Don't Publish Too Often

A Dummy's Puppet's Ramblings - from Chip Martin, Mannequin American

Why You Shouldn't "Publish" So Often

I have a job. Granted, it's not much of a job. I'm the token Mannequin American at a marketing/pr firm.  But still, I have things I have to do during the normal workday. That fact appears to be completely foreign to the majority of bloggers and twitterers who seem to think that like them, everyone else is hovering over their computers in eager anticipation of receiving another blog post or tweet.

Here's a newsflash that will certainly raise the ire of many; sending out blog posts and tweets several times a day may make you feel like you're doing something important ... but it's annoying as hell to those of us with real jobs.

When I started this blog over two years ago, I modeled my initiative loosely after a blog that I really enjoy and admire, AdRants. AdRants publishes once a day. The post generally includes snippets on 5 to 15 marketing-related topics. It's easy to quickly scan the entire blog and click for more information on any specific topic. I appreciate that the writers care enough about my time to group all of their daily information into a single post.

Seventy percent of the blogs that I follow make separate, multiple posts during the day. No schedule ... no organization ... just random posts ... each requiring me to click on it before I can decide whether or not I'm interested. Apparently because these bloggers have a lot of time on their hands, they assume their readers are similarly unoccupied and not stressed for time. Twitterers are even worse. Even though immediacy and brevity are part of the Twitter advantage, most twitters waste too much of my time. In both cases I find the "delete" button a huge time saver.

So what do I want? I want bloggers and others to go out of their way to save me time, not require more of it. That necessitates more organization and less ego on their part.

If you're a blogger, the next time you're ready to make a post, wait two hours. If you have additional thoughts during that time, add them to your post and wait another two hours. Do this all day. Then hit "publish." You'll have told me everything you wanted to tell me without filling my RSS file with 16 separate posts.

Thanks.

Honk if You Like Ta Tas
 

From AdGabber: OK so the whole honking hooters thing is nothing new, but the application of the joke in this video urging women to get mammograms is both humorous and compelling.

Ta tas are fun to look at and fun to make jokes about. But it's no laughing matter when it comes to breast cancer. Click here to see an effective commercial promoting breast exams.

Who Knew Daly Wore Underwear?

From AdFreak: As if 2010 weren't off to a rocky enough start, now I have to listen to John Daly talk about his underwear. The formerly mulleted and rotund golfer, who cut his hair and slimmed down, is a spokesman for Slix underwear these days.

"Slix boxer briefs are the most ridiculously comfortable underwear I've ever put on" is his exact quote. At least it's good to know that he wears underwear.

Promoting Paralympics

Tagline: "Help an athlete to go to the Paralympics. Make a donation." 

From AdsoftheWorld: Action for ADD (Sporting Association for the Disabled) took place in Cumbica International Airport, São Paulo, on January 17th and 18th of 2010. Life-size paper displays showing disabled athletes in wheelchairs were strategically placed on several luggage carts. When passengers used them to carry their bags, it looked as if they were actually pushing the wheelchair of a disabled athlete. Messages on the backs of the carts urged people to make donations to the organization.

Hard Working Hands are Made of Wood

No, this is not a photo of me helping Dale build shelves. It's an ad for "On the Job" hand cream that says it "Repairs hands that work for a living." I may try it. But that saw is going to give me nightmares.

Puppets Continue to be Effective Sales Tools

Kobe and LeBron puppets are still popular and effective shills for Nike ... enticing youngsters to want high-priced sneakers that their parents probably can't afford.

Click here to see their "House on Fire" commercial.