Laura Betterly’s Odds and Ends

June 23, 2008

Laura Betterly on getting what you’re worth!

Filed under: Laura Betterly, Markeing — Laura Betterly @ 8:09 pm

 

I was talking to a colleague of mine yesterday and you know, we were commiserating about client experiences we have had, where we have done a great job, no not great, but beyond great job and the client then went and offered us a fee that was practically insulting. 

 

He told me a story about a doctor who saved a patients life and sent the patient a bill for $100,000.00.   The patient was upset because he only spent 15 minutes with him and asked for an itemized bill.  What he got was this:   Hospital Stay:       $  5,000.00

          Supplies:                   2,000.00

Knowing where to cut:     93,000.00

 

Now, I know this is just a story, but it does illustrate a point.  We each have our area of expertise and should be well compensated for it.  If you do something better than others, there is a value that doesn’t equate to how many hours put into a project, but the value of the completed project. 

 

So, today’s tip really has more to do with knowing your value.  If you undersell your service, you are actually setting yourself up for a loss.  Your clients will know they are not properly compensating you and will actually not treat you well.

 

Don’t be afraid to ask for what you are worth!

 

Now, of course, if you do need my help with marketing and PR, do let me know.

 

May 22, 2008

Laura Betterly quoted in The Street

Filed under: Advertising, Laura Betterly, Markeing, Social Networking — Laura Betterly @ 11:08 pm

http://www.thestreet.com/story/10417905/1/six-tips-for-marketing-to-parents.html

Six tips for marketing to parents.

May 11, 2008

Not Everyone loves social networks…

Filed under: Social Networking — Laura Betterly @ 11:54 pm

Antisocial: Social Networking is Just Another CB Radio

An interesting view.  See article here:  http://www.pbs.org/cringely/pulpit/2008/pulpit_20080307_004467.html

May 9, 2008

This Weeks Newsletter–Resourses for your business

Filed under: Advertising, Markeing, Social Networking, Technology — Laura Betterly @ 8:57 pm

Hi Everyone,

 

I apologize for not getting this to you earlier this week, but I suspect the tools I want to tell you about will give you something to do over the weekend if you’re like me.

 

First off, I think you know my view on social networks.  I love them.  I’ve found www.linkedin.com and www.facebook.com very valuable to building business.  Here’s a link to a list of over 300 social networks http://mashable.com/2007/10/23/social-networking-god/  where you can end up finding like minded people based in your niche. 

 

A new network that just popped up is http://www.e-factor.biz/ .  This network is forentrepreneurs and potential investors. 

 

There are other networking resources for business.  You can create your own social network at www.ning.com .  No mess, no fuss, you can be up and running in minutes.

 

Then there is www.bebo.com that is a combination of a blog and social network.

Other authority sites for businesses and individuals  www.namyz.com and www.ryze.com .

 

If you want to know what is being said about you on the net you can buy a report and possibly get unwanted information eradicated by going to http://www.reputationdefender.com/ .

 

If you want to get your name on the first page of a web search, set up a blog at www.wordpress.com .  Other free blogs can be made at www.blogger.com and http://www.typepad.com/.  Some integrate with sites like www.digg.com so all you have to do is find an article that you like on Digg and with one button, post to your blog and share it with your audience.

 

Another interesting resource is http://www.guerrillamail.com/ where you can get a temporary e-mail address that expires in fifteen minutes.  It’s great if you have to give out your address in order to check something out, but really don’t want to get a ton of mail from the user.

 

Lastly for giggles go to http://www.bureauofcommunication.com/ or http://www.careerbuilder.com/monk-e-mail/ and send some fun e-mails to your friends and family

 

I think that all these web 2.0 applications are what are going to make the difference between ok and great results.  By being involved in social networks and by blogging, you are allowing others to get to know you.  Since we know that word of mouth is the best form of marketing, this really will pay off.  Think of it as sweat equity as opposed to paying someone like me to do it.  It truly is the most economical way to go.

