#88 – “The Worst Ad Tagline Ever, How to Accept Credit Card Payments Online, a Resource for Loading Software on a New Computer, and a BIG Marketing Lesson from Sport Clips”

Episode #88 – “Archaeology: Do You Dig It?” ;)


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Underground Internet Marketing Seminar (March 2010 in Washington, DC)

Discover My #1 Traffic Secret (My Interview with Jonathan Gunson of Traffic Cafe TV)

Ninite (Install common software apps from one installer)

Other Useful Resources:

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Can you believe it’s almost the end of 2009? Where did the year go? I love receiving marketing examples from viewers of the show – both good and bad. This week I showcase one of the worst taglines for an ad that I’ve ever seen. And it’s from a well known British company, Dixons. They’re kind of like the Best Buy of the UK.

This weeks question is about how to accept credit card payments on a website, and to do it inexpensively. My answer may surprise you.

I just bought a new computer and the part I always dread is having to reload all the software I use. Simple things like Skype, Firefox, iTunes etc. It takes time. Fortunately I came across Ninite.com which lets you check a few boxes for the software you want, and it creates a custom installer with all those programs built-in. Very cool. I used it and it worked flawlessly. I’m seriously impressed and I’ll definitely be using this nifty resource again in the future.

SportClips is a themed hairdressing chain in the USA. It entices men who love sports with a themed environment – you can even watch sports on a monitor next to your chair! This business is a great example of the fact that there’s “riches in niches”. Anytime you can provide people with an option that closely matches their interests and passions, it’s a MUCH easier sell. Remember, hairdressing is a commodity service, so if it can be transformed by creating an experience within a niche, this principle can be applied to your small business (or big business).

Let me know your opinion about the topics covered in the show this week – leave your comment below, it’s really easy to do.

Enjoy the show!

Regards,

data mining

Having trouble viewing this video? Try the QuickTime version.

79 Responses

  1. Hi Andrew, thanks a lot but the Quicktime Link doesnt work, it is the only way zo see your epiode on my mobilephone :)

    thanks a lot
    bernd

  2. haha the Ad company that did that for Dixons is stupid … or ARE they??..
    …Perhaps it’s a way of getting people talking… look- you’re talking about it on your international web tv show which happens to be the #1 business show on iTunes, so maaaaybe they’re not that stupid!?!

    Cheers,
    Tony.
    ooh, almost forgot to mention, I’m offering a productivity timer with a bunch of bonuses for just $1 – offer expires jan 1st 2010 so grab it now!

  3. Is the disclaimer at the very end of the show part of the new FTC rules or is it just something that we should all do. I’m not trying to be funny or sarcastic. It’s a serious question.

  4. FYI the productivity timer is visible on your screen and keeps you focussed on the task at hand, with a little countdown to your deadline – it’s all set by the user and very fast and easy to use.
    here’s the link http://xmas.re-voo.com
    Like I said, it’s just $1 so thought you guys might like it?? but be QUICK – ofer vanishes on 1st Jan!

    Tony.

  5. No Andrew, I don’t think that your comments were out of line with the 1st business. Why would you want to position yourself that way?????

  6. Andrew, what program do you use to make the “hand” appear on your screenshots? I’m a mac user as I think you are :-)
    Thanks!

  7. Just FYI, I don’t see a “consult with Andrew” link

  8. I was thinking the same as Tony about the Dixson’s add. It is getting Global attention off a poster which is not easy to do, I think people get the humor even if it could be misleading. We have a TV add here in Chicago for an auto salvage yard that is filmed so poorly with such bad actors that it has become iconic and they have been running the same add since the 70′s! It wasn’t intentional but sometimes you luck out. Bad press on a global level could be catastrophic if people don’t get the humor so maybe the potential for disaster doesn’t justify the risk.

  9. Just a comment, your link for “ask Andrew” is not labeled as such, it says “book a private telephone session with me” also, when I go to your page to order you ever so clever shirts, I don’t see an order link??
    keep up the great work, you are a maverick :-)

  10. Regarding Ninite, the one stop installer website, everything seems to get easier and easier…why does it seem like we have less and less time? I remember not too long ago I had to bur a piece of software and a special cable to transfer all my settings from one pc to another. What a pain! great show.
    Brian
    http://www.kenjones.com

  11. Sounds to me like “Hooters” should get into the salon business! They’d sure stir up more clients that a sports theme:)

  12. Andrew,
    If you thought the slogan above was bad to your way of thinking; then you need to check these out:
    http://www.outwestnewspaper.com/wacky.html
    Some of us may be putting too much into a slogan. If you test it and it works, I wouldn’t change a thing.
    Merry Christmas_Happy New Year’s and a profitable 2010.
    Hal

  13. On the Bad Ad copy-Yes, someones head kneads to role.

  14. Just found this site on Facebook. I look forward to further insight. Thanks.

  15. [...] See original here: #88 – "The Worst Ad Tagline Ever, How to Accept Credit Card … [...]

