Tag: advertising

True Confession

True Confession: I am an idiot.

Once upon a time I created a Facebook ad for my first novel (Mayhem at the Happy Valley Motor Inn and Resort) with the assistance of the lovely and talented Lori Roberts Herbst (author of the Callie Cassidy Mysteries). You’ve likely seen my ad and maybe been annoyed by it because, well, it hasn’t been updated in FOREVER.

That’s because I can’t remember how to generate a new ad. Yes, I’m an idiot. The current (OLDER THAN DIRT) ad shows Mayhem with 239 reviews, when in fact, it now has 849 reviews. Mostly four and five star, I might add.

One of these days I’m going to tackle this issue. Just not this day. So, thanks for your patience and your love and support. I have THE BEST readers.

(By the way, there are currently two additional books in the series, and another sequel to be published in the near future—I’m just not savvy enough to create ads for them.)

Mayhem at the Happy Valley Motor Inn and Resort, along with all my other books, is available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Also available through Kindle Unlimited.

The Ad Game

There’s an ad for my first novel, Mayhem at the Happy Valley Motor Inn and Resort, now running on Facebook. My Facebook friend and author, Lori Roberts Herbst, helped me set the ad up at extreme peril to her own sanity. Now that’s what I call a good friend.

So far the ad, in conjunction with my book now being listed on Kindle Unlimited, has increased my book’s visibility and its sales in a positive manner. I’ve been a bit obsessive in measuring the difference between ad costs and the number of pages read. According to my calculations I’ve either made a profit of around one million dollars or $15.65. Really, it’s too close to call.

Studly Doright, of course reminds me that there’s no profit until I’ve recouped the costs of editing, cover design, and the other bits that went into self-publishing a novel. Sure hoping that million dollars is closer to the right estimate.

Peace, people!

Mayhem at the Happy Valley Motor Inn and Resort https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08P76RBRD/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_TP3VS136D2NK2NG2D65G

Ad Fail?

Studly Doright and I recently drove to Dallas from our home in Florida, most of the time taking advantage of the interstate highway system. I took a few photos along the way—none of them very memorable.

But in Texas a billboard ad campaign caught my eye.

Snakes! Why did it have to be snakes?

Maybe I’m being a wimp, but I don’t exactly relish the image of a rattlesnake seatbelt. I call this an ad fail.

Now, a similar seatbelt billboard didn’t bother me. In fact, it’s pretty clever.

It’s a western belt. In Texas. I like it.

Am I wrong? Would the snake ad make you want to buckle up?

Peace, people!

Love and Advertising

Studly Doright and I are semi-binging Mad Men on Netflix. If you haven’t watched the show, it deals with the high energy world of Madison Avenue advertising in the 60’s. I’m in love with the fashions, the hairstyles, and the business of ideas.

There was a time in my life when I wanted to go into advertising. I had a great uncle in the business and he discouraged my teenage ambitions. Women don’t really belong in the ad business, he’d told me. I know better now.

Watching Mad Men makes me wish I’d pursued my dreams. Not because of the booze and the rampant infidelity, but because of the creative give and take. I think maybe I’d have thrived in that environment.

And the clothes! Oh my goodness I want a dress like the ones the women wear in the show.

Aren’t they gorgeous?

But, back to ideas. I still have great ideas. My head is always full of images and copy for products and services. I want to work for the ad team that has the Geico account. Dammit, I want to make that little gecko say things he’s never said.

I reckon at 63 I’m too old to go into the advertising business. For one thing, I doubt I have the energy necessary for that fast paced world. Heck, I probably didn’t have the energy when I was 22, though.

Everyone, I suppose, has a dream that’s gone dormant. What did you want to be before you became what you are? Did geckos figure into the equation?

Peace and love, people.

Love in Any Language

I’ve watched the video in the attached link at least fifty times, and even though I can’t understand the words at the end I love this advertisement. They might be trying to sell me a new mobile phone, but I really don’t care. I adore this ad.

https://adage.com/creativity/work/bouygues-christmas-2018/959186

Peace, people.

Snapshot #42.5

The photo is just so-so, since the paper was behind a plastic screen, but I couldn’t help but wonder if this story heralds the beginning of the end to the Trump campaign or if it means he’s pulling money from Florida advertising to be used in another manner. At any rate I’m calling this one, “Don’t Let the Door Hit You on Your Way Out.”

Free Range Chicken

While most of my readers reside in the U.S., many do not, and I forget that not all of our pop culture gets exported. 

Some of the best commercials on American television are those for GEICO insurance. And since GEICO is an acronym for Government Employees Insurance Company, it’s highly unlikely that these ads are broadcast outside the U.S. Please correct me if I’m wrong about that, non-U.S. residents.

Here’s one of my favorite GEICO ads:

http://youtu.be/3v1wFKKWMCA
Then there’s this one:
http://youtu.be/8R0W5QqWjIg
And this one:

http://youtu.be/pvcj9xptNOQ
And I didn’t even include any featuring the GEICO gecko spokesman. I’ll save him for another day.

Peace, people!

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