#effective marketing research

[dionysus-complex]

there's no time like a Sunday evening in late July when the window in your apartment is open and you're listening to The Gaslight Anthem to think about making a major change in your life

[jcmarchi]

The Proliferation and Problem of the ✨ Sparkles ✨ Icon

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/the-proliferation-and-problem-of-the-sparkles-icon/

The Proliferation and Problem of the ✨ Sparkles ✨ Icon

Kate Kaplan hits on something over at Nielsen Norman Group’s blog that’s been bugging me:

The challenge with this icon is sparkle ambiguity: Participants in our recent research study generally agreed that it represented something a little special. But, what was that something? And why was it special? That was less obvious. We encountered widely and wildly varied interpretations.

Man, I hate those sparkles. Correction: I loathe it as an icon but I use the heck out the ✨ emoji. I may even go so far as to say that my favorite thing about Dave Rupert’s introduction to web components is that it is littered with ✨ emoji every time the word “superpower” is evoked.

(Correction for the correction: I love everything about Dave’s introduction to web components. Take the full course!)

Sparkles get closer to becoming the unofficial AI icon every time a new one makes its way into some new app’s UI — the same way some menus became hamburgers and others became kebabs.

It’s ambiguous, right? I will say that I was stoked to see Notion roll out a fresh new icon for their AI feature just this week:

A face is interesting! I find human heads less compelling, especially when they’re realistic. Same deal with robot heads, which is another theme you can spot in the wild. But a face, particularly one that’s on the whimsical side as a line drawing, looks like it could work in this context that’s specific to Notion. I imagine another company or app having a tough time pulling off the same icon because this one is so closely tied to Notion’s overall branding:

See how nice it is next to the rest of Notion’s icons?

I also like how Notion has several versions of the icon for use in different situations.

And, yes, it animates as well:

It’s the button that persists in the bottom-right corner.

I’m not saying Notion’s landed on a silver bullet. What I am saying is that they’re doing a great job transitioning from an ambiguous one to a more meaningful one, something that Kate articulates extremely well:

[S]parkles are used frequently to represent not only AI features and capabilities but also completely unrelated features and content, such as visual effects, deals or rewards, personalized ads, and new content.

I get worked up about this because I own a pessimistic and assumptive view that the proliferation of sparkles icons reeks of marketing. There’s no way for me to know this, of course, but I’ll unabashedly don my tinfoil hat for this one.

Anyway, Kate’s article is a much more thorough investigation that’s worth the deep dive — it’s a selection pulled from an entire book on the topic of successful icon design. I’ll leave you with a sobering quote:

Finally, I also predict that the icon’s association with AI-driven features will get stronger in the immediate future. So, for the time being, using it to indicate AI-driven features (or even simply new features) may be useful. Over time, as AI-driven features become more common or even expected across interfaces, there will be less of a need to call them out. It won’t matter that the features are AI-driven; it will matter only that they are present and meet user needs.

[dogcollarpunk]

being in my final year of uni has me waking up everyday like good god, I need to do 3497978 things before I graduate.

[youthoughtiwasserious]

Is anyone else experiencing mobile ads that are unmuted & start playing audio as soon as they come on your feed?

I keep hitting the mute button, but each ad I get still shows as unmuted & starts playing whatever music/audio it has in it. I'm almost positive I remember being able to mute one ad, then all other ads that pop up on my feed were muted, too. That no longer seems to be the case.

I wonder if this is a glitch or intentional. Somehow I have the feeling it's the latter, and if that's the case, that's scummy.

I'm less concerned about the minor inconvenience of having to lower/raise my volume whenever I want to watch a video then reminding myself to lower my volume again so I don't get jump scared by an ad later, & more concerned that it is an ad that is automatically unmuted & starts playing whenever it shows up on my feed.

I should have the option to keep my Tumblr browsing experience silent without having to lower my phone's volume all the way down. If I want to hear something play on my feed, I should have to unmute it myself vs. having it be unmuted for me unexpectedly.

Come to think of it, I feel like since I've started experiencing this issue, I've noticed more ads on my feed. Maybe I'm noticing them more bc now they have audio and catch my attention more often, or it could also be that they've just added more ads recently in addition to making all ads play sound whether you muted the previous ad or not.