 

Now, of course, if you do need my help with marketing and PR, do let me know.

 

Till next week.

 

Best,


Laura Betterly

President

www.yadayadamarketing.com

727-442-5888

 

Here’s another recommendation:

I had the pleasure to first meet Laura while I was at Live365 while she was running PC DJ. I loved the software and thought she did a great job getting the message out about the product and company. After she left PC DJ, Laura took her marketing skills and put them to use starting her own operations. She has a solid grasp of the Internet, how to reach an audience and is never afraid to try something new. She is a solid marketer and a wonderful person to have in your corner - especially when you need results oriented marketing.

A. W.

 

April 18, 2008

My experience with Facebook and Linked In–this is from my Yada Yada Marketing Newsletter

Filed under: Advertising, General Rants, Laura Betterly, Markeing, Social Networking — Laura Betterly @ 1:02 am
I wanted to go over with you the research I’ve been doing on Social Networks, namely LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com and Facebook (www.facebook.com). I started this in January and now in April wanted to share this with you.
As I’ve mentioned before, an analysis of my income over the last several years made me realize that word of mouth marketing has been my most successful action.
For whatever reason, I have greater success with referrals than with gaining new customers from scratch so to speak. 
Now, that doesn’t mean that I don’t use the services I sell to others to gain leads, just that half the job is done when we are referred.
About three weeks ago, I picked up this book called Jeffrey Gitomer’s Little Black book of Connections—6.5 Assets for Networking Your Way to RICH relationships and it actually was applicable to what I was endeavoring. (It’s an easy and interesting read, and I suggest it for you.)
Keeping that in mind, I joined Linked In and Facebook. First of all, Facebook is a blast. I did get back in touch with friends and old business associates I hadn’t been in touch with in years.
Facebook is much more personal. You post your own picture, bio, interests, and can interact by sending messages, playing a game, or giving virtual drinks, gifts and my personal favorite, throwing a sheep at someone…
Now, you’d think this wouldn’t have much of a business application, but I found out differently.
Thru my associations on Facebook, I gained the following:
A connection to old business associates, 
A connection to three extremely influential marketers that I previously read their books, but never met, 
Two clients and
I was booked as the moderator of the online retailing panel at Winter Music Conference http://www.wintermusicconference.com/events/schedule/index.php .
I just spent the week in Miami at the conference and then personally met over 100 people.
As far as Linked In goes, I again, found some business associates I hadn’t been in touch with in a while. I noticed that there is a function where you can answer questions in an area that you are expert and decided to answer some of these questions.
Well, as far as I can tell, this is the Holy Grail for business development. I have people e-mailing me, joining my network and I was asked to be a guest speaker on a webinar on Social Networking on April 17 not to mention the EVP for Marketing and Sales for a large corporation that I wouldn’t have been able to connect with without it.
If you are interested in attending this seminar, please go to Conference Call University and register using this link:
http://www.myeasyonlinestore.com/app/?Clk=2341074 . There is a nominal cost to attend, but the subject matter is about social networking for business.
Now, this is the kind of networking you can’t outsource. You need to be in the trenches yourself spending an hour or so a day developing these relationships. The other thing to note, (and info I got from Mr. Gitomer’s book) is that you need to add value to your connections and not approach this medium with what can they do for me. Now, I know we are looking for new business, but the fact is, you’ll get new business by being helpful in your chosen field. As a result you’ll start to be considered an expert and then you’ll get more business. 
In addition to all that I have two blogs that are about business, life, etc. and people get a sense of who I am. People are much more likely to do business with someone they know. You might want to check out my blogs at www.laurabetterly.blogspot.com or www.laurabetterly.com to see what I’m talking about.
Anyway, that’s what I’ve discovered and wanted you to be able to do this too.

