Ann Kennedy says: “Please tell me, Oh Web Goddess Extraordinaire, why do sites like Craigslist do well?  They’re butt ugly and that’s on a good day.  I just don’t get it.”     First, I like the greeting.  I’m hardly a goddess – more like a jester – but since it’s the nicest thing I’ve been called in days weeks months, [...]

“I want to go to the Nuggies Store and NOT the scary people store.” Anonymous ordered, as if he had the one and only vote. Anonymous is three and a half but he stirs up trouble like no boy — or man — I’ve ever met. “And what store is that?” My brother asked. “The store where Amy takes me.” [...]

Did you see the movie, Ratatouille? I am a firm believer that the premise — anyone can cook — is true…   Although I must say, three of my closest friends constantly try to prove me wrong. Cait’s idea of “cooking” is putting Cheez-Wiz on a Ritz cracker with some salami or “whipping up” Suddenly Salad or whatever that godforsaken pasta-in-a-box-WITHOUT-vegetables [...]

Have you been to time-out as an adult?  (No, not Time-Out, the trendy restaurant in Dubai, the place in the corner of your house or on the stairs.) I was there just yesterday and although I can’t say much for it as an effective disciplinary tool, it did get me to think…  But first with the story… I was at my brother’s house [...]

I know time travels fast but, just in case you are wondering, the year is 2009. In fact, we’re nearing the 4th quarter of 2009 — almost 2010. NOT 2001. You may wonder why I am telling you this… Your “Choose Your Country” entry page? Very 2001. Actually VERY 1998. I know you are a big retailer and all so [...]

On the 2.2 days a year that I am not traveling, I live in Vermont. My nephrologist is in Seattle. If I moved to whatever the furthest place in the world is from Seattle, my nephrologist would still be in Seattle. Meaning that I would travel from anywhere on the planet to see him. I went through over three dozen [...]

I recently delivered a keynote address at one of those chi-chi-la-la invitation-only conferences. Just before my speech, this guy, Jack, in the second row calls out, “I hope I learn something today.” I must admit, before I slam him to high-heaven, that Jack’s a decent guy. He runs a privately-held company that’s worth a little over a billion that he [...]

I don’t need to have my vision checked but I want a PDF report from an eye doctor that I can e-mail to folks. Yes, you read that correctly. I want a detailed explanation from a certified optometrist that I don’t need contacts, glasses, or Lasik. I can see just fine. Why? I get at least a dozen comments a [...]

{Note from Amy: This is a guest post from my friend, Susan Fantle. Susan is a traditional (read: “old school”) direct marketer who writes KILLER offline and online B2B copy. She is a rare find these days — just the right blend of old & new marketing. In other words, she knows how to write AND her stuff sells.} ***** [...]

John Doe says: “In front of 30 of your clients, you asked one of them to order you panties? Seriously? What kind of *&^%$#@ lunatic are you?” Dear John. Your wife left you for her personal trainer. How could she? With a fake name like John Doe, you must be terribly creative. (And seriously “John,” if you are going to [...]