Future of magazines, er, digital content?

The hyper-rumored iTablet (insert better name here) from Apple will change how we interact with media, not just print (newspaper and magazines). Advertising will be highly targeted thanks to location-based content and ads. But the real fun will be in the interaction between the device and surrounding media/technology/etc.

Imagine you’re scanning your fav mag on the iTablet as you watch the big game on TV. What if the two device/technologies could share content info? Or what if all the apps you purchased for your iPhone worked on your iTablet which then communicated with your HDTV? Better yet, what if the thing made phone calls… and not through a cell carrier but wifi direct? Goosebumps!

Watch how Time, Inc. envisions Sports Illustrated working on a tablet device.

Thoughts?

Later…
Chad

Is Steve Jobs Mayan?

Maybe Apple was just inspired by the Mayan culture. See any similarities?

Interesting, huh?

Here’s another thing to keep you thinking. Let’s consider Apple’s logo—an apple with a bite out of it. Now dust off your bible and flip to Genesis 3. While the text isn’t specific on what type of fruit Eve ate, it’s widely depicted as an apple. Dunn dunn dun. What’s that have to do with the Mayans. I’m not sure. But they believe the world will end in 2012. If you’re a christian, you may have heard some rumblings about the end times—anti-christ, one world government, etc. Check out Rapture Ready to get caught up.

All I’m saying is that Apple could help usher in the end of the world. I mean, if you have an iPhone (and I do), they know where you are 24/7. Apple has created a global system of communication where banking, medical info, face recognition and thousands of other cool things can be done with an iPhone. But what if all that cool stuff was used for bad things? It’s a scary question. It’s getting harder and harder to unplugged from the world. And that’s exactly what the anti-christ and satan want. Dunn dunn dun.

later…
Chad

Capture the e-motion

I love this commercial

It reminds us that the events in our life are emotional. Canon’s unique trick of using still photos to create the illusion of motion is brilliant. I just want learn how I can do this for slideshows. How great would vacation/holiday/birthday pictures be if you could present them like Canon did for their Rebel Xsi commercial?

ICE IS OUR TURF™

That’s the tagline/slogan I came up with for my son’s youth hockey association—Sauk Prairie Youth Hockey. It has a certain attitude to it that’s represents hockey players, parents and fans very well. I think it has a lot of legs. What do you think?

I also created this static banner/header for their blog (which I write/manage/promote). What do you think? I totally want to animate this mother. Anyone want to volunteer their time and talent? It would make an excellent addition to your portfolio. Let me know.

Quit. Or Be Great.

Article was originally published for Fuel Your Blogging

In his book, The Dip, Seth Godin talks about deciding to quit or sweat it out in order to be the best at something—anything. Are you doing what it takes to be the best at blogging?

It’s an interesting question. You started a blog because you were passionate about gadgets, traveling, coffee or recipes. Whatever the topic, your writing came naturally because you are, in some way, an expert. But now? The writing is probably a chore. Like taking out the trash. You have to do it, but you don’t get any sense of accomplishment when you’re done. That’s a “dip”, according to Godin. I call it a crossroad. And welcome to it.

Read the rest of the article at Fuel Your Blogging.

Madtown Tweetfest 2009

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Got a machine head?

[repost from Oct. 2008]

Sometimes we get so busy, we just go through the motions — like a machine. Before long, getting by becomes the norm. The result is vanilla creative (good but lacks excitement). Being busy cannot be your excuse. It’s just an easy answer. If you have a passion for creating, then you’ll never be too busy. Passion takes sacrifice. Stay late. Get up early. Reschedule lunch plans. And ditching a million other whoop-dee-doo’s that add little value to your creative projects. You want to be remembered by your body of work, right? Then decide today to be better than vanilla.

Here’s a challenge to jumpstart your creative power-pack again. Your company is asked to sell an oversupply of 1 million ball bearings. Your task is to think up alternative uses for the ball bearings. I’d love to see your ideas. So email me.

Later…

Be specific when setting goals

Jorg Greuel | Getty Images

We all have goals. But often our goals aren’t specific enough to be worth achieving. This so true when it comes to our careers. For example, my goal is to be a creative director (CD). That’s a pretty specific goal, right? Nope. Not even close. Here’s why.

