Your Brain vs. Your Coworker's Brain

Perhaps it is because I minored in Psychology, but reading the article by Webdesigner Depot about the  Left and Right Brain and how they effect your brain's creativity was particularly interesting to me.

In an advertising agency, you always have the stereotypical battle between Account Services and the Creative Department. This has always seemed silly to me, but now I understand more of why this happens. They think is such different ways; their brains work in opposite directions, both trying to create a masterpiece for the client. Account Service tends to want to directly make creative elements more "logical," while the creative team wants to push the client outside of their boundaries, with a more abstract/out-of-the-box approach.  It's a classic case.

I think every agency should encourage their staff take the creativity test.  It has the potential to allow employees to appreciative the way in which their coworkers solve problems and think on a daily basis.

My results showed that I am 47% left-brained and 53% right-brained.  I almost couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the results.  It really does explain a lot because I work in the digital department and have to strategize ideas per client objectives, as well as generate estimates, work-back schedules, and create plans to execute our ideas.

Photo Credit: revcruz

Do you think your results are accurate for you? Does this help you see why you interact the way you do with your coworkers?

All of These "New" Words PART II

Last week I posted a Quick Reference Guide for Facebook. I created one for Twitter as well. Clients will sometimes confuse a fan with a follower, a mention with a RT, a direct message with a wall post... You get the idea. So here is my quick reference guide.

Followers – The number of people on Twitter who follow your Tweets.

Following – The number of people you are following on Twitter.

Tweet – 140-character update on behalf of you or your company on Twitter. (Similar to a status update on Facebook)

Hashtag or # - This helps monitor trending discussions on Twitter. You can track hashtags using Twitter’s search functionality.

Mention – Also known as an “@ reply.” A Mention is when someone on Twitter mentions your Twitter username after the “@” symbol. Mentions are public to everyone on Twitter.

@Reply – See “Mention.”

DM or Direct Message – This is a message that goes directly and privately to someone on Twitter. Typing “D [insert username here] will send a private message to that Twitter user.

RT or Retweet - A "Retweet" is a reply to a Tweet and includes the original message you find particularly interesting. Usually, a Retweet looks something like this: “I completely agree - RT @McDonalds: Our new snack wraps are delicious!” In this particular case, you are Retweeting what McDonald’s already Tweeted. (Disclaimer: this was never an actual Tweet from McDonald's, just a made up example.)

Bio – One-line description of yourself or your company in 160characters or less. You can view my Twitter bio here.

Favorites – A place for a company or person to publicly “save” Tweets they like best on Twitter.

Trends – The most popular topics on Twitter. These can be found on your Twitter homepage. There are “Worldwide Trends” as well as “Local Trends” that can be set from your Twitter homepage.

search.twitter.com – A place to search topics by keyword, location, dates, etc., on Twitter.

URL Shorterners – Since you only have 140 characters per Tweet on Twitter, URL shorteners will help you maximize the space. An couple of examples of a URL shortening toare is bit.ly and TinyURL.

Twitpic - A website that allows users to easily post pictures to Twitter. Using your Twitter username and password, Twitpic will allow you to upload images to Twitter.

Twitter Buttons – Allows you to embed a Twitter icon linking to your Twitter page on your own website. Goodies > Buttons will generate the code you need.

Twitter Widgets - Allows you to display your most recent Twitter updates on any web page. Goodies > Widgets > My Website > Profile Widget

Photo credit: Robert Scoble

So, tell me... Have I missed any of the key vocabulary words or explanations for Twitter? Comments always welcome.

All of These "New" Words PART I

I developed this Facecbook Quick Vocab Sheet for a few of our clients, as I have seen the blinds go down many times when I start to use these "new" words like "Page" and "News Feed."

I thought I would share with you in case it could help you or your clients to use as a quick reference guide.

Fan Page or “Page” - A public profile that enables you to share your business and products with Facebook users.

Fans – Facebook users who publicly endorse your Fan Page. Fans of a Fan Page are similar to Friends on your Profile Page.