April 9, 2008

OK, I can’t help it…here’s another on Paid Search Rap 101

Filed under: Advertising, Funny, Google Adwords, Laura Betterly, Markeing, Technology — Laura Betterly @ 9:38 pm

Now this is a good primer on the basics of web design and search engine optimization–and the beat isn’t bad…

Filed under: Advertising, Funny, Google Adwords, Markeing, Technology — Laura Betterly @ 9:34 pm

He has more, I’m thinking of posting them…

March 31, 2008

The music is okay, but you got to love the cow…

Filed under: Funny, Laura Betterly — Laura Betterly @ 11:35 pm

I call her Moogle Earth and she is my screensaver on my iPhone.

March 18, 2008

Some new electronic gadgets come loaded with viruses

Filed under: Technology — Laura Betterly @ 4:09 pm

From iPods to navigation systems, some of today’s hottest gadgets are landing on store shelves with some unwanted extras from the factory – pre-installed viruses that steal passwords, open doors for hackers and make computers spew spam.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/ptech/stories/031508dnbusvirus.39b0fee.html

Hmmm.   Just when you thought it was safe…

March 9, 2008

Can the iPhone beat the Blackberry??

Filed under: General Rants, Laura Betterly, Technology — Laura Betterly @ 3:47 am

http://www.forbes.com/home/technology/2008/03/05/iphone-apple-rim-tech-enter-cx_bc_0307iphone.html

Well, I might be a bit partial, here’s a good take on the next wave of iPhones..  I have an iPhone, I love my iPhone and can’t live without it.  

Before this, I had a PDA with Windows Mobile.  It sucked.  I sold it to my Son who promptly fell off a peer into the Long Island Sound with it.  Coincidence?  I think not.

March 7, 2008

Some more Google News

Filed under: Advertising, Google Adwords, Laura Betterly, Markeing — Laura Betterly @ 8:42 pm

http://www.alleyinsider.com/2008/3/google__buying_doubleclick__still_not_an_ad_agency

Google has been expanding it’s media offerings.   One of our clients got invited to beta their new TV service.  Real cool technology and interface. I saw the demo yesterday.

March 6, 2008

Good News!

Filed under: Advertising, Laura Betterly, Markeing, Music Business — Laura Betterly @ 11:17 pm

I just landed a speaking engagement at this years Winter Music Conference (www.wintermusicconference.com) I’m looking forward to South Beach. I’ll keep you posted with pictures and stories for sure.

If you are going to be there, I am moderating the Online Retail Panel on 3/27/08 http://www.wintermusicconference.com/events/schedule/index.php 

12:00PM Online Retailing
Miramar North -ready room Balboa

Learn business models for selling music over the Internet so that you can set up shop! This panel will discuss structure, marketing & promotion, licensing, merchant accounts & online payment options, etc. Discover the basics in Online Retailing and begin selling music online immediately.

Moderator: Laura Betterly- Yada Yada Marketing
Panelists: Tommy Capistrano- Napster
Jonas Tempel- Beatport
DJ Rap- Proper Talent
DJ NYC Ken- Hidden Beach Recordings
Douglas Ruffin- GiGCREATOR LLC.
Tiffany R. Almy- Sedlmayr & Associates

March 5, 2008

My friend has a daughter and sent me this! She’s only four months old.

Filed under: Funny — Laura Betterly @ 5:43 pm

APPLICATION TO DATE HANNAH ISABELLE

   NOTE: This application will be incomplete and rejected unless accompanied by you and your family’s complete financial statements, you and your father/mother’s job history, references from all of your teachers to date, a detailed family lineage along with a “total health review” to be completed by Dr. Sam Fender, Director of the CDC (Center for Disease Control – 105 Adams St., Atlanta Georgia  20938).  Include a second blood sample if the test results are more than 72 hours old.     

Name as it appears on Birth Certificate:               

Date of Birth:

Home  Address:

Height:                                                              Weight:

IQ:                                                                   GPA:

SOCIAL SECURITY #:                                      DRIVERS LICENSE #:

 

BOY SCOUT RANK WITH MERIT BADGES  (list badges on back and include photo of you at recent troop meeting holding a current copy of USA Today which is to be in clear view):

 

    “YES/NO” Section – Circle correct answer: 

Do you have parents?                                                 Yes       No

 

Is one male and the other female?                                    Yes       No       

If no, explain:

 

Number of years they have been married?                   

