It’s all about Appearance

Since I’ll be doing some book promoting, I’ve recently looked back at past marketing and promotions that did and didn’t do so well. It’s interesting how marketing/promoting a product can increase sales or cause its collapse.

We’ve recently heard some debates regarding the marketing of Dr. Pepper Ten. “It’s only ten manly calories.” “It’s what guy’s want.” “Dr. Pepper Ten. It’s not for women.”

I’ll be honest, this didn't upset me that they wiped out a very, very large demographics, but I did watch the video wondering, “Do guys really care about calories? Is there such a thing as ten womanly calories? Are they trying to use reverse psychology to get more women to buy the product?” Most household shoppers are women, and if these women are out shopping for pop (yes, I’m from Chicago) for husbands and kidlets, do they really think the women will head straight for Dr. Pepper?

Then there’s the Abercrombie & Fitch, Summer 1999

Does A&F own an island? Did you see all their cool clothes? Because I didn’t. There’s nothing about that video that screams clothes to me.

Ayds Diet Candy

Unfortunately, the ad came out when AIDS was becoming the scariest thing in the world. And a double whammy was that AIDS was known to eat away at the body, and AYDS Diet Candy was a weight loss product.  

Now for a few of my favorite marketing/promotions.

Joe Boxer

Every time I saw this commercial I couldn’t help but smile. I wanted to go out and buy Joe Boxers for someone. I wonder what happened to this guy. I miss him.

I don’t drink J&B, but because I thought the advertisement was cool, I thought about getting a bottle.

Do you know of any good or bad marketing/promotion campaign ads?

Audience and sell,

Bea

Boom, Boom Weekend!

Have you ever had one of those weekends where you think you haven’t achieved a thing, but you actually did? Where you’re up early and turning in late and at the end of the weekend nothing looks disturbed…other than you maybe? I had one of those weekends—one filled with surprises to say the least.

BUT...I did get my book cover completed. I’ve been preparing for this publication for a long time, yet it didn’t seem real until now. My dark, psychological suspense, Net Switch, is coming alive. I am very pleased with the cover, and I’m even more excited to be able to say my cousin, Brian Baer, did the cover art. If you want to see more of Brian’s artwork, head on over to his website: http://brianwbaer.daportfolio.com/. Danke schön, Brian.

Since I created my poetry book trailer, Sipping a Mix of Verse, and enjoyed doing it, I wanted to tackle this book trailer. Of course, I had to make this one different to keep with the theme of my novel. Like movie trailers, book trailers promote books to intrigue enough of people into buying it.

Net Switch

Net Switch Book Trailer (YouTube)

Tempt and catch,

Bea

http://www.authordenisebaer.com/

Veteran’s Day!

For the first time in a long time, I’m glad to see the media focusing on our veterans and doing stories about their sacrificed. I want to take this time to thank all the veterans and their families for their sacrifices, along with those in active service From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for the service you’ve given to your country in keeping the United States free. God Bless every one of you.  

 Crush

The camera’s angle

twists and swings to the voice

of the broadcaster. 

Bloody boots resembling

yours appear on enemy streets;

gunfire lights up the sky.

I can smell the smoke drift

in the night air even thousands

of miles away.

Trepidation moves me closer

to the screen looking for a sign,

such as crow color hair,

with a spray of warfare sweat.

Or a calloused hand, tattoo

on thumb, symbolizing courage.

Nothing revealed you were among

the dust, broken buildings or

bodies.   I shift away

then walk to the window.

Looking up, a bright sun warms

my worried face; wonder if

you’re safe, tucked in

a hole away from harm’s way.

But this feeling belongs

to me alone.

I don’t know where you

rest your body, hoping it’s

still breathing—

just like you didn’t know my crush

on you—since childhood cavorting.

Sacrifice and Freedom,

Bea

In Memory of my uncle, John Maluska.

Express Yourself!

I wanted to be a rock star when I was young. I sang in plays, around the house, and in high school, I sang with a band, but my dream slowly faded. Smoking didn’t help my voice and I had too many lost years, so now my singing is limited to the shower and in the car. But I do have “recording a song in a recording studio” on my Bucket List.

Even though I don’t have a voice to be a rock star, I love music and appreciate great talent, which is why I’m a fan of “The Voice” and “X-Factor USA”. All of the contestants on X-Factor are great—really great. I’m not a big fan of rap or hip-hop, but that Astro is a talented little man. Both of the groups, Lakoda Rayne and The Stereo Hogzz bring their own style to the songs, and although very different, I enjoy their performances. Rachel Crow is adorable and can knock out a song like older contestants.

However, my two favorites have such control of their voices, and literally make my stomach flip and my eyes tear up when I hear them sing. One is beyond her years, and the other makes every existing song his very own.

Drew Ryniewicz, a 14-year old from Arizona, has control, honesty, creativity and a folksy, raspy voice that I love. She makes singing look so effortless. When I first heard her sing, I heard a mix of Alanis Morisette and Jewel.

Josh Krajcik, a 30-year old from Ohio, is a fusion between Andrew Strong and Bruce Springsteen. I love his strong voice, yet he can sing loud and high with smooth transitions.

What about you? Do you watch X-Factor? Who is your favorite and why?

Singing and dancing,

Bea