Ruth's Blog

Ruth Brown is now Ruth Guice
Having been Ruth Brown for just about all my life - on October 3 2009, I became Ruth Guice. After 13 years, Alan and I decided that we would make things 'official'.

The dilemma was, that everyone knows me as Ruth Brown, so by changing my name to Ruth Guice am I jeopardising the Ruth Brown Brand?

I ummed and I ahhed, and then decided I should just 'get over myself' and make the change - those I'm in touch with often will work it out quickly, those who never knew me as Ruth Brown won't know the difference. The only people I lose would be those with whom I haven't been in contact for some time (which means they're already losing out).

There you have it. Ruth Brown is now Ruth Guice. Still the same old lovable, talented, drop-dead gorgeous Ruth Brown, but with a different last name.

PRONUNCIATION NOTE: Guice is pronounced G-ICE, with a hard 'g'. Like 'Guide', only with a C.

Monday 19th of October 2009 8:32:43 AM

Advertising Tips - When you're on the right message...
Stick to it.

Chopping and changing your approach to your advertising is like starting at square one every single time you advertise. It takes time to become known for something, and if you switch to another selling point every time you run a campaign, you waste the time, effort and MONEY that you put into your previous campaigns.

Im not saying that you should run the same commercial everyday for a year, but rather choose one selling point and stick with it. You can freshen your message every month or so, depending on the weight of the campaign but you say the same thing. Its like compound interest, each message will build on the other, creating excellent awareness.

The key, of course, is to make sure youve chosen the right selling point. It doesnt have to be unique, but it does have to be relevant to the consumer and you do need to do it well.

A media salesperson or copywriter worth their salt can help you find it but you must be prepared to listen and answer questions with an open mind.

Are you?

By the way, did I mention that I'm a copywriter..worth my salt?

Monday 17th of August 2009 10:26:27 AM

Advertising Tips - Avoiding Bandwagons Coat Tails
One of the worst mistakes direct advertisers can make on radio or in any other medium, is to try and ride on the coat tails of another successful advertising campaign.

Ive had many conversations with clients that began You know that Yellow Pages ad we want to use Not Happy Jan in our ads too.... Or you can replace Yellow Pages for Toyotas Bugger Campaign, Telstras Great Wall of China (keep the rabbits out) or here in Queensland RACQs Charter Boat? What charter boat? tvc.

Yes, they are highly successful campaigns that created amazing recall for the brand in question. And therein lays the problem. They were highly successful campaigns that created amazing recall for the brand in question. So should you choose to use their catch-cry for your own devices, the only thing you will succeed in, is continuing to create amazing recall for the brand in question. Not your brand, theirs.

Before you try and jump on someone elses bandwagon, take a look at your own if youre message isnt exciting enough to create its own following, it should be. It can be. Custom-build your own bandwagon there are plenty of great copywriters out there who can help you do it...including me, naturally.

Tuesday 7th of July 2009 9:44:57 AM

Choosing your Radio Salesperson
The most important radio advertising tip I can give you, is to choose your account manager very carefully.

This can be easier said than done of course, as they generally choose you (the salesperson will knock on your door, or if you call the radio station, the sales manager will generally appoint your salesperson for you - often based purely on whose turn it is to get the lead).

So, how do you know if youve got a good one? If you really want to know about their knowledge and abilities, ask them one or both of these simple questions:

What is your philosophy on getting an ad that works?

Where do most people go wrong with their radio message?

If they cant give you a confident, coherent answer that makes sense or they simply say we leave that to our writers then proceed with caution.

They are either very new, in which case I would suggest requesting a meeting with the writer and the sales manager to ensure that you get the right message (if theyre the right kind of person and admit they dont know all there is to know, they will suggest this to you anyway).

OR, if theyve been in radio for over 6 months and they cant answer your questions sufficiently, then I would say they are more interested in their budget than your business and I would kick em to the curb Seriously, you want an account manager who CARES about your message and your result, not just their budget.

A good account manager will tell you what you NEED to hear, not what you WANT to hear. Listen. After all, you know YOUR business, but they know how to get you MORE of it.

Wednesday 25th of March 2009 9:07:31 AM

Frugal Living Blog
I'm currently doing some blogging on http://www.guide2.co.nz/blogs/ruth-brown - if you'd like to stop by, please feel free.

I've long been a student of frugal living (well, ever since I started freelancing, anyway). Not knowing where you next dollar is coming from makes you more aware of this kind of thing.

Feel free to leave your thoughts.

Friday 5th of December 2008 3:23:38 PM

A Way with Words

Quote:

'Trying to be politically correct is like trying to pick up the clean end of a turd.'