  16. Andrew,

    Great show. What idiots to use a tagline such as that…the last place you want to go. I agree…someone should lose their job. This tagline is not clever, it’s just irresponsible!

  17. I agree with you about that ad for Dixons.
    Its like they are saying… “go everywhere else and see what they have to offer then see us last… if you have the time or dont find what your looking for… ” Ridiculous! Keep up the good work and we look forward to the next episode! Doug Zeller

  18. Another awesome video! Thanks for all the vids through out the year.

    Merry Xmas

  19. I’ve now taken to watching your show while feeding the new baby. Figure he’ll soak up some marketing skills young ;)

    Back in college we learned about some horrendous ad campaigns that got “lost in translation.”

    For example, there was an Electrolux vacuum ad translated from german to say “Nothing Sucks like an Electrolux” haha

    But Dixons, i have no idea what the excuse was for that! When i left the mainstream ad industry that was one of the reasons, a bit of incompetence there i think!

    Andrew have a great holiday. I hope to catch up with you soon – still waiting for your email ;)

  20. Hi Andrewe,

    First, I agree with your judgment about the tag line. I can see how it got by the owners of the company and I see what they were trying to say, but it still sucks.

    Second, I reiterate it each time I write to you. You do the best job of anyone on the Net in imparting imformation in an enjoyable, lighthearted, yet informative manner. Always a joy to watch you.

    Blessings for the Christmas Holiday,
    Ted

  21. Andrew enjoy your show. I am confident that someone had a firm talking to about the stupidity of that copy. If I had a dollar for every time I read poor copy I would never have to work again, you just don’t often see it on a national campaign. Have a great holiday.

    Cheers.

    Russ

  22. By the way your links on the sidebar of your main page (twitter, Facebook and Linkedin) open in the same window. If you tag them to open in a new window you will not loose your viewer off your main page. Just a thought .

    Russ

  23. I am not doing well financially. I have virtually no sales for a product that is needed and wanted BUT too expensive! people don’t buy. I hate when that happens. Lifesize HD video conferencing products are amazing.

    I am so depressed by LOW sales.

    THEN I found your POD CAST.

    You gave me hope. Thank You Andrew.
    Sleepless in Miami.

  24. You are absolutely right about the ad and the slogan: Someone should get fired… inmediately. People in advertisment sometimes think they can send a message that can be undertood by all people in the same way they conceive it. Once I heard someone saying about a powerpoint presentation of a speaker “presentations like this should be done for the idiot that is listening and not for the genius that made it”. A politician from my country once said about a president that “he needed a little bit of ignorance”. I mean, maybe this people in the ad business are sometime competing among them to try to look clever, but all they do is become unintelligible

  25. Silly Marketing Slogans That Don’t Work!
    http://www.badpets.net/Humor/Dumb/SillySlogans.html

  26. Coming from biological science field, am just starting to learn web copywriting. So, I appreciate your post Andrew and the comments about “the worst ad tagline ever”.

    Douglas said “Its like they are saying… “go everywhere else and see what they have to offer then see us last… if you have the time or dont find what your looking for… ”. What Douglas said helped me understand why you guys consider Dixon’s tagline bad.

    I also like what Jesus said – “People in advertisement sometimes think they can send a message that can be understood by all people in the same way they conceive it.”

    Thanks Andrew, Douglas, Jesus and the rest of you guys for helping me learn a lesson in copywriting.

    Jose

  27. The dixons ad was obviously meant to be cute. However the problem is that even though most people get the cute twist the phrase still stick in peoples mind with a negative connotation. Being cute and clever alone does not neccessarily attract customers.

    I use Intuit Quicken to process credit card payments. You get your money a lot quicker than with paypal.
    Paypal can lock your account and hold your (yes your) money for pretty much as long as they decide to. If you actually read through the fine print when you sign up, you have to agree to such. They make a point of specifying that they are not a bank, so that they do not have to abide by the same rules as banks do.
    I would not do business with a company that has so many websites dedicated to it (negativiely) and has as many lawsuits against them as paypal does.

  28. well yes, it’s incredibly bad tagline, but then again- it’s going to get people talking about it isn’t it? So maybe it’s not as bad as it seems… there is no such thing as bad publicity!

  29. Hi everyone,

    Just wanted to let you know that there’s no episode for the week of Dec 28th (holidays).

    I’ll be back with another new episode in the new year, starting the week of Jan 4th.