A CD on the agency or client side? A CD in what city/state? A CD by when? And so on.

“Become a Creative Director” is pickle-label career goal. The problem is I can’t set any action steps with such a vanilla goal. How do I achieve it without knowing where I’m going? It’s like planning a vacation. You don’t just say, “I’m going on vacation” and just go, do ya? No. You pick a place, figure out where to stay and how you’re gonna get there, right? Well, gosh darn it, why haven’t I treated my career with the same detail?

New goal: Become a CD for ad agency in Madison, WI before I die. Ok, before I turn 40. Better make that 41.

Now what? Well, hang with CDs of course. Let them mentor me. Have them poke holes in my work. Buy them beers. Get to know how they approach a problem. And watch them succeed.

If you’re a CD or know of any CDs willing to take on a bag of hurt like me, let me know.

Later…

Be Better Than Vanilla> http://chadschomber.com
Follow me on Twitter> http://twitter.com/chadschomber

What’s your best job skill? Patience?

Patience should be your best job skill. If you’re ever asked, “Why should we hire you?”, crack back with “I’m patient.”

Every great leader is patient. They take the time to digest all available information before making a decision. Even in a pressure situation.

Now that doesn’t mean do nothing. When you’re brainstorming, creating a copy outline, or whatever, patience is the difference between vanilla ideas and big, change-the-world ideas. In fact, you need to be “active” in your thinking and not quick to stamp an idea as the right solution. The right solution might require frankensteining a few ideas—It’s alive! But you won’t know that until you’re patient enough to continue thinking/sorting/plugging reams of ideas.

Ok, I already hear everyone whining about deadlines, etc. Stop it. Focus on the creative problem not your deadline problem. Let me illustrate my point. A hockey player doesn’t waste time worrying about the third period before the first puck is dropped. Why? Because you can’t do anything about the third period until it arrives. So you can’t do anything about your deadline. All you can do it bust your ass right up until the final siren.

Oh, and you multitaskers. Stop it. Give 100% of your attention to one thing. Then move on to the next. Not only will you get more done, but the quality will be better.

How do you like them apples?

later…

Chad

5 Tips for hiring a freelance copywriter

by Kimmy Chau | flicker

Actually, these are 5 tips for hiring this freelance copywriter. But you can use this information as a guide for hiring other freelancers.

So let’s just jump right into it.

5. Q&A

Ask lots of questions. You’re trying to gauge my credibility. That’s a given. But you’re also trying to get a sense of my personality, character, etc.. Yes, you want someone who can get the work done. But you also need a go-to person down the road, right? So ask lots of questions. I will do the same. Don’t be surprised if I talk/ask about Unique Selling Proposition or USP.

4. Rate the rates

Sure, every freelancer has an hourly rate. Probably a rate range. But more times than not, I offer straight project rates. Why? Because I suck at estimating how long a project is going to take. Most people suck at estimating their hours. And that could cost you big bucks. Here’s a secret. It take 2 hours of work for 1 billable hour. Sometimes it’s 3-to-1. That’s because quality doesn’t magically happen. There are things I need to do to do what I do. And you shouldn’t have to pay for that.

3. Setting a schedule

Knowing when you need a completed piece is so very important. And ASAP is not a day on the calendar. Work with me to set a completion date and some milestones. Be realistic. See tip #4. Depending on how much information, samples, etc. you hand over, I need time to collect my thoughts about how/where to start.

2. Be open to advice

Your copywriter should be more than a worker bee, punching out widgets. I often provide creative advice/direction/whatnot throughout the process. It’s just the way I roll. But it benefits you, too. If you hire me to write and another designer/art director to execute, we all need to be on the same page. Some one needs to take the lead, creatively speaking. Might as well be me.

1. The power of one

Once you find a copywriter you like—quality work, great person, affordable rates— stick with that person. A brand needs a voice. A consistent voice. The more I work with you, the more I understand your brand. And the better I can deliver effective messages to your customers. It’s that simple.

Happy hiring…

Chad