I wrote this article a little over a year ago about a scam attempt on www.craigslist.com that was pretty creative.  It was an interesting scam that took me awhile to figure out.  I'm happy to say there were several comments from people who saw the post and avoided a similar scam.Well I've posted something else to sell on craigslist.com, and I've got to say, the spammers and scammers just aren't trying as hard.  As an example, take a look at the email I got this morning:Hey, I saw your email at http://gainesville.craigslist.org/tix/1285280003.html on  7/23/2009   I just wanted to let you know how my brother-in-law became un-employed recently because of the the economic slowdown not long ago. However, he learned of a a way to make money online from home and even wrote a blog about it.   He is making 6,500 dollars each month now working online with Google.   You should take a look at his online journal: [Link Removed to Protect the Stupid]Many people have changed their lives after reading, and I am sure you can benefit from it.     Good Luck!micheline searles [estherw.boganzr387@gmail.com]If I'm going to join your multi-level marketing scheme, at least get a b... [More]

It's always nice when someone writes something nice about you and you don't even know it.  That was the case recently for us.  A client tipped us off to a brief writeup in Web Designer Magazine, a UK-based publication also available in the US at places like Barnes and Nobles.  I'd submitted some info months back , and I guess they liked what I had to say!  They published a Hot 100 list of cool sites, new technologies, industry experts, etc.  We were actually mentioned three times on the list!  I was originally asked what we saw as an emerging technology for 2009.  I mentioned Microsoft Silverlight and its benefits, and here's what ran in the magazine (numbers 9, 50, and 56):         Thanks to our PR firm, PR20/20, for their help in this!  

I'm sure that, like me, you were all impressed with our CEO Geoff's blog post about Using Facebook to Market a Business.  Big deal...so your audience was big enough that you needed a microphone.  You must get mobbed with paparrazzi just walking from your office to the coffee machine!Well, not to be outdone, here's a clip from my recent speech on Web 2.0 to the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce.  Sure, the crowd wasn't large enouhg for me to need a mic, and sure, I only spoke to the Chamber's West Council, but I had those people hanging on my every word.  Just watch the guy in the blue dress shirt nod as I drive home my point about using your blog's content to promote your company's Web site.  That man is inspired!   I mean, there wasn't an empty seat in the house, except for those few you can see in the video.  Those people were just getting seconds on the buffet (which was quite tasty, by the way.  Did Geoff's speech have food?). Trust me...besides that it was standing room only.  

Most people are visiting your Web site for the content. When I say “content” I’m referring to the actual information on your site. People will try to find your content and the names of buttons, images, forms, and navigation all play an important role. Content, navigation and images all go hand-in-hand, playing a major role in Web usability.     Your Web site will be well-received by users if the content:     1. answers a question or helps them complete a task    2. is easy to find and easy to understand     3. is accurate, up-to-date, and credible     4. images are obvious and related to the topic Web users skim and scan pages for information pertinent to the topic they are looking for.  Eventually, Web users do read the content but it’s not until they find the topic they are interested in; pursuing the Web page’s links, headings, short descriptions, bulleted lists, and so on---all very quickly.  A few colleagues in the Web industry volunteered to send me pages of their Web sites for content/navigation recommendations. I’ve highlighted both pros (green boxes) and cons (red boxes).  Keep in mind my ... [More]

April 5, 2007 I received a call from Kari Brill, The Orthopaedic Institute Marketing Director, about redesigning their company website: http://www.toi-health.com/ . This how the site looked before the redesign:   After several discussions and much brainstorming, Kari and I reached what we felt was an exciting redesign solution. The redesign solution was finalized on January 9, 2008, and the official Statement of Work (SOW) was sent to Kari. Approval from Kari followed on March 4, 2008. Some readers may be thinking this is a considerable amount of time from our initial contact to being awarded the contract, it is actually it is quite normal in my experience. Some background on Kari Brill and The Orthopaedic Institute: Tell us about your background and your role in the company? I graduated, with honors, from Southern Methodist University with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Creative Advertising (minor in Psychology) in December of 2000. I began working for The Orthopaedic Institute (TOI) in early 2003 as the company’s first Marketing Coordinator. During my first year with TOI, I evaluated and reallocated the marketing efforts and budget and was responsible for the design and implementation of all marketing pieces... [More]

This past weekend my friend Carol and I were watching television and one of those GEICO Caveman commercials came on - “so easy a caveman can do it.” Carol mentioned that the two Cavemen would be staring in a TV sitcom.  I wonder if the GEICO Gecko will make a cameo?So, I found this interesting...and I thought to myself...are trademark advertising characters going to be the wave of the future when it comes to entertainment on the telly?  If so, then the Keebler Elves, Tony the Tiger and the Aflac duck (even though I heard that the duck will be retired soon) better begin practicing their lines. Carol and I decided to search the Web for this Caveman movie; instead we stumbled upon this site, the Caveman Crib.  This site is hands-down AWESOME! First, you are greeted by the Caveman as you have arrived early for his party; he tells you just to take it easy until he’s done getting the ready. That’s when the fun begins!  From listening to the Caveman's Apple ipod, flipping through magazines and picking out an outfit for him to wear; this site is sure to keep you entertained.  You can click around from room to room--and play with a bunch of stuff.  It'... [More]