and this can extend your tree idea.
Big companies (if they are any good) typically build their "tree" or systems around Sustaining innovations. These are Incremental improvements to existing products in existing markets. These are easy to see and, to use the analogy, are like the leaves collecting water and sunlight to feed the branches and trunk of the tree.
Disruptive innovations are usually for new markets (which "the branches" find hard to quantify or understand due to a lack of history in the markets) and often are for new (breakthrough?) products.
The "Solution" (as I interpret Clayton's book) is to plant the seeds separate from the main tree (spin them off?) and run them differently from the main business.
Clayton's overall suggestion is that to sustain overall growth you need to be planting seeds and protecting their growth because eventually the main tree is not going to be able to adapt and it will die!
Back to the tree analogy ... Leaves are workers supporting the operation of the tree. SEEDS are the innovations or ideas that can be grown into new trees (businesses). What do you think?
Good to have Kathy back on her blog!
Keep up the good work !
Dave Wheeler
Founder, NoteWordy.com
http://www.theshot92.blogspot.com/
I liked the "tree" analogy (or is it a metaphor, I always get those mixed up) and I would even take it a couple steps further.
I recently "read" (on audio CD) a book called "The Innovators Solution" by Clayton M. Christensen. In the book, he talks about Disruptive versus Sustaining Innovations and this can extend your tree idea.
Big companies (if they are any good) typically build their "tree" or systems around Sustaining innovations. These are Incremental improvements to existing products in existing markets. These are easy to see and, to use the analogy, are like the leaves collecting water and sunlight to feed the branches and trunk of the tree.
Disruptive innovations are usually for new markets (which "the branches" find hard to quantify or understand due to a lack of history in the markets) and often are for new (breakthrough?) products.
The "Solution" (as I interpret Clayton's book) is to plant the seeds separate from the main tree (spin them off?) and run them differently from the main business.
Clayton's overall suggestion is that to sustain overall growth you need to be planting seeds and protecting their growth because eventually the main tree is not going to be able to adapt and it will die!
Back to the tree analogy ... Leaves are workers supporting the operation of the tree. SEEDS are the innovations or ideas that can be grown into new trees (businesses). What do you think?
Good to have Kathy back on her blog!
Keep up the good work !
Dave Wheeler
Founder, NoteWordy.com
http://www.theshot92.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Public Speaking tips ... from Guy Kawasaki & Steve Jobs
Below is a link to Guy Kawasaki's blog post which features some of his tips for public speaking!
http://blog.guykawasaki.com/2006/01/how_to_get_a_st.html
Guy is one of my favorite authors (Art of the Start is his most recent effort) and I highly recommend him for people interested in marketing or business in general.
He references another source (click here) which describes Steve Job's keynote addresses and all the preparation that goes into them. There are plenty of lessons that we can learn from this article as well as some more that you can get by joining a Toastmasters club.
Speak UP!
Dave Wheeler
http://blog.guykawasaki.com/2006/01/how_to_get_a_st.html
Guy is one of my favorite authors (Art of the Start is his most recent effort) and I highly recommend him for people interested in marketing or business in general.
He references another source (click here) which describes Steve Job's keynote addresses and all the preparation that goes into them. There are plenty of lessons that we can learn from this article as well as some more that you can get by joining a Toastmasters club.
Speak UP!
Dave Wheeler
Friday, January 13, 2006
The benefits of Hindsight ...
Guy Kawasaki has only been blogging for 10 days and he is already one of my favorite blogs ...
This post has the full text of his "graduation / keynote speech". Check it out !
This post has the full text of his "graduation / keynote speech". Check it out !
Friday, January 06, 2006
New Year's Resolutions . . . . Learn from 2005, Apply in 2006
Scott Ginsberg has a post (see link below) that has so many great quotes that you just need to check it out !
HELLO, my name is BLOG: Life isn't about finding yourself, it's about creating yourself
After reading Scott's post, I would summarize it like this ...
Learn from what you did in 2005. What worked? What didn't? What did you try for the first time? What did you intend to try, but did not?
Once you learned.... How are you going to apply your learning in 2006? Now is the time to make plans and MAKE YOUR DREAMS HAPPEN !
Dave
HELLO, my name is BLOG: Life isn't about finding yourself, it's about creating yourself
After reading Scott's post, I would summarize it like this ...
Learn from what you did in 2005. What worked? What didn't? What did you try for the first time? What did you intend to try, but did not?
Once you learned.... How are you going to apply your learning in 2006? Now is the time to make plans and MAKE YOUR DREAMS HAPPEN !
Dave
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
New Year's Resolutions . . . .
New Year's Resolutions.....
The beginning of the year always seems like a good time for reflection on where you are and where you want to go.