[omegaversereloaded]

Coca-Cola is now on the official BDS boycott list!

From the website:

November 2024

1) Why?

Because Coca-Cola is implicated in Israeli war crimes.

According to research by WhoProfits, the Central Beverage Company, known as Coca-Cola Israel, which is the exclusive franchisee of the Coca-Cola Company in Israel, “operates a regional distribution center and cooling houses in the [Israeli] Atarot Settlement Industrial Zone.” Furthermore, its subsidiary, Tabor Winery, “produces wines from grapes sourced from vineyards located on occupied land in settlements in the West Bank and Syrian Golan.” 

The International Court of Justice affirmed in July 2024 that Israel’s entire occupation of Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, is illegal, as are all Israeli settlements built on occupied land. As Israeli settlements – on occupied Palestinian and Syrian land – are considered war crimes under international law, Coke is complicit in a war crime. 

Corporations that are implicated in the commission of international crimes connected to Israel’s unlawful occupation, racial segregation and apartheid regime - within or beyond the Palestinian territories occupied in 1967 - are all complicit and must be held accountable. Direct complicity includes military, logistical, intelligence, financial and infrastructure support. The corporations, as well as their boards of directors and executives, may face criminal liability for this complicity.

Local alternatives are popping up worldwide to substitute Coca-Cola, an unnecessary and replaceable beverage

Local alternatives to Coca-Cola have been gaining market share across the world, including in Palestine, China, Bangladesh, Sweden, Egypt, India, South Africa, Turkey, Lebanon and elsewhere.

2) Why NOW?

The BDS movement has always considered Coca-Cola boycottable but has not prioritized it as a target based on its careful and strategic target-selection criteria, so why endorse the Coke boycott now? 

Human rights and health activists, among many others, have been campaigning against Coca-Cola and similarly complicit corporations for decades, including grassroots drives targeting the company for its complicity in Israel’s gross violations of Palestinian human rights. 

During Israel’s ongoing, livestreamed genocide, Israeli soldiers have often been pictured with Coke cans, donated to them by various genocide-enabling groups. This has provoked even more anger against the company, particularly given that Israel is starving 2.3 million Palestinians in the occupied and besieged Gaza Strip, severely limiting their access to clean water and, as a result, inducing the mass spread of contagious diseases. 

Given this context, Palestinian activists in Gaza and many BDS activists in the Arab world, in many Muslim-majority countries, and in some European countries as well, have called on the BDS movement to add Coke to its priority targets.

The BDS movement had previously targeted General Mills for its manufacturing of Pillsbury products in the illegal Atarot Settlement Industrial Zone - the same Zone where the Coke facility operates. Thanks to effective BDS campaigning, we won the demand for General Mills to end its business in Atarot. We know a campaign against Coke is winnable too. 

Based on all the above, and given Coke’s large contribution (through business-as-usual and taxes) to Israel’s war chest during the genocide, the Palestinian BDS National Committee (BNC), the largest Palestinian coalition leading the global BDS movement, has endorsed the grassroots, organic #BoycottCoke campaigns to pressure the company to end its complicity in Israel’s illegal occupation, apartheid and genocide. 

UPDATED VERSION!!!!

[marketprofessional]

High-Level Disinfection Services Market: Safeguarding Health with Advanced Cleaning

The Importance of High-Level Disinfection: The High-Level Disinfection Services Market has seen a surge in demand as the need for sterile environments becomes more critical in hospitals, clinics, and public spaces. These services use advanced technologies and protocols to eliminate pathogens and reduce the spread of infection. 🚫 Trends: Ultraviolet (UV) disinfection, electrostatic sprayers, and automated cleaning systems. 🛡️ Impact: Boosting safety and hygiene standards, protecting patients and healthcare staff. #Disinfection #HygieneServices #HealthSafety

[insurance-brokers-india]

What are the next steps after obtaining an insurance broker license, and how can you generate potential leads using Mzapp CRM software?

Congratulations on securing your insurance broker license! The journey doesn’t end here; it’s just the beginning of building a successful insurance brokerage. Here’s how you can proceed and leverage Mzapp CRM software to find potential leads:

Steps After Getting Your Insurance Broker License

Understand Your Market: Research your target audience (individuals, businesses, or specific sectors).

