Brilliant marketing - To Sell Is Human

 Shortly before the holidays, I learned that there was a new book by Daniel Pink that was soon to be released.  The book, To Sell Is Human: The Surprising Truth About Moving Others, was available for pre-order and the author was offering some really cool incentives.

Get this...and, it is brilliant!

If you e-mailed proof of pre-ordering the book, you were promised access to online resources, a New Years Day webinar, and a packet in the mail.  It was a booked I planned to buy anyway, but we all know how it goes.  You save a list of books to buy and may or may not get around to ordering them.

What a brilliant marketing strategy to move people to action!

The online resources and webinar were cool.  The webinar even left me with more books on my list of books I want to read.  And then, the packet arrived.

Cool brown envelope with great branding...author signed bookplate...and my new favorite thing - Field Notes!

Reasons why I love Field Notes:

1.  Writing on graph paper makes me feel smart.  I really like to take notes on graph paper and I picked this up from a friend who often records her notes on this medium.

2.  The text and graphics on the cover - cool and funny!  On the inside, bottom left page:  "In the event of misplacement:  If found, please contact (and a place for your e-mail).  Hence, There [] is [] isn't a handsome reward waiting.

3.  On the back cover, the story hits me right in the heart!  "Inspired by the vanishing subgenre of agricultural memo books, ornate pocket ledgers, and the simple, unassuming beauty of a well-crafted grocery list, the Draplin Design Co., Portland Ore. - in conjunction with Coudal Partners, Chicago, Ill. - brings you 'Field Notes' in hopes of offering 'An honest memo book worth fillin' up with 'Good Information'."  My grandparents always had the free memo books from the coop and seed companies in their pockets and purses and on their dashboards.  These memo books kept everything from tag numbers of cows who had calved to grocery lists and a lot of reminders.  The memo books even kept restless grandkids entertained during church and in waiting rooms.  I remember these books fondly.

4.  The list of practical applications makes me laugh out loud.  Some of my favorites.  03. Inspired Ramblings, 05. Shoddy Sketches, 06. Half-Ass Calculations, 15. Hate Mail, 17. Escape Routes, 24. Treasure Maps, 29. Tall Orders

You can order them, three for $9.95.

I have an obsession.

Confession: I love stationery. Give me cards of all sizes and shapes. I buy them. I make them. I try to send them, but should send more cards to more people since there are few pick me ups better than getting a handwritten card from someone you love. Every once in awhile I take out all of my cards and reorganize them and in the process remember what I have and admire the colors and designs.

Here are some of my favorites from today's reorganization.

I made these and you can tell I was experimenting with the scalloped circle punch. I tried to use only scrap paper to decorate the plain cardstock cards. I even used the sleeve for a coffee cup because of the great texture and lovely brown color.

These cards are a take off on the old Polaroid photos. The card itself looks like a Polaroid and the envelopes are a great light grey/putty color and have the Polaroid silhouette. Fun and funky subjects make these cards unique. I found them at Acme Gift in Aggieville (Manhattan, KS).

This set is packaged so lovely. The theme is typesetting and the letter and number fonts are beautiful to view. The envelopes are just as awesome at the postcard style cards. Also a find from Acme Gift in Aggieville (Manhattan, KS).

These adorable business card sized cards are all about luck with a lucky symbol embossed in gold on the top of each. The four leaf clover is my favorite, ok - maybe it is the wishbone.