The cold hard truth? If you do the same in 2005, you will probably get the same results in 2006 as you did in 2005. (see this blog entry by Seth Godin)
So . . . . What do you want to change in 2006? What challenges do you want to tackle?
Will you improve your speaking skills through Toastmasters? How about your leadership skills? (Did you know that Toastmasters also has a leadership skills program?) Check out their web site at www.Toastmasters.org to find a club near you!
We would love to hear what you think ! Please leave a comment here !
Happy New Year !
Dave Wheeler
Founder of http://www.notewordy.com/
The beginning of the year always seems like a good time for reflection on where you are and where you want to go.
The cold hard truth? If you do the same in 2005, you will probably get the same results in 2006 as you did in 2005. (see this blog entry by Seth Godin)
So . . . . What do you want to change in 2006? What challenges do you want to tackle?
Will you improve your speaking skills through Toastmasters? How about your leadership skills? (Did you know that Toastmasters also has a leadership skills program?) Check out their web site at www.Toastmasters.org to find a club near you!
We would love to hear what you think ! Please leave a comment here !
Happy New Year !
Dave Wheeler
Founder of http://www.notewordy.com/
Friday, December 23, 2005
Wine and Cheese Management ...
The title of this post probably sounds a little strange, but hopefully after a bit of explanation you will understand.
First, I deliberately mispelled my title so that it would be easier to read and pronounce. It is supposed be spelled, "Why-ne and Cheese Management".
The first part is so simple that even a two year old would understand it. If you have ever been around a two year old, you know that their favorite word is "Why". Why is the sky blue? Why are we going to school? Why do I have to wear these pants? (Some two year olds have some clothing issues, but that is a story for another post.)
From a business management perspective, Motivation is tied directly to WHY and if you give a compelling "why", your team will figure out a way to get it done. If you don't give a "Why", (and depend on "just do it because I said so"), you are limiting yourself to a solution that is not necessarily the best it could be. Think about it.... if you give workers the "why", they will use their own experience, dedication and creativity to come up with the solution. They may even ask for your suggestions (and learn from you by combining it with their own ideas), but in almost every case the result will be a better job in a shorter amount of time with improved moral and dedication for the next job.
The second part of the Wine & Cheese management approach is "The Cheese".
You might think that this part would be pulled directly from the popular business book, "Who moved my Cheese", but you would be wrong. The Cheese is about recognition and appreciation.
The Cheese comes in when you snap photographs of people doing things RIGHT. ("Say Cheese"... I'm about to take your picture.) These pictures should then be posted in public places with a brief explanation of why* this person is being honored.
* notice the use of "why" here also.
This educates, encourages and reinforces the key principles and practices that you want in your organization. It is also a great way to use your web site to extend "the face of your company" beyond your own four walls.
So, now, go out and have yourself a Why-ne and Cheese party !
It will make life more fun for you and your whole organization !
Dave Wheeler
Founder, Notewordy.com
First, I deliberately mispelled my title so that it would be easier to read and pronounce. It is supposed be spelled, "Why-ne and Cheese Management".
The first part is so simple that even a two year old would understand it. If you have ever been around a two year old, you know that their favorite word is "Why". Why is the sky blue? Why are we going to school? Why do I have to wear these pants? (Some two year olds have some clothing issues, but that is a story for another post.)
From a business management perspective, Motivation is tied directly to WHY and if you give a compelling "why", your team will figure out a way to get it done. If you don't give a "Why", (and depend on "just do it because I said so"), you are limiting yourself to a solution that is not necessarily the best it could be. Think about it.... if you give workers the "why", they will use their own experience, dedication and creativity to come up with the solution. They may even ask for your suggestions (and learn from you by combining it with their own ideas), but in almost every case the result will be a better job in a shorter amount of time with improved moral and dedication for the next job.
The second part of the Wine & Cheese management approach is "The Cheese".
You might think that this part would be pulled directly from the popular business book, "Who moved my Cheese", but you would be wrong. The Cheese is about recognition and appreciation.
The Cheese comes in when you snap photographs of people doing things RIGHT. ("Say Cheese"... I'm about to take your picture.) These pictures should then be posted in public places with a brief explanation of why* this person is being honored.
* notice the use of "why" here also.
This educates, encourages and reinforces the key principles and practices that you want in your organization. It is also a great way to use your web site to extend "the face of your company" beyond your own four walls.
So, now, go out and have yourself a Why-ne and Cheese party !
It will make life more fun for you and your whole organization !
Dave Wheeler
Founder, Notewordy.com
Monday, December 19, 2005
Seth Godin Seminar .... January 26th, 2006 !
Seth Godin, one of the world's greatest marketing minds and the author of The Idea Virus, Purple Cow, The Big Moo and a fabulous blog is offering a one day seminar / workshop where you can learn and interact both with him as well as fellow attendees!