John Moloney, Mayor of Mount Isa

...Kudos to you John, you've nailed it.

Friday 3rd of October 2008 10:38:37 AM

Death by Committee

Guess what - I'm famous..

Well, not me, exactly. But my poem - Death by Committee - got read out on the national radio program Macca on a Sunday. And while I didn't hear it, Mum did - he did apparently refer to it as, I quote, a good little poem, I think I might put it in my next book, unquote.

Well, I'm yet to hear from the man himself about when we'll start our book-signing tour together. But I have posted the poem on my home page - just click the on the Ruth Mouthin' Off tab on the right of the page here and have a listen.

Let me know what you think.

PS It in no way reflects my feelings on any committees I have been on, am on, or are likely to be on in the future.
Friday 4th of July 2008 12:02:34 PM

An Essay in Lint (a course writing assignment, theme: Obsession)
Let me tell you about my hernia. Its not something one usually likes to speak of in polite company or at least not in the company of those whose respect you crave. But there may be a lesson in this for all of us or at least the satisfaction of knowing theres someone out there more messed up than you.

It wasnt a hernia of the intestinal variety, but of the creative kind.

Take one over-worked brain, a clothes dryer and some relaxed housekeeping and what have you got? Lint Art. Yes, thats correct. Lint Art.

Its what happens when you work 12 hours a day as a radio copywriter, restricting your creative side to extolling the joys of 10 off at Crazy Clarks and creating for profit rather than pleasure. You hold it in for long enough, eventually somethings got to blow

The next minute you know, youre gazing at a build up of lint filter fluff like its the key to the universe. It was all so clear. The size of an old forty-five, these blue-grey discs were a record of life. The very fabric of our being

There was the green tinge of the jumper Tim got for his birthday, the ribbon of pink courtesy of my beach towel, the white specks of a Hunters Collectors concert ticket that Andy had left in his jeans. Every loose thread, forgotten tissue and stray pubic hair had a story to tell.

Woe betide Tim or Andy if they touched that lint filter I had lampshades to fashion, haute couture garments to design and murals to meld. I was a woman with a vision exhibitions, interviews, accolades they would all be mine.

No one could see what I saw and I couldnt see what they were seeing, until after many weeks of collecting my chosen media, I began to shape and lacquer my first lampshade.

Who was this woman with chicken wire and spray varnish trying to seal this collection of fuzz and unidentifiable DNA into something that might adorn a bedside table?

I was cured.

Ive now been completely lint-free for 10 years. I dont even own a dryer.

But I am one of the lucky ones. I see on the internet the National Lint Project* is showing at Studio Capezzuti in Georgia. Someone call the gastroenterologist thats what I call a hernia

In case you dont believe me:
http://www.studiocapezzuti.com/lint/lintguys.htm

Monday 19th of May 2008 8:51:48 AM

Sorry.
Finally.

Bless you Kevin Rudd.
Friday 15th of February 2008 2:58:06 PM

How to Fix Cricket
The only way to avoid the he said..he said match going on in cricket - is mic all the players.

Put a microphone on every player that's recorded in case of controversy. Very intrusive - yes. But seemingly the only way to stop the childish behaviour going on at the moment.

Ooh, there is one other way perhaps. THE LOT OF YOU - GROW UP.
Wednesday 9th of January 2008 10:24:17 AM

What happened to all my blogs
Everytime something happens with my web host - I lose my blogs... Note to self - new web host in order very soon.
Wednesday 9th of January 2008 10:23:20 AM

Magazine of the Year??
OK, enough is enough. I have held my tongue on 'womens magazines' - but I can no longer keep it in.

The front cover of this week's New Idea has the headline 'Posh and Kates Bizarre Baby Pact'. Are they serious?? Every week, they print utter, utter, utter (sorry touch of the Rik Mayal's there) CRAP. They don't have to prove it. They don't have to apologise for it, when it clearly turns out to be utter crap - for example: 'Nicole Kidman pregnant.'

To add insult to injury - the top banner of this pile of rubbish now sports the label 'Magazine of the Year'. (Aren't you lucky the exclamation point in my blog program doesn't work, coz there'd be a lot of them............)

The problem is - OBVIOUSLY someone's buying it. Alot.

So now everytime I'm in the supermarket, I'm looking at people sideways wondering if they're one of the culprits. I know we're all a little guilty of living vicariously through the lives of celebrities - lord knows I've picked up many a mag with Diana's face on it.

