Writing an Effective Promotional E-Mail

I just read a great short article on crafting an effective promotional e-mail message on PCmag.com and thought I should share it. The author offers some great, simple steps that anyone can implement when promoting products or services. Some of the tips include: personalize the message, start with a question and don't use large images.

Make certain that you are maximizing the effectiveness of your e-mails. Don't Spam. For rules on what constitutes SPAM read the CAN-SPAM act. This is the FCC regulation that defines what is and is not SPAM in the U.S.

Click here to read the article on PCMag.com.

Why is this food so fast?

I was talking with one of my advertising classes the other day about the nature of advertising to children, specifically food products. While there are regulatory bodies in place (The FCC, FDA etc.) there remains a significant gray area in regards to most standards. Ultimately leaving the decision of what is ethical messaging up to the advertising agency and/or producer of the product.

We specifically addressed the ever evolving McDonalds Menu, and came to a consensus that it is good that McDonald's wants to at least give people a healthier alternative to their standard fare by offering items like salads and apple slices. Skepticism remains as to weather or not this is just a marketing ploy, an attempt to capitalize on popular trends, a change made out of a sincere concern for the customer's health or some combination of these factors.

Here is an interesting article about 10 things that the food industry does not want you to know (from Yahoo) click here

Funny Motivational Posters

I love the new Battlestar Galactica - not necessarily because of the CGI (which is the best ever produced for TV) but because of the intricate storyline(s) and the depth of character development not to mention the stellar acting. When you get sucked into this show you will forget that you are watching TV and actually identify with the characters and issues. A very difficult task to accomplish in any medium especially Sci-fi for TV.

You may have seen some funny motivational posters floating around on the Internet. A friend of mine recently sent me a great collection from www.demotivateus.com, and I had to share a few. Thank you to whoever created these, you made me laugh.

Books to read: Ender's Game

I just finished Orson Scott Card's masterpiece "Ender's Game", and let me tell you I do not use the word masterpiece lightly. The story has depth and meaning often lacking in popular fiction, it is amazingly easy to read, and although it is the story of responsibility thrust upon a child the writing is assessable but not childish in any way.

"Ender's Game" is the story of a boy-hero, Ender Wiggin, burdened as the saviour of mankind. Ender's trials to become the ultimate commander, achieving balance between the harsh realities of war and the compassion to preserve life, comprise one of the most realistic and poignant coming of age tales ever written.

I don't want to be a spoiler - just read the book and/or graphic novel coming out via Marvel Comics this fall (2008)

Grand Canyon Pics

Looking for things to do in Las Vegas besides gamble? You can book excursions to the Grand Canyon if you are looking for something more adventurous than doubling down on 11.

There are a number of different packages from a few local tour companies. Check out http://www.alllasvegastours.com/ for a good comparison. I did the helicopter, lunch package, it is a 45 minute ride out to the Grand Canyon vs. a 2 hour+ bus trip, flying over Lake Mead, The Hoover Dam, and Lake Las Vegas on your way there.

The views are amazing during the entire trip but once you reach the canyon everything else is minuscule in comparison. You fly into the canyon and have lunch on a plateau just above a bend in the Colorado river. A fantastic trip and would definitely recommend doing this trip in the morning to minimize the effects of the desert heat.

Here are a few of the 440 pics I took:

The Colorado River and Grand Canyon

The Colorado River and Grand Canyon (with some Photoshop enhancement - replaced and augmented colors, removed reflection from windshield and made the Colorado River blue)
Lake Mead

Lake Mead - Colorado river mouth with some Photoshop enhancements

This is the same picture as above with more Photoshop enhancements. Adjusted the curves to give the shadows more detail. Adjusted the saturation to give the color of the mountains more complexity/hyper realism)

Aerial shot of the Las Vegas Strip