    Regards

    Andrew

  30. Andrew, I love to “listen” to your show on my iPod- touch while I’m on the go.
    But, if something taps the screen during the show it gets cut-off.
    I know you are a “TV” show, but how can I just listen if I need to? I may miss out on somethings, but the audio works when I can’t watch.

  31. this is a good educationalvideo andit is worth rating and using a must recoommend.

  32. I REALLY HAPPY WHEN I VISIT THIS VIDEO….REALLY AWESOME VIDEO…ME ALSO ACCEPT YOUR JUDGMENT ABOUT THE TAG LINE…THANKS A LOT FOR YOUR USEFUL INFORMATION…..

  33. Nice video.I like this video.Because this video is give us information about video.So this is a good educational video.and i happy when i see this video.Thanks a lot for give us useful information.

  34. really nice video…… this video gives very useful information….and good educational video also……good work….

  35. ARULAROKYASAMY says:

    i really like this video….because….this is educational video….u know i love studies……..thanks a lot sir….

  36. princess ivy says:

    very informative, thank you for sharing. this is really an educational video. :)

  37. a.jothimani says:

    wow. what a beautiful video. it is very useful to me and also very informative. thank you for giving this educational video.

  38. It is really amazing and easily understandable too. I got to know many useful information. thank you so much.

  39. I work in PR and let me tell you that, “The last place you should go,” might just as well have been “We suck!” As for Paypal, it’s easy but their fees are ridiculous. I enjoyed your show.

  40. This video is excellent and education of new business by the ads.This useful to all visitors of this site. I like this very much and thank you for the posting the video.

  41. viswanathan says:

    This video is excellent and education of new business by the ads.This useful to all visitors of this site. I like this very much and thank you for the posting the video.

  42. So, I been thinking bout doing my own web show for a while and was just thinking bout it last week and then I get home & here is Yaniks newletter with ur interview in it – how ironic! Then it’s gets a little freaky – I just put down the newsletter after my lunch , sat down at computer to add some vids to facebook and boom – there is ur facebook ad! oooh, it’s like a sign from the heavens, must be my destiny to do my own show – so I’ll be stealing everything good from you (just kidding) and gettin my show going ASAP.

    Love ur episode too , perhaps ‘Dixons’ should rename ‘Dickheads’ – lol

    I’ll definatley be watching ur some of ur past epsiodes too.

    Cheers, Mr. Inta-Fitness

  43. Hi Andrew ,
    First of all , I would like to say thank you very much for creating a show ” Help ! My Business sucks “. It is really an amazing and useful video which could be used by any newbies in online business, to develop their business online and in return earn more money. Thank you once again for all the information you provided in this video.

  44. I really enjoyed the video. I can not believe that no caught the way the line sounded before it made it to the public. You are certainly right that someone needs to be fired. Hopefully they’ve realized their mistake and taken steps to resolve it. I think that your ask andrew segment is absolutely the best because you answer every question no matter how small.

    I think the wesite you recommended was awesome I can’t believe it’s never been done before.

    All in all a very informative video. thanks so much!!!!!

  45. this is a very informative video….i’m viewing this for the first time but this is very interesting…

  46. I totally agree with Andrew in the matter of the tagline. I think it is one of the most weird and disastrous tag line for an ad ever made. The only positive aspect is that it has made the ad discussed about.

  47. Great show! This was my first time watching this weekly webTv show and i love it already:) theres alot of useful information shown on this one episode alone! The idea of turning a rather boring and conventional business into a fun and high-profit one by using themes is just the solution I need for my business:D

  48. Fantastic Show Andrew, Never watched web shows before but i think im hooked on this one. Alot of great ideas, And i totally agree with you about ad agencies. Also loved the “Ask Andrew” segment.

  49. ABBAS AHSAN says:

    I totally enjoyed the video, it is very informative and amusing.

  50. Anil Kumar T says:

    Very informational video.I am looking for a new business.Thank you.

  51. I really enjoy the show. The information very helpful. Make me to get enhance my ideas in my business.

  52. “The last place you want to go” as a headline is a terrible tagline. I don’t think an Ad agency came up with it though, it has the over-zealous marketing director written all over it. An Ad agency would have caught that (at least a good one have.) SportsClips is a nice piece.

  53. Fernando A. Montalban says:

    Hi Andrew,
    First I want to congratulate you for your show, I never miss one, second I want to let you know that I purchased the Traffic Geyser and I would like to take you on the offer for NiftyClicks, what I need to do? I really enjoy every episode and I wish all the best for the New year.
    Thank you, you’re great,
    Fernando Montalban

  54. Andrew Lock says:

    Hi Fernando,

    Congratulations on investing in Traffic Geyser. My customer service department will email you with details of your complimentary Nifty Clicks account.