All I ask is this... If they are to continue to print utter crap, without having to take any responsibility or suffer any recourse - just be honest about it. It should be renamed No Idea, and instead of going into public circulation, it should go directly to the bottom of a coffee table in the nearest doctor's surgery. Because you've got to be SICK to read it. (Oh, what I wouldn't give for just one tiny exclamation point..)

Friday 24th of August 2007 9:37:30 AM

Patty White - Queen of the Crown
Saturday night, surrounded by 200 odd other guests at a gala presentation evening - Patricia White was awarded the 2007 Emerging Businesswoman of the Year. Patty has spent the last 2 and a bit years turning around the fortunes of the wonderful old Crown Hotel in Home Hill.

Among her many changes to the hotel, is her 40 bed backpacker accommodation - featuring the custom-made 'shag-proof' bunks. (I feel an Austin Powers 'Yeah baby' coming on...)

Her customers love her and so do I (as a completely unbiased neice) ... so if you're ever in Home Hill, looking for a cold beer and an awesome 2-95 lunch special - call in and see Patty at the Crown.
Monday 13th of August 2007 8:04:11 AM

Was Lost, but now am Found
Bless you again internet. In the I wonder what they're doing now stakes - you are king. Of course, the old it's a small world / six degrees of separation gets an honourable mention as well.

What are the odds of meeting someone in your home town of Mount Isa in waay outback Queensland - losing touch for 15-ish or more years - and then in their new life in the UK supplying IT to the Grand Prix circuit, they run into someone you happened to work with in Townsville - which gives them the impetus to look on the net and then before you know it your mobile is beeping with a text, bringing this great mate back to you through the mists of time.

Great to hear from you again John The man who's hat is a datch, with a penchant for rum (oops scotch now) and rugby and who's sense of adventure is still alive and well and running around Europe. So if you need a feast of sight and sound for your clients - www.adorimedia.com - WilliamsF1 reckons he's OK. Oh - and girls - he's single. So don't be shy.

Friday 10th of August 2007 8:21:51 AM

The Secret World of Crochet
Forgive me lord, for I have sinned, it has been many months since my last blog. Life has been taken up with mucho work (thank you very much) and my secret obsession...Crochet.

Yeah, I know - it's not the 'cool' craft, like the glam world of quilting or knitting. It's not scrapbooking - which has glued, snipped and sequined itself into every aisle of the craft fair. It's the simple, often forgotten craft, only good for the likes of doilies and towel edging. Well, not any more people.

Bless the net and it's ability to bring 'like minded' folks together. I urge you to visit this link - and meet the bold new face of crochet.

http://microfibermilitia.blogspot.com/2007_07_01_archive.html

Now, there are those who would say that they've 'slipped a little too many stitches'. But, all I can say is - Bow down before us, or feel the rather warm and fluffy wrath of the Micro-fiber Militia.
Tuesday 24th of July 2007 11:54:51 AM

Frangipani Plague
I've often been a follower (well, my car was behind them) of current car fashions and the latest in decorative decals.

Thankfully the days of declaring you're a 'Bad Bitch' or '100 percent Bitch' on your back window are finally fading (or peeling off slowly). It has now been replaced by the Frangipani decal - this delicate little flower in all sizes gracing the corner of your rear window.

Unfortunately for those who've chosen this floral display as a way of individualising their car - they've achieved just the opposite. These things have reached plague proportions on the road Everywhere you look, it's pink and white petals or yellow and white petals.

The other day I saw them on a brand new Mazda RX8. How do you spend over 50 grand on a car and put a 20 buck decal on the back window? That's vandalism.

Anyway, call me a '100 percent bitch' - but enough is enough girls - I think it's time to 'Ban the Frang'...

Wednesday 9th of May 2007 11:39:09 AM

Tailgating Remedy
I'm a casual student of human nature (and a rank amateur). The way we all react in certain situations intrigues me.

Now I believe I may have discovered a way to get create some distance between you and that pesky tailgater. No, not by those ridiculous Yosemite Sam 'back off' tyre covers - or by the 'if you can read this you're too close' bumper stickers - but simply by adjusting your rear vision mirror.

By night or day, I find that just 'adjusting' your rear vision mirror for a moment, tends to make the tailgater add some distance between you and them.

Why, I'm not sure. But I think it's to do with not wanting to be recognised - the anonymity they thought they had, surrounded by their ton of metal and plastic is in danger of being stripped away. So they back off.

Give it a try... Really - I'm finding it works and would love to hear if it works for you.

Wednesday 11th of April 2007 2:00:43 PM

To be successful, a brand must be built on what a company consistently delivers
Roy H. Williams The Wizard of Ads