By chris on July 3, 2010
Here’s how Yaro Starak, internet marketing royalty, sets the stage to collect $25,000 simply by talking to 5 people. I occasionally enjoy Yaro’s blog and email newsletter for their clear demonstrations of direct marketing tactics. Most recently, Yaro pitched his forthcoming “Elite Entrepreneur Coaching Program” on this page. When it works, he’ll collect $25,000 by [...]
Posted in Marketing | Tagged direct sales, long sales letter, sales
By chris on July 2, 2010
During a meeting today someone said “writing for the web is easy, just use proper English!” Sadly, we all shook our heads and replied that no, writing for the web often means breaking the rules that you’ve learned through so many grammar lessons and style guides. Below are some rules for better web and interface [...]
Posted in product management, web design
By chris on May 27, 2010
A few more Kathy Sierra links, because you should have more Sierra in your brain: A video of Kathy Sierra at Carsonified 2008 – How to grow and nurture your community Notes from a presentation by Kathy Sierra in 2008 – Storyboarding for nonfiction
Posted in product management | Tagged kathy sierra
By chris on May 24, 2010
I’m a huge Kathy Sierra fan, so I was delighted to have this chance to watch her speak. You’re better off watching the video of Kathy Sierra speaking at the 2009 Business of Software conference, but it’s an hour long, so if you’re in a rush you may find these notes useful – I took [...]
Posted in product management | Tagged kathy sierra
By chris on May 13, 2010
Interesting post by Andrew Chen: http://andrewchenblog.com/2010/04/07/minimum-desirable-product-and-lean-startups-slides-included/ Min desirable vs. Min viable product. He advocates that a desirable product is better in some cases (high growth consumer-facing) than a viable product at the outset. From his slideshare: the IDEO human-centered design toolkit. They offer 2 free downloads as part of the HCD: HCD Toolkit (PDF) HCD [...]
Posted in product management | Tagged product design
By chris on March 29, 2010
SNASK from Mike Crozier. Croz is also an illustrator and graphic designer whose work is reminiscent of Barry McGee and the rest of that mid-2000′s illustration revolution that’s still in effect in design circles – lots of hand-drawn patterns and wrinkly, burly cartoon men. I’m a fan of his pizza box work, like this one: [...]
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged creativist
By chris on March 26, 2010
I recently published a 2-part article about successful OpenSky sellers on the OpenSky blog. Check ‘em out: 5 characteristics of a successful OpenSky seller, part 1 5 characteristics of a successful OpenSky seller, part 2 Thanks to Matt Bijur from KickApps (where I worked before OpenSky, insert shareholder disclaimer here) for talking to me about [...]
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged opensky
By chris on March 5, 2010
I have been a product manager long enough that I’ve begun to frame much of my world view in prodman terms – just this past weekend I spent an afternoon cruising the aisles of a supermarket, searching for foodstuffs and thinking “and this is exactly why folksonomies trump hierarchical taxonomies!” (if this sounds interesting, check [...]
Posted in Uncategorized
By chris on February 10, 2010
Update: See Will Evans‘s extremely thoughtful response in the comments – there’s a method to this madness that I was unaware of when I wrote the post. Thanks Will, for calling me to task so kindly. Sketches, wireframes, and mockups are an essential part of the product development process and popular standards are beginning to [...]
Posted in web design | Tagged getting real, process, product design, product management, web design
By chris on January 25, 2010
The NY Times recently interviewed Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh. Most of the published conversation focuses on building a good corporate culture. When asked for his best interview question, Tony offered this: What would you say is the biggest misperception that people have of you? Really good one. I usually ask “if I called someone who [...]
Posted in Uncategorized
Quickies