Power Emails: How to Write Them

Most emails have lousy subject lines, are too wordy, and probably are deleted unread, read but not responded to, or filtered out as spam. Learn how to avoid these fates by composing Power Emails that are legal, ethical, and effective.

Streight, Steven. Blogger.com (2004). Articles>Business Communication>Correspondence>Rhetoric

Primary Purpose of the Web

"Communication" vs. "Interaction"? Find out why unrestrained, random communication on the web is not good in and of itself, and why relevant, practical information and functionalities for task completion are much more vital. Learn why "communicating for the sheer joy of communicating" is a waste of time and web space.

Streight, Steven. Blogger.com (2005). Articles>Internet>Communication>Web Design

Psychologically Unsound 15 Second Sitcoms

"It made me laugh, I love it," is not what you want to hear about an expensive TV commercial. Did it leave you with a powerful desire to obtain the benefit the product offers, so that you plan on purchasing it? Find out why silly TV commercials, that fail to communicate why the product is superior, are doomed to drain budgets and let the competition gain ground.

Streight, Steven. Blogger.com (2004). Articles>Multimedia>Marketing>Cognitive Psychology

Questions About Blogs Nobody Seems To Answer

Here are some deep questions about blogs that seem to be overlooked. For example, can you post too frequently? What is coming next in popularity, wikis or glogs? Why do many business people express no interest in blogging? Can you answer any of these 16 probing questions about blogs and blogging?

Streight, Steven. Blogger.com (2005). Articles>Cyberculture>Usability>Blogging

Search Engine Hits on Popular Keywords

Find out how various popular keywords rank against their opposites (life vs. death, heaven vs. hell, Jesus vs. Beatles, everything vs. nothing, etc.) in this report on a unique One Hour Google Search Experiment. But what does it all mean? Draw your own conclusions. Fun and enlightening.

Streight, Steven. Blogger.com (2005). Articles>Internet>Search>Hypertext

Slogan Slogging for Enhanced Creativity

Here's how to apply simple deconstruction techniques to popular phrases to transform them into viable marketing slogans or headlines for ads. A fun, easy exercise in creativity, with several examples.

Streight, Steven. Blogger.com (2005). Articles>Writing>Marketing

Socnet Specialist

A rationale for joining as many social networking sites as possible, if you are a marketing professional.

Streight, Steven. Blogger.com (2007). Articles>Cyberculture>Marketing>Social Networking

A Streight Eye for the Dairy Queen Guy

"Not your father's Dairy Queen" is touted as a marketing advance, when it's simply Panic Marketing. Find out why DQ should stick with its traditional benefit, desserts, and use that leverage to lift up its other food items. A classic Mentally Correct Marketing study highlighting how strategy must be developed.

Streight, Steven. Blogger.com (2004). Articles>Communication>Public Relations>Marketing

Technical Documentation Tips

How to write effective technical documentation.

Streight, Steven. Blogger.com (2004). Articles>Documentation>Writing>Technical Writing

Troubling Aspects of the Online Realm

Find out how the blogosphere is portrayed as stupid, how automatic reloading of web pages annoys users, how it's very difficult or impossible to scroll text entry boxes, why search engines need filters, why usability is not "dead" for web design, why delete must not automatically open the next email message, why "view profile" must not be omitted, and why all user actions need prominent "action succeeded" messages and "view action results" page links.

Streight, Steven. Blogger.com (2004). Articles>Cyberculture>Interaction Design>Usability

User Observation Testing is Mandatory

Without user observation testing, the usability of your web site is virtually unknown. Surveys are worth little, since those surveyed tend to tell you what they think you want to hear. Staff opinions are nice, but biased and they are not typical users. Heuristic (general guidelines-based) evaluation is helpful, but remains theoretical until tested on actual, representative users as they attempt to find information or perform tasks at your site.

Streight, Steven. Blogger.com (2004). Articles>Usability>Human Computer Interaction>Testing

User Observation Tests: Forms and Procedures

Detailed explanation of how to conduct a web usability user observation test. Simple, step-by-step instructions for professional administration of testing program. How to select and supervise test subjects. How to design test task assignments. Suggested forms to use: test subject selection computer skills level telesurvey, link strategy survey, system usability scale questionnaire, site satisfaction survey.

Streight, Steven. Usability Interface (2004). Articles>Usability>Testing>Web Design

Vaspers the Grate

Secrets of web usability and web credibility enhancement. Web content writing. Blogs as marketing tools. Using internet forums as virtual advisory staff. Professional email composition.

Streight, Steven. Blogger.com (2004). Resources>Usability>Writing>Blogs

Web Credibility Destroyers

When users visit your web site, their immediate impression of its credibility is based on appearance, colors, text fonts. Then, as they explore your site, other factors contribute to its credibility impact. Lose users here, and they probably will never return.

Streight, Steven. Blogger.com (2004). Articles>Web Design>User Centered Design>Interaction Design

What's Wrong with (Almost) All Web Sites

The vast majority of web sites commit usability and design violations that make it hard for users to find relevant content and functions. These problems are not difficult to diagnose or remedy. How many of these "user crimes" is your web site guilty of committing?

Streight, Steven. Blogger.com (2004). Articles>Web Design>User Interface>Interaction Design