15 Common Grammar Mistakes

(via copyblogger)

What Should Your QR Code Link To?

Last summer the USPS offered postage discounts for mailers using QR codes and this summer they will be running that promotion again. One common misconception that a marketer can make is “I have nothing to link to”. You may not have something that will make national headlines but you can still come up with something that will get your customer base buzzing.  Here is a breakdown of what you would have seen if you scanned a QR code in 2011:

        40.7% led readers to content with a sales focus providing information about products and services
        23.2% of the ads led to sites with a branding and engagement focus
        12.7% showcased a video
        7.8% showcased promotions and contests
        3.5% provided miscellaneous info, such as store locators, addresses, and hours
        3.0% linked to a brand or company’s Facebook, Twitter, or other social network presence
        2.2% downloaded an app
        1.0% received an coupon or special offer.

(via Print in the Mix)

Postal Reform Update

Here’s a word from our CEO Tim Johnson on what our elected officials are up to with USPS reform:

With regard to Postal Reform, it is difficult to find any good news but I would like to share a glimmer of encouragement.  The Senate leaders and key sponsors of reform legislation agree that a bill needs to pass soon.  There it is and that’s better than nothing; our elected officials want to do something; that’s a step in the right direction!

Senate Majority Leader Reid (D-NV) wants to have postal legislation on the floor before the end of March.  In my opinion, the Senate’s leading bill, S. 1789, does not truly reform the USPS but it will give the system enough financial breathing room to operate for a couple of years.  Currently, S. 1789 has a budget score of negative $6.3 billion; however, it appears likely that concessions will have to be made in order to get S. 1789 to pass the Senate and those concessions will cause that score to rise.

The House has a very different approach to postal reform.  Nothing in the House is currently scheduled for full House consideration.

Here’s what I believe we can hope for and we should push for:
1)    the House and Senate pass their very different bills and then
2)    a workable and beneficial compromise is developed in conference.

I don’t have a crystal ball but it seems quite likely that postal reform may not be approved until a lame duck session after the elections; that’s what happened in 2006.  I fully recognize that this is not overwhelmingly wonderful news but it is better than a ‘sharp stick in the eye.’  Do you feel encouraged?

Augmented Reality Begins Its Ascent

In the last few months there has seemingly been breakthrough after breakthrough of potential uses for Augmented Reality (AR). This clip shows the potential of incorporating 3D objects rather than only using flat objects. Bonus: Bert and Ernie from Sesame Street.

(via The Daily What)

3 Essentials When Asking for Donations

One of the most difficult things to do is to ask for someone’s money. When you believe in a cause it does make asking a bit easier but you still need a game plan. Here are a few tips that will give you a structure to work within next time you need a donation.

1. The opening line has to ask the recipient for a financial gift.

This may sound obvious, but you would be amazed how long it can take ‘ask’ letters to get to the point. It’s not rude to ask someone for a donation to a charitable cause. What is disrespectful is to waste their time doing so.

2. You must, absolutely must, have a PS.

Oh, the arguments I’ve had over the years about this piece of marketing schtick! To the point where, in a previous job, I hid from my boss (the letter’s signatory) that I was including a PS in his name to avoid the arguments I knew would result. Yes, you might hate them. So do I. But — you know what? — they’re the second part of every ‘ask’ letter I read from any organisation who contact me… after the first line. So, your PS must re-inforce your opening sentence.

3. Ask for a specific amount today.

I cringe when I receive a mailing that, finally, eventually, embarrassedly, gets around to asking me for a gift — and then refuses to tell me what the organisation’s need is! Do you need a one-off gift of £50? Or £500? Or a regular monthly donation of £5? TELL ME! If you don’t tell me, one of two things will happen: A) you’ll get nothing because I’m (i) confused, and/or (ii) don’t believe you really need it if you couldn’t bring yourself to ask for it; or B) you’ll get far less than you were hoping, even though I was clearly warm enough to make a gift simply because you didn’t tell me what you needed! And ask for the gift today: it’s only a word, but it imbues your letter with a sense of urgency. Especially important, I might add, if you’re a university that’s been around for nine centuries…

(via Stephen Tall)