by Nedra Weinreich | Dec 19, 2006 | Blog, Miscellaneous
Random House, the publishers of the new book
Made to Stick, which I
reviewed a few weeks ago, loves social marketers. They understand that if anyone needs to know how to make their messages stick, it’s social marketers, who are trying to help people become healthier, increase their well-being and improve our society.
I happen to agree, which is why I’ve been helping Random House get the book out into the greater social marketing community. It’s your turn to get in on the action, because Random House has given me a stack of copies of Made to Stick, along with a bunch of fun promo items with the book’s six principles of stickiness (Simple, Unexpected, Concrete, Credible, Emotional, Stories) emblazoned on them — including mouse pads, magnets, post-it notes and sticky bookmark tabs.
I am going to be giving away “Made to Stick” gift packs to nine lucky Spare Change readers. All you need to do is send me an email at “weinreich at social-marketing.com” (substitute the @ for at) with the words “Made to Stick” in the title before midnight PST on this Wednesday 12/20/06. I will randomly pick nine winners and will contact you if you win for your mailing address (sorry, US addresses only please – I’m covering shipping myself).
You do not need to write anything in the body of the email, but if you would like to provide some comments to me about what you like about the blog or what topics you would like to see covered in the future, I would greatly appreciate getting your feedback.
I’m excited about this opportunity to give out holiday gifts to my readers. But even if you are not chosen for the giveaway, this is still a book that you will want to have on your bookshelf and use extensively. You can pre-order it at Amazon and start off the new year with a new framework for making change happen. At the very least, check out the Heath Brothers’ just-born Made to Stick blog, which opens with a post on how the concept of calories has been presented to the public in a very non-sticky way and provides suggestions for how to better get the idea across.
Technorati Tags: made to stick, book, free
by Nedra Weinreich | Dec 10, 2006 | Blog, Miscellaneous
Here is a spectacular view (click link to zoom) of our sun setting over Mars. I was going to make a point about social marketing and taking a different view of the problem you are trying to address. But in the end I decided to shut up and let you enjoy the picture. Sometimes you just have to stop and smell the rovers.
via Wil Wheaton
by Nedra Weinreich | Dec 6, 2006 | Blog, Miscellaneous
Here is Brian Sack’s take on
NYC’s trans fat ban at The Banterist:
I thought it would be just another lonely night nursing my Guinness in my smoke-free watering hole – until he caught my eye. By “he” I mean New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
The mayor was glowing like a guardian angel sent from heaven to protect us all from everything. Our eyes locked. Within seconds I found him next to me, making sure I was properly seated on the stool so that I didn’t fall off and hurt myself.
I was humbled by his compassion and love as he checked the soles of my shoes to see that they weren’t perilously worn. He looked up at me and smiled.
“Thank you for banning trans-fats,” I said, saluting him with a flavorless French fry.
“My pleasure,” said the mayor as he set about blunting the bar’s dangerously sharp cocktail toothpicks.
He fixed a steely gaze on another patron’s hamburger and snapped his fingers. Immediately the City Council and Board of Health appeared behind him.
“I want all hamburgers to be cooked for 85 minutes,” said the mayor, “only then can we make every burger in this great city safe. God help us.”
His entourage nodded in unison and immediately passed legislation. I was impressed by his incredible power and Bono-like concern for us New Yorkers…
Read the rest here.
Technorati Tags: trans fat, humor
by Nedra Weinreich | Nov 16, 2006 | Blog, Miscellaneous
This is way too much fun not to share. OK Go is a band that has made two of the best music videos I’ve seen in a long time (okay, well, I haven’t really watched many music videos since I was in high school in the heyday of MTV, but that’s beside the point). They are original and fun to watch, and done in just one take with one camera (though I’m sure they had to scrap many attempts before nailing it). The band members would seem to be unlikely candidates as dancers, but that just adds to the effect.
I came across the first one a couple of months ago…
and thought it was unbeatable until I just saw OK Go’s other dance video on treadmills.
There have been so many people making their own videos of the “Million Ways” dance that OK Go started a contest for the best cover version posted to YouTube, with winners joining them to dance on stage at a show. So far 183 people have submitted entries, including a pair of Canadian bronze medal figure skaters who did a version of the dance in a skating routine. That’s the way to get your fans involved!
OK Go has a very distinct brand now in my mind, and I would not have known about the band if they had not posted their videos on YouTube. By “giving away” a sample of their music and personality for free, they’ve done a great job of building awareness and making me look forward to their next offering. Is there anything you can give away that will pique interest and make people want more of your product?
Technorati Tags: OK Go, marketing
by Nedra Weinreich | Nov 9, 2006 | Blog, Miscellaneous
I would love help with either or both of these technical questions:
(1) Does anyone know of a way to import html tables into Microsoft Word for Mac keeping the tables intact?
(2) Does anyone have advice regarding whether to switch to Blogger Beta now or wait for the kinks to be ironed out? I have read people raving about it as well as people having problems.
If you have ideas or advice, please leave a comment or email me. Thanks so much!
Technorati Tags: html, microsoft, word, tables, blogger beta, technical support
by Nedra Weinreich | Nov 7, 2006 | Blog, Miscellaneous
WASHINGTON, DC—Landslide victories for politicians in all 50 states indicate that voters still tend to elect politicians over non-politicians.
WASHINGTON, DC—After months of aggressive campaigning and with nearly 99 percent of ballots counted, politicians were the big winners in Tuesday’s midterm election, taking all 435 seats in the House of Representatives, retaining a majority with 100 out of 100 seats in the Senate, and pushing political candidates to victory in each of the 36 gubernatorial races up for grabs.
While analysts had been predicting a possible sweep for months, and early exit-poll numbers seemed favorable, politicians reportedly exceeded even their own expectations, gaining an impressive 100 percent of the overall national vote.
“It’s a good night to be a politician,” said Todd Akin, an officeholder from Missouri. “The American people have spoken, and they have unanimously declared: ‘We want elected officials to lead this nation.'”
Or, if you prefer something social marketing related:
ATLANTA, GA—Bouts of wanderlust and deep yearning have led a majority of RHS sufferers to head off in the direction of them twinklin’ stars.
ATLANTA, GA—Officials from the Centers For Disease Control said Monday that preliminary results from a long-term study showed that the vast majority of America’s cowboys suffer from Restless Heart Syndrome, a disorder categorized by deep pangs of yearning, usually following extended, alternating bouts of lethargy and wanderlust.
Nedra helps nonprofits and public agencies create positive change on health and social issues through social marketing and transmedia storytelling strategies at Weinreich Communications since founding the company in 1995. She helps organizations make a difference for the populations they serve by strategically designing programs that draw on state-of-the-art behavior change techniques, digital media approaches and the power of stories. 
