The Other Side of the Booth

"He's late we are going to miss our nap"

"We are so ghetto, they will never know..."

" Do you like American girls?"

" Do you like young girls like us?"

"Are you upset now?"

"Does she wax?"

"I already have a child I don't need to have kids"

"Maybe? Maybe he's different?"

"OMG?"

Wth? Okay the last one was my comment. I was at lunch with a client discussing upcoming projects that I may have the opportunity to bid/work on. We had finished our chips and salsa and we were working on our entrees when I asked what my next blog should be about. We both looked up at the same time and smiled while listening to the comments already mentioned above. That was followed by the title of this blog. I think it's fun and entertaining and yes a little voyeuristic. I know we have all listened to conversations going on close to us. Don't even say that you haven't.

Some of the conversations have been very funny, some sad and some just plain crazy. Today was one of those crazy ones. Well at least to me 'cause I'm not a early twenty something year old girl. They may have been cute but "OMG", like where are their heads at?" was all I could think.

Everything was about "me", not me but the person who was talking. And "like", "like this" and "like that" was almost every other word out of her head. And some of the questions discussed at lunch in a full restaurant "Does she wax?" . This question was asked by a girl to a guy to find out what he liked about her. And those of you who know me know that I am not very conservative but wow... again really?

So what do I say next? My head is still shaking back and forth wondering if it was all true.

After giggling for for a little bit with my friend we got back to work stuff. I was still curious to see what these people looked like. I saw them as they were leaving and I could only think "omg" and "like really". They could have came off the set of "clueless" or straight from the valley. Enough said.

So the next time you are talking with your closest friends, clients, or people you just met remember... Someone could be listening or even writing about what you said. And I know that I will be writing again under the same title and I am already looking forward to it.

What's In It For Me???

Have you ever noticed when looking at an ad in the newspaper or magazine that the companies logo is so huge? Or have you noticed that the logo is at the top of the ad and the first thing you see when reading or glancing at it? Is this right? I don't think so. I was always taught that the benefit to the consumer was to be first.

Sure, I guess if you just want to sell advertising you can get a cute photo of your clients new grandchild put with their logo on top of it and it's sold? Will it get a response? I know people that have done this... it's not right. But they will get phone calls from friends and family saying that they saw the ad. But did it sell any product? I don't think so. Don't get me wrong if the client is selling baby diapers or strollers it might be a good fit.

I try my best to create ads that show the benefit to the consumer first. "Live On The Beach", "Buy Yours and Mom's Dinner is FREE" or "Free Sunsets Daily" are a few ideas benefitting consumers. The reader unless they made it doesn't really care about the logo. I'm not saying the logo doesn't need to be on the ad 'cause it does. You need the name recognition for your brand but your logo being the second or third most prominent item is fine. I would say consumer benefit is first or second behind eye catching graphic or photograph then your logo.

Also you need to have at least basic contact information - address and phone number or all of it address, phone number, web site, email address, tracking #'s. And of course a call to action in the body copy is a good thing too. You can tease your reader with a great offer but if you don't tell them how to get it they might not even try to get it.

Remember that some of the best creative is simple and easy to read. So keep it simple and put your customer first then your business will benefit.