January 22, 2007, Vol 1, Issue 6

For some reason, we’re struggling to come up with a witty and engaging intro for this issue of redux. Maybe we’re overthinking it. Or maybe, we’re just too enthralled by the snow that’s finally falling around here.

Either way, we’re once again ecstatic to be bringing you our bi-weekly newsletter and hope that you’re continuing to find it both useful and fun. If that’s the case (and we hope it is!) won’t you forward this to a friend who also might enjoy it? Enough shameless plugging so early in the newsletter. On with the data- dump!

Can I ask you a question?

They say opinions are like (insert expletive here) and that everyone’s got one. But we know that when it comes to strengthening your client’s position on a topic, nothing rallies the troops like the results of good poll.

Check out the American Library Association’s page on Online Poll Resources. There’s a lot here! You’ll find links to major U.S. media polls like The Associated Press/IPSOS Poll, major television network polls, print media (NY Times, LA Times, Time Magazine, WSJ), NPR, Gallup (their main site (poll.gallup.com is free ), Harris, National Opinion Research Center, Pew… well, you get the picture.

Don’t worry about thanking us, we’re just doing our jobs. Although if you insist on thanking us, you can submit a stellar question to “Stump the Researchers.” The person who submits the “Stump” to be published in our next issue wins a fabulous prize! (More on that later…)

Visual aid.

Sometimes, a picture really is worth a thousand words. You’ve searched YouTube and Flickr, of course. But you’re busy! So turn to Pixsy. (No trip to Neverland required!)

This clever engine extracts images and videos from the RSS feeds of a variety of content providers, from YouTube to the BBC. Type in search terms and it’ll do an aggregated search for you. Click on a source — say, The New York Times — from the “Browse Recently Added” box on the lower right-hand side of the home page, and you’ll get a fresh batch of thumbnails, which serve as direct links to the material. Or browse by category to see the latest content to come online.

Currently stocking some 10 million items in its searchable bank, Pixsy intends to have 1 billion items in store by year end. We’re not that easy to impress. But this is a fairytale come true.

Plug in to Our Expertise

When it comes to marketing, planning and strategy, the folks at Scherer Cybrarian have “been there, done that.” One of the best things about us (besides our sense of humor!) is that WE understand YOUR business. So, you don’t have to explain what a press tour is or a social marketing campaign or even a day- part. We’ve got you covered.

Not only can we find the answers that are floating around in Cyberspace (not to mention the proprietary databases and sources we subscribe to!), but we can help you determine and refine criteria for the most useful and compelling outcome. So, give us a whirl, you’ll be glad you did!

Send your request here.

Stump the Researchers.

Ok people, what do we have to do to get you to submit to “Stump the Researchers?” We ain’t too proud to beg, but we’d really rather not. So this week, we’re sweetening the deal.

Not only will the person whose question is chosen for next issue’s “Stump” receive valuable, FREE research to answer their question, they’ll also receive a copy of the book Waiting for Your Cat to Bark?: Persuading Customers When They Ignore Marketing. It’s chock full of information on how and why people (your customers!) are buying and how to sell to them. To read more about this must-have marketing guide, click here.

It’s fun, it’s free, and this time it comes with a freebie! Submit a “Stumper,” you won’t be disappointed.
Okay, give it your best shot.

This issue’s Stump…

A reader asks: I’ve been reading about CEO’s and blogging. Like this article in BusinessWeek a few months back; but also tidbits in some of my daily reading. So how can I find out which CEOs really are blogging?

Okay. Here we go…
Click here for the answer. It’ll just take a minute.

So there you have it. We’ve given you two fantastic sites on the Web to find what you need. We’re giving away free research in our “Stump the Researchers” section AND we’re giving away a book. At this rate we’ll be giving away the farm!

Until that happens, we look forward to hearing from you. Whether it’s to give us some work (fingers crossed) or just say Hi! (we don’t get out much). The cold weather’s coming and we’re ready to hunker down and do your bidding!

Until we meet again (in two weeks),