If less than your age, explain:

 

  THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS ARE TO BE ANWERED ON A LIE DETECTOR AT THE ADDRESS BELOW.  BRING $1,500 AND WEAR LOOSE FITTING CLOTHING. NSA SPECIAL SERVICES DIVISION1000 CAPITAL DRIVELANGLEY, VIRGINIA  40897 REPORT TO ROOM 666 AND ASK FOR “DR. JACKSON”.  DR. JACKSON IS FULLY TRAINED IN THE “POST-MODERN YAROBIKOV METHOD”  SO THERE IS NOHING TO WORRY ABOUT.  

Do you own or have access to a van?                             Yes       No

Do you know what pornography is?                                Yes       No

Have you every masturbated?                                     Yes       No

Do you know what masturbation is?                               Yes       No

Do you have a waterbed?                                         Yes       No

Do you have a pickup with a mattress in the back?               Yes       No

Do you have a tattoo?                                           Yes       No

Do you think parties are fun?                                   Yes       No

Do you drink alcohol?                                           Yes       No

Do you do drugs?                                                Yes       No

Do you know what drugs and alcohol are?                         Yes       No

Do you have an earring or nose ring?                            Yes       No

Do you have any friends with “piercings?”                       Yes       No

Do you know what “getting to second base” means?                Yes       No

Have you ever seen an “R” rated movie?                          Yes       No

Do you know what a “queef” sounds like?                         Yes       No

Do you know the price of a 3-pack of Magnums?                   Yes       No

Do you know what a “Donkey Punch” is?                           Yes       No

Do you know who Jenna Jamison is?                               Yes       No

Do you know what a “Ruffie” is?                                 Yes       No

If your mom got a “facial”, what does that mean to you?         Yes       No

Have you ever been to a “Rave”?                                 Yes       No

Have you ever had sex with a woman?                             Yes       No

Have you ever thought about having sex with a woman?            Yes       No

Do you know what a typical rate for a hotel room is?            Yes       No

Do you know how much a six-pack of Budweiser is?                Yes       No

Do you know what “rack” of beer is?                             Yes       No

Do you know how much a keg deposit is?                          Yes       No

Do you know what a “dime bag” is?                               Yes       No

Do you know what an “eight-ball” is?                            Yes       No

   *              (ANY POSITIVE READS OR “FALSE POSITIVES” FOR THAT MATTER WILL RESULT IN APPLICATION DENAIL AT WHICH POINT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY MUST MOVE OUT OF THE STATE)    

Are you gay?                                                               Yes       No

Are you a eunuch?                                                          Yes       No

   *              (IF THE ABOVE TWO QUESTIONS RETURN VALID POSITIVES YOUR APPLICATION WILL BE IMMEDIATELY APPROVED)    ESSAY SECTION: 

In 50 words or less, what does ‘LATE’ mean to you?       

 

In 50 words or less, what does ‘DON’T TOUCH MY DAUGHTER’ mean to you?

 

In no less than 5,000 words describe the cultural benefits of abstinence.

 

In no less than 50,000 words, successfully argue to social benefits of  “an eye-for-an-eye”.

    REFERENCES SECTION;  

Church you attend:                        How often you attend:

 

When would be the best time to interview your:

 

Father?                          Mother?                                   

Pastor/Rabbi?                 Troop Leader?

    

SHORT-ANSWER SECTION: Answer by filling in the blank…….all answers are confidential.

 

If I were to shoot you, where is the place you would least like to be shot?

 

If I were to beat you, the bone I would like broken least is what?

 

Would the thought of “non-terminal water boarding” frighten you?

 

The one thing I hope this application does not ask me about is:

 

What do you want to do if you grow up?

 

When I meet a girl, the thing I always notice about her first is:

 

      I SWEAR THAT ALL INFORMATION SUPPLIED ABOVE IS TRUE AND CORRECT TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE.  I KNOW THAT WHATEVER I DO TO YOUR DAUGHTER, YOU WILL DO TO ME. 

