"Taking Care Of Business..."

Hi,

Just a quick note to check in with you.

I'm cooking some ideas, some of them may involve you.

So here's a question for you. Would you enjoy seeing me critique some websites?

This question comes from thinking about the quality of a lot of marketing. It stinks. It's based on what readers will tolerate reading and what visitors will stop short of abandoning.

So, rather than imposing what I think, I'd like to get your opinion via comments or email, please. Do you think reading or watching critiques would be an exceptional experience and valued resource for you?

Or we can take this from an open ended position: What do think might be an exceptional resource for you?

News flash: I installed a widget -- the one that says 'double click any word'. So try it and tell me what you think. I like to use obscure words, sometimes, but I realize reading them can be a hassle. Now, all of us can have our cake and eat it, too.

--Peter

Comments

[Mike Sigers]

Hey Peter,

Because I was so detailed and because the idea was so good, I sent it to you via email.

[infoworld]

Yes, reading copy critiques (or watching them through video) would be a great idea. You could use Camtasia to do this (if you want to use video).

[Copywriter, Peter Stone]

Mike,

Thanks for your email and for the thought and work that went into composing such great ideas.

I responded.

--Peter

[Copywriter, Peter Stone]

Infoworld,

Thank you for responding to my post.

I agree with you, ultimately, video will be the way to go. I may, however, begin with something a bit more humble and ratchet up if it catches on.

Thank you for your help on this.

--Peter

[Copywriter, Kevin Francis]

Peter,

I think this question falls into the same category as "Is the Pope a Catholic?"

(Hmmm, let me see. World class copywriter offers to provide advice conservatively worth tens of thousands of dollars for free. I'll pass...not!)

One suggestion, be selective about it. Both from the point of view of your own time and also not to spoil we undeserving and ungrateful wretches! As I'm sure you will have experienced, people get a little blase about even the best things when they are too freely available.

As always, your generosity amazes me. Thank you!

Kevin Francis

[Copywriter, Peter Stone]

Kevin,

Thank you.

I trust your opinion which is why I'm asking ... does selective mean, keep it short and sweet?

If so, how can I best accomplish that? Maybe work on headlines and openings for one session and some other section the next? How long should a session run?

Or how about I just jump in, fail, learn, and with the input of you and others, improve.

From my initial go at using Camtasia, I can tell the first few times through are going to be rough.

--Peter

[Copywriter, Kevin Francis]

Peter,

In terms of "selective" I was referring to the frequency of you posting critiques. To me, once a month would be fine, or even just whenever you saw something you felt worthy of comment.

Also, I'm guessing your audience here is quite knowledgeable so I would focus your comments on the big points that make a difference rather than the minutiae.

BTW, the "widget" doesn't give a very good definition of "widget" IMO. LOL!

Kevin Francis

[Copywriter, Peter Stone]

Kevin,

I think I know what you mean by, "The big points that make a difference".

But even though you insult zee power of zee widget, I'm more than open to your specific requests.

The same applies to the requests other may make.

Bring it.

--Peter