Develop a Business Plan: Set goals for client acquisition, revenue, and operational processes.

Build a Network: Partner with insurance providers and attend industry events to establish your presence.

Create an Online Presence: Build a professional website and maintain active profiles on social platforms.

Offer Value-Added Services: Educate customers on policies, claims management, and risk assessments.

Using Mzapp CRM Software to Generate Leads

Lead Capture: Utilize Mzapp’s integrated forms and web tracking tools to capture inquiries from your website or social media.

Automated Follow-Ups: Set up personalized email and SMS follow-ups to nurture leads effectively.

Lead Scoring: Prioritize leads based on their interaction history, ensuring you focus on high-potential prospects.

Data-Driven Campaigns: Use analytics to identify what works and launch targeted campaigns.

Seamless Policy Management: Impress leads by showcasing how smoothly you manage policies and claims through Mzapp.

Why Choose Mzapp CRM?

Mzapp CRM simplifies lead management, streamlines operations, and provides insights into customer behavior, making it easier to convert prospects into loyal clients.

Learn more about how Mzapp can transform your insurance business here.

[ethiack]

The Fake Genius: a $30 BILLION Fraud.

Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF) was supposed to be a billionaire genius running the world's largest Crypto exchange: FTX. In only a few weeks, his $32B empire crumbled, leading to his arrest. In this video, we unravel one of the decade's most significant cases of financial fraud.

UPDATE: SAM BANKMAN-FRIED FOUND GUILTY OF ALL COUNTS OF FRAUD AND CONSPIRACY, after a month-long trial.

[poddar123]

How to Progress ahead with Mathematics?

[kmrealtygroup]

Is Chicago, Illinois Cheap or Expensive? Here’s the Answer.

If you’re mulling over a move to this bustling metropolis and scanning the “real estate for sale in Chicago, Illinois”, you’re likely curious: Is Chicago cheap or expensive?

Housing Costs in Chicago

When it comes to the housing market, the prices are as diverse as the city itself. A general consensus shows moderate costs compared to coastal cities.

Chicago’s Real Estate Market

From luxury condos downtown to single-family houses in the suburbs, Chicago has a range of accommodation styles. Naturally, the cost varies depending on the type and location.

Luxury Living in Chicago

If you opt for the high-end spectrum of “new properties for sale in the Chicagoland area and surrounding suburbs,” prices can reach into the millions.

Middle-of-the-pack Living

For more modest budgets, homes outside the hub can be attractively priced, providing excellent value in terms of space and amenities.

Cost of Living Index

Considering other living costs, Chicago’s index stands at 106.9, slightly above the U.S. average of 100. While some areas could be expensive, others are surprisingly affordable.

Food and Leisure Prices

Dining out in Chicago can be both a bargain and a splurge. Street food is wallet-friendly, whereas fine dining experiences can be quite steep.

Transportation Costs in Chicago

Getting around Chicago with public transit systems is reasonable. Meanwhile, parking and gas prices can significantly increase the commuting costs for car owners.

Verdict: Cheap or Expensive?

As seen, it completely depends on your lifestyle and where you choose to live and dine. By researching and budgeting, it’s possible to find cost-effective solutions.

Find Your Preferred Lifestyle

The housing options align with a wide range of budgets, whether you’re browsing budget-friendly homes or looking for extravagant properties for sale in the Chicagoland area and surrounding suburbs.

In Summary

Ultimately, living in Chicago can be cheap, expensive, or somewhere in between, factoring in your individual budget, lifestyle, and specific choices — particularly in housing.

KM Realty Group LLC — your trusted source for all your real estate needs in Chicago, Illinois!

[nittyagi]

Step-by-Step Content Marketing Guide for Business Success

Content marketing is vital for businesses to connect with their audience and drive profitable action. This guide covers essential strategies, from setting clear goals and identifying the target audience, to content creation, distribution, and measuring

Content marketing has become an indispensable tool for businesses aiming to attract and engage their target audience. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through step-by-step content marketing strategies that can elevate your brand’s online presence. Whether you’re a seasoned marketer or just starting, this guide will provide valuable insights and practical steps to create an effective…