Insights – A tool within a Page that allows the administrator to view analytics of the Page. Insights includes an activity graph of interactions, demographic information, post quality, and more. Data may be exported from Insights into a CSV file for Excel.

Page Favorite – When Page A publicly endorses Page B, by listing B on A’s Page.

Reviews – A listing of company ratings on a Page, based on Fan feedback.

Discussions - A message board where Fans can interact with each other and the company via a “topic.”

Facebook Fan Boxes - Allows you to embed the latest activity from your Page on your own website. Add Fan Box to your site will link you to a piece of code. You can copy and paste this code into your website. Users will be able to become a Fan of your Page directly from your website.

Profile Page or “Profile” – A personal page on Facebook, representing a person, not a business.

Friends – People you connect with personally on your Profile.

Wall – A section in your Profile or Fan Page, where others can write messages and post pictures/videos. The wall is a public writing space, so others who view your Profile or Page can see what has been written/posted on your wall.

News Feed - Found on the homepage of your personal Profile, the News Feed will provide details of your Friends’ activities, Fan Page activity, upcoming events, application updates, etc.

Privacy Settings (for your Profile) - Publicly Available Information (PAI) continues to change via Facebook.

Make sure you go to Account > Privacy Settings and adjust your settings to reflect what information you wish to share with the public. You can check to see what you share by going to Account > Privacy Settings > Profile Information > Preview my Profile.

Photo credit: weeta

Am I missing any of the pertinent Facebook vocabulary? Please feel free to elaborate or add any in the comments section below.

Effective or Too Graphic?

There has been a lot of controversy lately over the UK Text Messaging Public Service Announcement. People are claiming that it is too graphic, bothersome, and disturbing, just to name a few. While reading about the problems people are having with the campaign, one other public service campaign comes to my mind: The Montana Meth Project. (Warning: This website is very graphic, and will make you uncomfortable.)

Isn’t that the point? To shock you? Of course it makes you uncomfortable. It makes you uneasy, and probably want to cry at one point or another. But people watch it. They listen to it, reflecting on their decisions and the consequences they have on themselves and others. It is my belief that this text messaging PSA will indirectly save lives, as did the Montana Meth Project, through shock marketing.

The results from the Montana Meth Project illustrate a 63% decrease in teen meth use, 72% decrease in adults, and a 62% decrease in Meth-related crime. Now, riddle me this: Do you think this campaign would have impacted as many people if they had a smiling little girl in pig tails, holding a puppy? The answer is, no, it wouldn’t. Yes, the PSA for text messaging is graphic, and makes you reflect on how lucky you have been thus far, texting and/or emailing while driving, but I'll tell you right now, I will never text and drive again. Even though I've known all along it was wrong, I always had in the back of my mind, “It won’t happen to me.”

While I was driving yesterday, my phone went off -- alerting me of a new message -- and as I reached for it to see what my friend had to say, the image of the young girl in the back seat popped into my head. I waited until I had parked my car (5 minutes later) to check my phone. Nothing sent to my phone is more important to me than my life, or the lives of the drivers around me. As you can see, this PSA has struck a cord with me. It definitely upset me, but it also made me reflect on how much I love my family and friends and never want to be in that position.

As a marketer, and a person directly affected by this video, I think this agency has absolutely accomplished their mission. Yes, they stepped on a few toes in the process, but this PSA has become a worldwide phenomenon. It is a successful controversy, virally exposing millions of people to the message. I say, “Bravo!” to the creative agency behind this message. As hard as it was to watch, I am confident that this video will save at least one life.

What do you think? When trying to portray a message about decisions with serious consequences, how far is too far? Please feel free to comment below (whether you agree or disagree with me) and let me know your thoughts.

Creatively Stuck

“When you come to a roadblock, take a detour.” -Mary Kay Ash

Brainstorming can be enjoyable, but also very frustrating. Some days the creative thoughts are just not there. While brainstorming for an out-of-the-box idea - especially in a short amount of time – many find themselves completely stuck.