Applicant’s Signature:

 

Mother’s Signature:

 

Father’s Signature:

 

Pastor/Priest/Rabbi Signature:

 

Troop Leader’s Signature:

 

State Representative/Congressman Signature:

  

Your interest in my daughter is appreciated;  I hope that is is sincere and non-sexual in nature.  Please allow four to six years for processing of this application. You may be contacted in writing if you are approved.  Do not try to call or write. Attempting to do so will result in immediate application denial.  On the outside chance you are gay and/or a eunuch and this application is accepted, the following rules must be memorized and repeated back to me verbatim, before we “get to know” me and the boys at the gym.

     DADDY’S HANNAH RULES 

1.)    Do not touch my daughter.

2.)    You may not look directly at my daughter.  

3.)    You may glance at her if you are not looking below her neck.  Look at the ground when in the presence of my daughter.

4.)    You do not touch my daughter.

5.)    If you touch my daughter, I will cut off your hands.

6.)    When walking with my daughter, walk two steps behind her and slightly to the left.

7.)    I’m sure you’ve been told that in today’s world, sex without utilizing a ‘Barrier method’ of some kind can kill you. Let me elaborate, when it comes to sex, I am the barrier, and I will kill you.

8.)    It is usually understood that in order for us to get to know each other, we should talk about sports, politics, and other issues of the day. Please do not do this. It is not necessary.  The only information I require from you is an indication of when you expect to have my daughter safely back at my house.

9.)    Do not touch my daughter.

10.) I have no doubt you are a popular fellow, with many opportunities to date other girls. This is fine with me as long as it is okay with my daughter. Otherwise, once you have gone out with my little girl, you will continue to date no one but her until she decides to terminate the friendship.  If you make her cry, I will kill you.

11.) If you at coming to pick my daughter up for a social engagement, please show up early and make yourself useful around the house.  A list of chores for you to do will be made available for you.

12.) The following places are not appropriate for a date with my daughter: Places where there are beds, sofas, or anything softer than a wooden stool. Places where there is darkness. Places where there is dancing, holding hands or other people for that matter.  Places where the ambient temperature is warm enough to induce my daughter to wear shorts, tank tops, midriff T-shirts, or anything other than overalls, a sweater, and a goose down parka - zipped up to her throat.

13.) Movies with a strong romantic or sexual themes are to be avoided;  You may only take my daughter to “G” rated movies.

14.) Do not touch my daughter.

15.) Do not lie to me. I may appear to be a potbellied, balding, middle-aged, dimwitted has-been. But on issues relating to my daughter, I am the all-knowing and merciless “Sheiva”, God of Death.

16.) It is required that you spend five hours sparring with me.  I train at “World Champion Cagefighters HQ”, but I haven’t fought professionally since the accident, so not to worry.  And despite what you may have heard, I did not mean to kill Ivan.  There was blood in my ear and I thought he said something about my daughter…it turns out he was saying “uncle”.  I was not convicted.

17.) If I ask you where you are going and with whom, you have one chance to tell me the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. I have a shotgun, a shovel, and five acres behind the house. Do not trifle with me  Trust me when I tell you this, I will make you actually dig your own grave.  But not to worry, it has been said that a man truly gets to know what he is made of when he digs his own grave.

18.) Do not touch my daughter.

19.) Be afraid. Be very afraid. It takes very little for me to mistake the sound of your car in the driveway for the “bad people” in my dreams.  The sound of teenagers car doors shutting and my LSD flashbacks make the nights very difficult for me and so I recommend day trips with my daughter.  She likes to volunteer serving lunch at the “Happy Village – a Safe Alzheimer’s Alternative” on US 480, just south of Main St.

