by Craig Fairley | Dec 28, 2009 | Brand development, Marketing Tips
I’ve heard it over and over again: Good customer service leads to good word of mouth marketing and ample rewards, but a recent incident has really brought this message home. I was at the movie theatre just before Christmas and the manager I’ve gotten to...
by Craig Fairley | Dec 10, 2009 | Best and Worst, Brand development, Marketing Tips
Last night I bought a new computer online from Apple. This morning in my inbox there was a message from Apple: “Thanks for purchasing your Mac.” Wow, a thank you! In the e-mail were links to tutorials on how to get the most out of my new purchase, with the...
by Craig Fairley | Sep 1, 2009 | Brand development, Marketing Tips
When we describe someone, we create a picture of them. We talk about physical attributes such as height, hair style and complexion. But we also talk about how they dress as well as how they walk and talk. What we look like and how we act identifies who we are to...
by Craig Fairley | Aug 3, 2009 | Design Sense, E-mail Marketing
A client recently asked why e-mail newsletters are often laid out in a rather narrow format. An e-newsletter should be formatted for a maximum of 600 pixels wide, while the most popular screen resolution is 1280 pixels wide. Why don’t they take advantage of...
by Craig Fairley | Jun 26, 2009 | E-mail Marketing
Pending legislation will align Canada’s anti-spam laws with the rest of the developed world. you need to be aware of it. Perhaps it is because of the current economic climate, but I have noticed a significant increase in unsolicited e-mail newsletters in my in...
by Craig Fairley | Jun 4, 2009 | Social Media, Websites
A client, Micah House, a nonprofit agency serving refugees, has been struggling with ways to effectively communicate information to its volunteers and supporters about information that can change daily. Volunteers who cook and serve meals to guests needed to know how...
by Craig Fairley | Jan 8, 2009 | Websites
My son has been researching associations for work and, based on an e-mail he sent me, he has clearly hit upon a few irritating sites. This two-minute test is the result of his frustration with navigating them – and it’s a good one. When I read it, I had to...
by Craig Fairley | Nov 27, 2008 | Best and Worst, Brand development, Websites
Three years ago, I proclaimed Fido Communications as “the Best of 2005” for their well laid out and appealing materials. I even described the user manual as something I wanted to read. It appears the adorable pooches of yesteryear have become guard dogs. Recently I...
by Craig Fairley | Jul 31, 2006 | Best and Worst, Websites
Let’s look at a web site that needs help: The Vatican (English site) (vatican.va) A venerable institution doesn’t have a web site to match. Navigation: The navigation is complex, with four different menus on the welcome page. As an added challenge, you...
by Craig Fairley | Jul 25, 2006 | Best and Worst, Design Sense
Last December in this newsletter I lamented the Maclean’s Magazine image makeover. Well, it turns out I was not alone. imaginews had a lot of feedback on that article. Also, Macleans must have had a lot of cancellations as a result of the changes because a...