(He is also offering a $100 referral fee, so if you sign up please tell him that you heard it from Dave Wheeler's blog, Write On! at www.theshot92.blogspot.com . Thanks.)
Click here to learn more !
Dave
(He is also offering a $100 referral fee, so if you sign up please tell him that you heard it from Dave Wheeler's blog, Write On! at www.theshot92.blogspot.com . Thanks.)
Click here to learn more !
Dave
Thursday, December 15, 2005
Free E-Book ! ! ...
Click below for a free ebook from Scott Ginsberg (the nametag /approachability guy)...
http://hellomynameisscott.blogspot.com/2005/12/free-ebook-66-priceless-pieces-of.html
Happy Holidays !
Dave Wheeler
Founder, www.notewordy.com
http://hellomynameisscott.blogspot.com/2005/12/free-ebook-66-priceless-pieces-of.html
Happy Holidays !
Dave Wheeler
Founder, www.notewordy.com
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Why Notecards as a business.....????
I was showing my newest notecards to a longtime friend (and a strong supporter of my efforts) and I thought his comment was interesting.
He said, "You sure are bucking the trend [with handwritten notecards]." I asked him what he meant and he replied, "You know, with email, cell phones with unlimited long distance calling and all the new ways to communicate, there doesn't seem like there would be alot of people who would be handwriting a note card."
I was a bit taken aback by the comment since I figured he knew the benefits of handwritten notes, but I reiterated them anyways. "Do you send greeting cards? Of course you do, and a handwritten note is much more effective way of making someone feel special. A handwritten card is an expression of who you are and when compared to a mass-produced cartoon the winner is obvious."
However, his question got me thinking about notecards as a business. Why would someone want to get into a business where ... ?
1) the general population does not care about it.
2) it is perceived as old fashioned or something your grandmother might do
3) alternative products can be purchased (in bulk) for 2-3 times less.
The more that I thought about, the more I liked the idea of a notecard business. I know that sounds strange or at least "counterintuitive" (which is a nice way of saying "stupid"), but there are a number of good reasons to like notecards and the associated business.
a) The greeting card business is worth billions.
b) There are many ways to offer something much better than a greeting card (in particular, notecards).
c) Notecards are definitely a niche (small) market. The market for art-based notecards is smaller still. The market for high-end, limited-edition notecards might be really small too, but I really like the product. Plus if it is only 0.1% of the billion dollar greeting card market, then it could be worth $1million dollars. The problem with that logic is the same as someone trying to sell soda in China.... there are BILLIONS of people there (all potential customers) and if we only get a small percentage, we will be rich! Everyone with even a little experience knows that it is not as simple as that. All people are different. A niche of one.
I should also add that my friend's other question was "Who would I send it to?" And the associated, unspoken question, of course, is, "Why would I send it?".
I will save those questions for my next blog entry.
He said, "You sure are bucking the trend [with handwritten notecards]." I asked him what he meant and he replied, "You know, with email, cell phones with unlimited long distance calling and all the new ways to communicate, there doesn't seem like there would be alot of people who would be handwriting a note card."
I was a bit taken aback by the comment since I figured he knew the benefits of handwritten notes, but I reiterated them anyways. "Do you send greeting cards? Of course you do, and a handwritten note is much more effective way of making someone feel special. A handwritten card is an expression of who you are and when compared to a mass-produced cartoon the winner is obvious."
However, his question got me thinking about notecards as a business. Why would someone want to get into a business where ... ?
1) the general population does not care about it.
2) it is perceived as old fashioned or something your grandmother might do
3) alternative products can be purchased (in bulk) for 2-3 times less.
The more that I thought about, the more I liked the idea of a notecard business. I know that sounds strange or at least "counterintuitive" (which is a nice way of saying "stupid"), but there are a number of good reasons to like notecards and the associated business.
a) The greeting card business is worth billions.
b) There are many ways to offer something much better than a greeting card (in particular, notecards).
c) Notecards are definitely a niche (small) market. The market for art-based notecards is smaller still. The market for high-end, limited-edition notecards might be really small too, but I really like the product. Plus if it is only 0.1% of the billion dollar greeting card market, then it could be worth $1million dollars. The problem with that logic is the same as someone trying to sell soda in China.... there are BILLIONS of people there (all potential customers) and if we only get a small percentage, we will be rich! Everyone with even a little experience knows that it is not as simple as that. All people are different. A niche of one.
I should also add that my friend's other question was "Who would I send it to?" And the associated, unspoken question, of course, is, "Why would I send it?".
I will save those questions for my next blog entry.
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
Coming Soon .... Free Christmas Card !
I'm working on a FREE Christmas Card that you can download and print out on your own printer. My travel plans will keep me busy for this week, but check back here early next week for more information!
Write On!
Dave Wheeler !
Write On!
Dave Wheeler !
