jackhardy Public relations, Technology

Why I will buy an Apple iPad in 2011

Apple iPad

Today Apple unveiled the innovative tablet computer, the iPad. As usual, the carefully crafted Apple marketing  hype machine provided widely speculated and carefully leaked information about the iPad that preceded the actual introduction today. According to the company, the iPad is “Our most advanced technology in a magical and revolutionary device at an unbelievable price.” Wow, that’s a lot of adjectives in a single sentence. Without buying into all of the marketing hype, I do agree that it does have some very cool new features in a slim 9×7 package. Most importantly, I believe it is a revolutionary product, like the iPhone, and that it will eventually replace my MacBook Pro laptop computer. It’s a slick enhanced version of the iPhone, albeit with computer-esque features. Consider this: it allows easy e-mail access, beautiful video playback, easy photo review and sharing and the ability to purchase and read e-books with simplicity and comfort. No eye strain or small screens that require me to flip pages every 5-7 seconds, like the Kindle application on my iPhone. From an avid book reader perspective, screen size matters. There is an innovative feature that allows a virtual keyboard, identical to the iPhone software that will surely please and or alienate some who prefer a more tactile input. Make no mistake about it, this is the computer of the future! When I looked at the seemingly inadequate storage size, from 16GB to the superior solid state 64GB, I realized three things: 1) the second generation will surely have a larger storage capacity, just like the second and third generation of iPhones, 2) the utility of this product matches how people will use it (more on that in a minute and 3) I will purchase one next year because the price will drop, new features will be added and the inevitable bugs will be fixed. Now, back to point No. 2: When was the last time you spent time updating Excel spreadsheets or typing a novel in Microsoft Word or even storing gigabytes of video or pictures while in transit or waiting in line? Even when I take public transportation or business trips, everything that I usually need to do can be accomplished with this iPad. The proliferation of off-site storage options either through my home computer system or via online storage sites will eliminate all of these concerns in the future. The beauty is that this is simply a lightweight, network access device! (Did you notice the sneaky data plan option from AT&T.) That’s right, sync it to your .me or Google account and you have access to all of your documents and photos stored elsewhere. It’s lightweight, easy to read and for newspapers, which are all going digital, the addition of photos and video makes it a perfect fit. What you begin to realize is that this matches human behavior and alters the use of computer laptops into the evolving market of smart tablets. As an Apple iPhone and MacBook Pro laptop user, it’s currently a luxury with redundant technology. However, there is most certainly an iPad in my future. My only question is always the same and it has to do with AT&T. Will I still be able to use a software hack and connect my iPhone to my iPad to get broadband Internet access when I can’t find WiFi? Or will I care?

jackhardy Journalism

Are bloggers really journalists?

Just read a fascinating opinion piece in The Daily News, by Andre Stepankowski, the city editor for this daily news media outlet. The thrust of his article is that “bloggers” or “citizen journalists” are not really journalists. And, he backs it up with some very compelling arguments. Read it here: http://tinyurl.com/l55xas. Now, I believe many people realize that bloggers are not professional journalists. And, I do believe a blog can be a useful forum to discuss and exchange ideas as long as ALL comments (with the exception of profanity-laden tirades and ads for Viagra) are allowed to be posted and remain unedited and uncensored. Sadly, that is not the case with some blogs that violate this Internet guideline of transparency. In fact, some spiteful blog moderaters will go so far as to take snippets of official news releases (as if they are doing your organization a favor!) or cut and past content out of context and then editorialize or skew the meaning and misinterpret the facts. What’s perhaps even more worrisome or hilarious, depending on how you see it, are the pseudonyms that hide the true identity of real people. Some people believe that if they comment on their own opinion pieces, masquerading as a different person, it will support their own cause. (With some blogs and new Internet tools, it’s fairly easy to see through the facade and identify the person when you examine the digital signature of the source). It is a laughable paradox that by promoting themselves, they actually do a disservice to the entire blogosphere. And, as Stepankowski puts it,  “No one is talking about muzzling anyone here. Everyone is entitled to have his say, provided it doesn’t libel or slander anyone. But, as the saying goes, opinions are cheap because everyone has one, and not everyone knows the difference between opinion and fact.” Don’t you love America!

jackhardy Customer service, Marketing, Public relations, Sales

Marketing and PR on a shoestring budget

When I started my business nearly eight years ago (March 2001), the U.S. was entering a period of economic stress, with unemployment rising and layoffs, many industry sectors were experiencing a downtown. Entering 2009, we’re in a similar position, arguably more significant, however the challenge to any business marketing and PR effort is the same: do more with less–or at least maintain in the face of economic gloom. In this blog, I’ll explore a few of these ideas in more detail so that your business can prosper & grow in spite of the lean times. For now, let me suggest a few tips:

Be resourceful- use existing resources, employees. Provide training where needed. Learn a new skill.

Research/survey your customer base – What do you really know about your best customers or the prospective customers you are trying to reach?

Targeted advertising – don’t waste your money on coupon clippers, yellow pages advertising or broad-based advertising. Use pay-per clicks, targeted e-mail distribution lists and reach out to your existing customer base.

Use Effective PR – this means using publicity techniques using time-tested PR tactics that deliver attention, buzz and more importantly customers.