Whether your spend 40+ hours per week in an agency or other office setting or from the courteous of your own home, finding your own personal Utopia is sometimes harder than it may seem.

It is interesting to see where each person finds their inevitable safe-haven, where creative juices begin to flow again.

Using Twitter, I asked all of my followers to respond to the question:
“Where is your favorite place to brainstorm?”

These were my favorites:

@JasonBarlow: favorite place to brainstorm? @starbucks with ipod and a grande drip (or iced green tea if its very hot out!).

@martin001: my favorite place ever to brain storm is in the shower under hot water!

@WarkwickMerry: Brainstorming doesn't need a place, just a mind set - infact a lack of mind set. Get out of my mind so I am out of my own way

@meghantb: on my couch after a few bourbons.

@Jason40243: In a red 80s model Ford truck w/ghost flames painted on the hood and an aftermarket torque kit under the body in the park w/beer.

@pedroq: For me, any spot with a good outside view and a cup of coffee is a great place to brainstorm

@nickrice: best ideas usually come to me when I'm least trying to generate ideas: the shower, drive home, right before bed, as soon as I wake

Everyone has to find the place where inhibitions are freed and perception is enhanced. When you are stuck in a rut, and can't seem to find your way out, locate that place. Whether it is a state of the mind, physical location, or both, find it. There. Right there, is your big idea.

Photo Credit: Jalalspages

Do you have a place similar to this? Please feel free to comment below, link to images/videos, etc.

Why Over-Complicate Everything?

A  common trend I have noticed with technology/interactive/web-based companies is that they tend to over-complicated every aspect of the web to their clients.  Yes, the web can be complicated, but it's all about the explanation.  A great example of explanation is illustrated by Lee Lefever of Common Craft.

I was in a meeting a couple of weeks ago with a client that uses us for all aspects of traditional advertising. They use another company for all web-bases services -- against my better judgment, of course. ;)   There was the awkward run-in at first; all flexing our marketing muscles and throwing buzzwords back and forth... you know the drill. 

During the actual meeting, the client almost seemed scared of this company.  I think this web company saw it as job security to try and confuse the client beyond belief.  Maybe that is the way to make it to the top. I don't know.  But, I do know that I will never get to the top that way.  

Of course, some clients are a little more savvy than others, but in my opinion, taking the time to explain what is happening and why is what will separates you from "the other guys." 

What do you think?  Where do you find the line between over-educating the client and intimidating them?

What a Trip: Marketing Profs Digital Mixer...

The MarketingProfs Digital Mixer that I attended this weekend was simply amazing. (thank you vimarc) I met an awesome group of people, and learned more than I ever thought I could.  Leaving Arizona and traveling back to the Bluegrass State, I feel energized and ready to put what I have learned into action.  I am going to be updating my blog more often, first of all.  (Sorry I have been bad about this everyone. I promise it will get better.)

Who did I meet? So many people that it is impossible to list them all.  The key presenters that I met were Gary Vaynerchuk, Jason Baer, Chris Brogan, Chris Penn. The conference was such a treat, with a mix of panel, presentations, engaging the audience... 

This was actually the first conference when I have utilized twitter.  Tweetdeck saved my you-know-what. (That may have been distracting, pardon,  but that is my favorite ad from Nike Women ever.) I was able to be in a search path session and read what was going on in the social path session.  It was basically like I was in both sessions at once.  Talk about increasing your ROI!

Gary Vaynerchuk dominated lunch on Thursday with his keynote presentation. (Thank you Hubspot for shooting this video!) I could feel the energy in the room , and I thought he was going to do a cartwheel on stage.  I had my camera ready... Gary is the Dane Cook of social marketing and wine. period.

Needless to say, I cannot wait to get started on all these take-aways from the conference. I have some bomb ideas that I will be meeting with my managers about asap. Not gunna lie though, I feel a little overwhelmed with everything I have ticking up there, so I need to work on gathering my thoughts today and putting some action items in writing. I'll let you know how that goes... :)

Hope everyone has a great weekend. 

Talk soon,

Kati