Comments for Derry O'Donnell's Fantastic...

Comment on Turn websites, blogs etc into PDFs by derryo

derryo — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 10:45:29 +0000

Thanks, I wasn’t aware of those sites.

Comment on Turn websites, blogs etc into PDFs by inshin

inshin — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 10:12:01 +0000

Derry, this is brilliant, thanks for that.

Also very good site for converting PDF to Word http://www.pdftoword.com/ and PDF to Excel http://www.pdftoexcelonline.com/

Online versions are free

Comment on Print media starts to fight back by derryo

derryo — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:14:03 +0000

Hi Mark, Thanks for commenting. My understanding of what they are fighting back against is the movement of advertisers to online marketing.

Yes, they all undoubtedly have their own online offerings, but the core of their business activities lies in print. I think it’s reasonable for them to promote the power of print rather than pour all their resources into that which is believed to be killing them.

Certainly experiment with new ideas, but not as the main business activity. I think that’s part of the reason for their decline, rushing to have a great online presence but with no idea of how to make money from it.

I don’t believe, in fairness, that they are trying to create a ‘them and us’ debate. That debate was started a long time ago, probably when the first banner ad was sold back in the 1980’s.

Comment on Print media starts to fight back by Mark Nagurski

Mark Nagurski — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 13:55:05 +0000

I’m a huge fan of print magazines and spend an unhealthy amount of time reading them and a worrying amount buying them.

The format has many advantages over the web and magazines have stood up much better than newspapers in the face of declining ad revenues and the growth of digital media.

But … this video doesn’t sit well with me at all.

I wonder what they think they’re fighting back against?

I’d wager that almost everyone of the magazines they represent publish online editions and generate advertising revenues through them. Many of them have iPad offerings in the pipeline and most will have bloggers on staff.

They’re as much a part of the online ecosystem as any web-native publication. With their considerable clout and resources they should be leading the way, experimenting with new ideas and championing the web and new offerings rather than ‘fighting back’.

Yes, anyone who predicts the death of the magazine is probably over egging the pudding but surely these publishers could find a way of promoting their undoubted strengths without trying to create a meaningless ‘them and us’ debate.

Comment on Print media starts to fight back by derryo

derryo — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 17:30:25 +0000

I have to agree with you Margaret. Also I find if I’m reading online I generally skim over news and articles and can get easily distracted clicking on other links, status updates etc. To truly immerse myself in a subject there is nothing quite like print.

Comment on Print media starts to fight back by ayearinredwood

ayearinredwood — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 17:24:19 +0000

While I enjoy and partake of the ’social media’ scene…. nothing can beat a browse through a magazine… the touch and feel, the look, the smell… none of that can be replicated on line!

Comment on Turn websites, blogs etc into PDFs by 5kidswdisabilities

5kidswdisabilities — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 15:24:57 +0000

My son, who is legally blind, uses this all of the time. He also uses his IPhone to take a picture of what it so be read and then reads it as a PDF file.
Lindsey Petersen
http://5kidswdisabilities.wordpress.com

Comment on Sometimes Social Media is useless, go where your customers are by Caroline Rodgers

Caroline Rodgers — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 17:37:12 +0000

good article Derry! I am more interested in the social media for your target audience then farming in particular!

Comment on Sometimes Social Media is useless, go where your customers are by Claire Boyles

Claire Boyles — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 19:39:42 +0000

Great Post Derry!

You’re right of course, marketing needs to be done WHERE YOUR customers are!!

The farming keywords is interesting because I see a growth in young farmers being internet savvy & I wonder how long it will take before the farming industry does start embracing the interweb.

Right now though farm shows & ploughing comps are the best places to be.

Glad to hear some common sense

Comment on Sometimes Social Media is useless, go where your customers are by Aislinn O'Connor

Aislinn O'Connor — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 19:23:24 +0000

At last – some common sense on the subject!!

I’m also a major fan of social networking, but irritated beyond endurance by people who insist it’s the only way to go. Of course it isn’t, & it’s as unrealistic as it’s patronising to suggest otherwise.

The essence of good marketing is connecting with existing, prospective and potential customers, providing a product that will meet their needs, and making them aware that it’s available. That means you have to meet them where they are, not where the “experts” say they ought to be.

In an industry full of hype &, frankly, downright nonsense, this article is a real breath of fresh air.