How NOT to design a marketing Website

Someone just forwarded me a link to an interesting new online market research tool targeted at the education space. It's got some interesting features and the founders have a reasonably good reputation in the market. I want to learn more, I might even want to buy . . . and they won't let me. They posted their email addresses on the Website, so I guess I can email them and ask what the next step is, but it really shouldn't be that hard. I shouldn't have to think about what to do next. The whole Website should gracefully and clearly lead me to DO something. "Click here for more information." "If you're ready to change your business, email us now to learn more." "Click here to reserve your room." "Become a member NOW." "Sign up for our newsletter HERE." "DO SOMETHING." As it is, I was more motivated to write this blog post than to take the next step in their sales cycle (which I will do at some point . . . probably).

At any rate, it's commonly known as a "call to action" and it's conspicuously missing from the EdRoom Website. Hopefully they'll add it, because it seems like an interesting product that deserves to succeed.

Video Rentals on iTunes?

My boy Evan Dibiase, resident wunderkind and key contributor to FeedHub (sweet tool!), made the following intriguing observation about the latest iTunes upgrade, "It sure looks like video rentals are coming to iTunes soon." Dang if that boy ain't smart - I wouldn't even think to "dump the strings from the iTunes binary" and then compare after the upgrade.

Renting videos via iTunes would be a fascinating next step for Apple and would make me think even harder about buying an appleTV (or whatever Sling has in the works).

New PLATO Learning Podcast

I'm excited to be hosting the brand new PLATO Learning Podcast. The first (technically third) episode is the first half of an interview with Dr. Jay Smink, executive director of the National Dropout Prevention Center. Great info in general, and especially for educators struggling w/ how to increase graduation rates. Take a listen (and subscribe) at the PLATO website or search the iTunes Store for "PLATO Learning."