20.) If this application is approved, which I doubt, when you pull into my driveway do not tell the dogs to “sit” or that it is “OK”.  They have been trained to detect hostility, outsiders and seventy-three unique smells relating to teenagers.  I recommend you simply exit the car with both hands in plain sight. Speak the perimeter password, announce in a clear voice that you have brought my daughter home safely and early, then return to your car.  There is no need for you to come inside or call my daughter again.  She will call you if she is interested.  You are not to answer her calls. 

21.) If my daughter’s GPA dips below a 4.0, I will kill you.

22.) Do not touch my daughter.

23.) My daughter has been trained to not want a cell phone.  If she “wants one” after spending time with you, I will kill you.

24.) My daughter still believes in Santa, the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny.  If for some reason she becomes disabused of these culturally advantageous mythical figures, I will torture you, then kill your family and everybody with your first and last name.  Then my friends and I will dress up as Santa, the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny respectively and torture/kill you over the course of three montbhs.  All of my friends are homosexual and convicted sex offenders.

25.) Do not touch my daughter.

 

March 1, 2008

Who cut the cheese??

Filed under: Advertising, Funny, Laura Betterly, Markeing, Uncategorized — Laura Betterly @ 4:00 pm

This was banned. Very funny.  I’m not sure the point of this ad other than it’s funny and it seems that Bud spends a lot of time being funny.  From a branding standpoint, it really doesn’t do so much to brand or sell the product, but is memorable because of it’s content. 

February 27, 2008

Cell Phone Karma

Filed under: Uncategorized — Laura Betterly @ 4:37 pm

February 22, 2008

Scissors beat Paper

Filed under: Funny, Laura Betterly — Laura Betterly @ 8:28 pm

Scissors beat Paper

HMMMM….Looks about right to me..

An Interesting Take On the Media

Filed under: General Rants, Laura Betterly, Markeing — Laura Betterly @ 8:27 pm

The Pastor’s Ass
The pastor entered his donkey in a race and
it won.   The pastor was so pleased with the donkey
that he entered it in the race again, and it won again.

The local paper read:

PASTOR’S ASS OUT FRONT.

The Bishop was so upset with this kind of publicity
that he ordered the pastor not to enter the donkey in another race.
The next day, the local paper headline read:

BISHOP SCRATCHES PASTOR’S ASS.

This was too much for the bishop, so he ordered the pastor to
get rid of the donkey. The pastor decided to give it to a nun in a
nearby convent. The local paper, hearing of the news, posted
the following headline the next day:

NUN HAS BEST ASS IN TOWN.

The bishop fainted. He informed the nun that she would have to get rid of the donkey, so she sold it to a farmer for $10.
The next day the paper read:

NUN SELLS ASS FOR $10.

This was too much for the bishop, so he ordered the nun to buy back the donkey and lead it to the plains where it could run wild.
The next day the headlines read:

NUN ANNOUNCES HER ASS IS WILD AND FREE.

The bishop was buried the next day.

The moral of the story is .. . . being concerned about public opinion can bring you much grief and misery . . even shorten your life.

So be yourself and enjoy life.

Stop worrying about everyone else’s ass and you’ll be a lot happier and live longer!

******************************************************************************************************************** 

As someone who has been vilified in the press, there is much truth to the above. Hope you enjoyed as much as I did.

February 14, 2008

Am I getting Old???

Filed under: Funny, General Rants, Laura Betterly — Laura Betterly @ 3:35 pm

pachino-deniro-getty51687882.jpgJim carry and Adam Sandler

Pacino and De Niro               VS   Sandler and Carrey    —  You decide… 

A few months back, I drove my son and his two friends to the movies on a Friday night.  Since I didn’t have much of a choice, I listened to their conversation.

To my horror, they were seriously discussing Jim Carrey and Adam Sandler as great actors, like my friends and I discuss Al Pacino and Robert De Niro.

Now, don’t get me wrong, both Carrey and Sandler are entertaining, but in my opinion can’t be anywhere in the league of Pacino and De Niro. 

Am I getting old or what???