    Regards

    Andrew

  55. Blanca Martinez says:

    I enjoyed your video, I have worked for retail stores for several years, and yes, I’ve seen some of the worst ads. Dixons should hope no one reads the small bottom text of this ad…

  56. Hehee this is the first time i have watched you :)
    I am really pleased with this show :D , I just used Ninite today, wish i would have knew about it before!
    I quess i got to start watching videos from #1
    Happy 2010

  57. Hi Andrew, want to wach your TraficCafe, but when I enter my email it says, that I am already on the list. and without subscription I cant see a video? so how to see them when someone is already subscribed :) ?

    happy new year
    bernd

  58. Like growing numbers of entrepreneurs, Berlin and her family produce the show themselves, edit it, and post it online using free or low-cost video-uploading and streaming software. These Internet-based videos—most packaged in short episodes no more than four minutes long—have the potential to transform marketing and turn small business owners into celebrities in their own right, experts say.
    “It’s a fascinating shift and one of the more important ones we’ve seen in B2B communications,” says Daniel Taylor, lead technology and media analyst at The Big Picture, a research firm covering digital media, technology, and communications.
    If Internet video continues to catch on as a marketing alternative for small businesses, Taylor says, $20 to $30 billion in advertising that currently goes to the business and trade press could evaporate. Small firms that typically advertise in their industry trade publications, business publications, the Yellow Pages, and on cable television could shift their marketing dollars into producing their own video content. “About 10% of the overall advertising spending in the U.S. could be at risk because of this” new phenomenon, Taylor says. “It’s largely small to midsize businesses that are involved in this, and the caliber of people and the quality of what they’re doing is really amazing.”

  59. Deepali Bathla says:

    Well i found another good show . It is very good and the information of paypal is also very good to see on it.Andrew is such a awsome things to display about ninite and saloons too.

    thanks a ton! :)

  60. Krishna Chaitanya says:

    Hi Andrew,
    I found the video very interesting and at the same time quite useful. I pity “Dixons” for messing up bottom text of the ad.

  61. Really a nice show to watch. Very informative to me. Thanks for the one and once again thanks for the upcoming ones.

  62. Joshua Wang says:

    This video is excellent.
    It has taught me alot and I am now om my way to success in business related fields.
    I hope u continue to make other educational videos to watch.

  63. This was a very informative video that was presented in a very fun way. A look into thoughtful marketing is long overdue. I agree that the slogan “The last place you want to go” should have been stopped long before implementation. The video had great references.

  64. I like this video very much. It is so informative. This video is usefull. It taught very usefull thing. Please add some more information. Thank you.

  65. It’s really nice vedeo to watch. This is the first time I watch this video. I really enjoyed this video.

  66. Simha Pilot says:

    Liked the humorous presentation of serious and interesting information

  67. Andrew is completely right, that is a horrible ad. Ad agencies try to be too complicated instead of simply doing what works. Another great video, best tips around.

  68. One more reason to go to Sportsclip. I like sports but could care less about the TV’s, BUT if I stare at the TV they do not talk to me. I do like to talk but I do not have to hear the same disfunctional strories over & over every time I go in. It is like they vent on me every time I get a hair cut. So yea to Sportclip

  69. this video is very nice to watch and informative for my business.

  70. It will be very helpful for anyone who works on internet marketing. I gonna forward this link to my friends !!!!

  71. Hi Andrew

    Great show as always.

    Mark

  72. Having watched all of your episodes, and regularly come to your site to see what is going on in the world of Andrew – I decided to start my own TV show, and so far it’s been well recieved- so thanks Andrew, you have helped me more than you realise !

  73. I love the part where you said, “Were they high at the time?” It was amazing to me that they they did get past the initial meeting, regarding that sign to shop that store, then buy it online.

    I am starting a business, so this was a great break in my day to watch this light-hearted video, and I learned something. I didn’t know that Paypal would accept payments when you have a Paypal account.

    I found this very entertaining! Thank you, Andrew!

  74. I was not a very good fan of entrepreneur business. However, after watching this 10 minute video, I am somehow am encouraged to be my own boss at whatever I am good at doing. In response to the dixons ad. It baffles me, as to how such a blunder could be publicised even if they are a nationally acclaimed company. Sigh, can this even be labelled as negligence, I dont think so.

  75. Rammy Mekhilef says:

    I think the guy had a very good speaking voice and it wasn’t monotonous at all. Very nice and quality made video. The guy also had very good enthusiasm and emotion with his video.

    I also like his shirt!!

  76. You got a surely useful website. I have been here reading for about an hour. I am a newbie and your success is very much an motivation for me.

  77. The Sportclips barber shop, this concept was I saw back in the UK. Where it was set up to market to women whilst having their hair done. The UK company was called i-vu now is run by simply salon tv.

    Great example about finding riches in niches.

  78. Very informative article, thanks alot

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