February 13, 2008

Watch out for this marketing fraud by Laura Betterly

Filed under: Advertising, Google Adwords, Laura Betterly, Markeing — Laura Betterly @ 9:21 pm

I had a potential client come to me about two weeks ago and said he found a company that could get him on the front page of Google for $400.00 a month.  Knowing what I know about Google, and all the years of experience in the area it sounded too good to be true.   It was.

We called this company to figure out what they were doing.  They were calling there service Search Engine Placement.  We asked if this was Google AdWords and they guy kept saying (as if we didn’t understand such things) “ hmm The Google Algorithm, The Google Algorithm…”  

Well, what we found out is this: it was Google AdWords and what he was doing was buying one specific keyword like “dentist Kalamazoo Michigan” that didn’t get searched often.   The problem with this is although he wasn’t technically lying, how does this benefit the client? It doesn’t, unless those specific strings of words are actually searched. It’s just another way some unscrupulous people are making a bad name for the industry.   I wanted you to know.

February 12, 2008

Another Great Commercial..

Filed under: Advertising, Funny, Laura Betterly, Markeing — Laura Betterly @ 3:35 pm

Here’s a great example of a commerical that communicates.

February 10, 2008

The top 10 unintentionally worst company URLs by Laura Betterly

Filed under: Advertising, Funny, Laura Betterly, Markeing — Laura Betterly @ 8:45 pm

Thought you would enjoy these! Please learn a lesson by seeing these!  A good friend of mine who is a webmaster passed these on to me.

—————————————

Everyone knows that if you are going to operate a business in today’s world you need a domain name. It is advisable to look at the domain name selected as other see it and not just as you think it looks. Failure to do this may result in situations such as the following (legitimate) companies who deal in everyday humdrum products and services but clearly didn’t give their domain names enough consideration:

1. A site called ‘Who Represents‘ where you can find the name of the agent that represents a celebrity. Their domain name… wait for it… is
www.whorepresents.com

2. Experts Exchange, a knowledge base where programmers can exchange advice and views at
www.expertsexchange.com

3. Looking for a pen? Look no further than Pen Island at
www.penisland.net

4. Need a therapist? Try Therapist Finder at
www.therapistfinder.com

5. Then of course, there’s the Italian Power Generator company…
www.powergenitalia.com

6. And now, we have the Mole Station Native Nursery, based in New South Wales (that’s in Australia):
www.molestationnursery.com

7. If you’re looking for computer software, there’s always
www.ipanywhere.com

8. Welcome to the First Cumming Methodist Church. Their website is
www.cummingfirst.com

9. Then, of course, there’s these brainless art designers, and their whacky website:
www.speedofart.com

10. Want to holiday in Lake Tahoe? Try their brochure website at
www.gotahoe.com

This is one of the funniest commericals ever — Only one problem with this… by Laura Betterly

Filed under: Advertising, Funny, General Rants, Laura Betterly, Markeing — Laura Betterly @ 7:43 pm

This is one of the funniest Superbowl commercials.  The only problem is that although the subject matter is funny as hell, it doesn’t really brand the car.  I went searching for the video to add to this blog and it took me a bit to find becuase I thought it was a Nissan commercial (it was Toyota).  I don’t think I’m unique in this way and it actually violates the purpose of advertising, which is to get into peoples minds so that the individual, if interested, will go and purchase the item.  Under those rules, I would have gone to the wrong dealer…

OK, some marketers have gone too far! by Laura Betterly

Filed under: Advertising, Funny, General Rants, Laura Betterly, Markeing — Laura Betterly @ 7:09 pm

I went to a rather upscale restaurant with my husband for dinner last night–it was our date night.

In the middle of the dinner, I excused myself and went to the ladies room to find the most embarrassing advertising I’ve ever witnessed–there were ads in the stalls. 

Now, I ask you, would you go to an accountant who advertises on the bathroom wall?  Can you see the first conversation, “Hi Mr. Accountant, I was in the bathroom peeing and thinking about my taxes and your advertisement (with picture) was staring at me, so I picked up my cell phone and decided to call you right away.  What a relief to know you were advertising at the exact moment I was considering my tax liability and relieving my bladder.  You’re a Godsend.”

You know, I have a lot of experience with advertising and marketing, but I just don’t see this one as viable…

Outsourcing–what a concept by Laura Betterly

Filed under: Funny, General Rants, Laura Betterly — Laura Betterly @ 6:55 pm

Outsourcing has changed the landscape of the world.  Here’s a very funny take on it. 

Foamy Rocks

Spanish for your Nanny by Laura Betterly

Filed under: Funny — Laura Betterly @ 6:48 pm

Oh My…this is too funny!

January 25, 2008

Do carbon footprints come in sizes like shoes? by Laura Betterly

Filed under: General Rants, Green, Laura Betterly, Markeing — Laura Betterly @ 6:44 pm

Is carbon neutral a color or are we doing away with pencils? I don’t get it…
How can anyone “buy” a credit for energy they expended? It doesn’t make sense. You either use the energy or you don’t. Period.

What it seems to me as a marketing professional is that the new “buzz” word is all that is Green. If you add green to whatever it is you’re doing, you can be politically correct and relevant.

The truth is if we want to be good and productive inhabitants of planet earth, then we must conserve ourselves, and not try to offset ones own consumption with other peoples lack thereof. It’s kind of cheating, don’t you think??

July 24, 2007

Integration Nightmares by Laura Betterly

Filed under: General Rants, Laura Betterly — Laura Betterly @ 6:37 pm


You know, coordination is a beautiful thing.  Without it, you get what I just witnessed in my own organization.  I was looking for some particular information and what I found was disturbing. I found out that our company is using:

Two different billing systems

Three different help desk systems

Two separate FAQ management softwares

Two different payment processors

Two different CRM solutions by different parts of the sales force

A couple different email marketing solutions

Sheesh….could it be any more complex?? 

July 23, 2007

How Google became Google by Laura Betterly

Filed under: Google Adwords, Laura Betterly, Markeing — Laura Betterly @ 6:29 pm

The story of Google is very Interesting.  Here is the story of the Founders of Google, a nine minute piece, and a great background for everyone to understand the hidden story behind the founding of the search giant, and explains how Adwords works.

May 27, 2007

When do you not need to market? by Laura Betterly

Filed under: Laura Betterly, Markeing — Laura Betterly @ 8:41 pm

I have a nutritionist that I see on a regular basis who has pretty much saved my life. He’s amazing. I don’t know of any one else who can get a result like he does.  The strange thing though is that he doesn’t market – at all. You can’t find him in the yellow pages. His office and signage is not visible from the street and he doesn’t send out postcards. Although he is the source of some of the funniest things I’ve received via e-mail, he doesn’t have a website either. Now, here’s the kick. He makes money, has a nice car and house. How can he do this? It breaks every law of marketing, advertising and PR. Is there really no marketing going on here? Well, here’s a definition of marketing - the commercial process involved in promoting and selling and distributing a product or service. If he isn’t marketing, who is? I’ll tell you HIS CLIENTS! So here’s the rule: If you have great word of mouth and no real competition, or such a unique and valuable product or service, you don’t need to advertise. Word of mouth is the best way to market. So even though it appears that he isn’t marketing, his excellent service creates such good will, his patients market for him. I wish we all had such a great reputation. Until next time! 

February 28, 2007

Landing Page Conversions by Laura Betterly

Filed under: Google Adwords, Laura Betterly, Markeing — Laura Betterly @ 7:46 pm

Here’s a bit of information on a new project my company has called Search Chameleon.

One of our tech guys had a brilliant idea to maximize our Google Adwords conversions for landing pages with one simple concept - instead of trying to make the best possible page for everyone, making the page dynamically change to be the best possible page for a certain visitor based on the keywords of their search,  graphical and other factors.  This increases landing page conversions dramatically, but it also has the added benefit of making us immune to the latest “Google Slap.”

We’re having great success on this for ourselves and our clients.

For more information on marketing, go to Yada Yada Marketing