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Muzak To The Ears Not The Eyes

Shane Hodge • October 5, 2021
muzak

Music soothes the soul, calms the savage beast, and back in the day, it was playing in the background when we shopped, stood in an elevator, it was even played in the background of large factories. It wasn't just any music, it was Muzak. It was music that was designed to relax or excite, change the mood, get you to shop till you drop, or work and not watch the clock.

Yep, you could be sobbing whilst walking into Final Clouds Funeral Home to arrange Aunt Glady’s moment of resting in peace, kleenex tissues mopping up the tears, when all of a sudden you open the door and specially prepared Muzak hits your ears and calms you down, so you’re ready, willing, and able to slap that plastic down on the latest and greatest final resting place.

A shopping spree with the crazy out of control five-year-old becomes a true sanctuary of peace as soon as you walk through the mall doors and the Muzak playing specially orchestrated Christmas music? Lifted your burdens, you made peace with the crazy child, and soon, you're ready to hand over your hard earned cash with a smile for the latest and greatest of whatever you didn't need.

Yes, dear listeners from the 1930’s right up until the 80’s, Muzak was in our ears and according to some, altering our behavior to get us in the mood to shop and work at superhuman levels.

Muzak had its own orchestra and developed background music using what was referred to as “stimulus progression”, customizing the pace and style of the music provided throughout the workday in an effort to maintain productivity in the workplace.

But people started to wake up. A growing awareness among the public that Muzak was targeted to manipulate behavior resulted in a backlash, including accusations of being a brainwashing technique and court challenges in the 1950s.

In the 80’s, a famous rock star Ted Nugent made a bid to buy the company so he could close it down. He famously said, "Muzak is an evil force in today's society, causing people to lapse into uncontrollable fits of blandness". Nugent further said, "It's been responsible for ruining some of the best minds of our generation."

Stimulus progression even made its way into websites, and yes, in the early days of Online Extravaganza Business Showcases, you could click on a link, grab a nice cup of hot chocolate or a glass of red, cuddle up with a blanket, and scroll through endless amount of words and pictures whilst being serenaded by stimulus progression in the background.

And that folks, after my history lesson, brings me to the point of my Words of Wisdom from TheCamel today.

Back in the day when there was but a few websites and people had patience, where FB likes and TikTok 5-seconds of joy did not exist, music, endless Wikipedia text, and encyclopedia product descriptions had a place in the first web impression business.

But now? NOT! Nobody is going to be sitting there with a cup or glass of joy and diligently studying all that information you believe is important. If they don’t get there in a six-second rush of “show me what I need”, then “send me to where I book and buy”? They will click off in a heart beat and move on to another site that will fulfill their needs and desires.

Yes, we have to be strong as there will still be a few customers out there that would love music, a breakdown of “About Us” that reads like a report from Ancestry Dot Com. But, you have to be strong and tell them it no longer belongs. Websites are all about tell them, show them, as fast as you can get to the point, and then, give them an exit via a Credit Card take away, a booking a table, or making an appointment app.

Your design advice should be driven by the lyrics of a great song by KC and The Sunshine Band, customers should be humming in the background, “That’s the way, ah huh ah huh, I like it”

Hugs to all.

TheCamel.Co Words of Wisdom Takeaways (Just in case you don't have patience LOL)

  • Website design must stick to SHOW and TELL what customers want to book or buy.
  • Give enough information that will lead to a purchase/booking or a call to action to contact.
  • Steer away from gimmicks like Music (not even for funeral homes) or flickering lights.
  • Make the design exciting but focus on the fact it's now a Marketing Machine not just a Website.
  • Don't be afraid to tell your customers something wont work.

By Shane Hodge December 3, 2024
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By Shane Hodge November 1, 2024
Ah, the digital agency dream! The freedom to set your own hours, the thrill of building something from scratch, and the joy of staying in bed all day because your motivation decided to take a vacation. We've all been there. One moment you're ready to conquer the world, and the next, you're contemplating if you can run your business from under the covers. Fear not, fellow business warriors! Here’s a guide to reigniting that spark when your get up and go has got up and gone. 1. The Snooze Button Tango First things first, let's address the elephant in the room: the snooze button. It's tempting, isn't it? Just one more tap and you can dream a little longer about that tropical island getaway. But here's a tip: place your alarm clock across the room. This way, you'll have to physically get out of bed to turn it off. By the time you've stumbled across the room, you're halfway to being a functioning human. Plus, it's a great way to practice your morning dance moves! 2. Coffee: The Elixir of Life If motivation had a flavor, it would undoubtedly be coffee. There's something magical about that first sip that transforms you from a groggy zombie into a semi-alert human. So, brew yourself a cup of your favorite blend and let the caffeine work its wonders. If you're not a coffee person, tea or a refreshing smoothie can do the trick too. The key is to find your personal elixir that kickstarts your day. 3. Dress for Success (Even if No One Will See You) Working from home has its perks, like wearing pajamas all day. But sometimes, a lack of motivation stems from feeling too comfortable. Try dressing up as if you're heading to an important meeting. It might sound silly, but putting on your "power outfit" can boost your confidence and productivity. Plus, you never know when an impromptu video call might happen! 4. The To-Do List: Your New Best Friend When you're feeling overwhelmed, a to-do list can be your savior. Start with small, manageable tasks and gradually work your way up to the big ones. There's nothing more satisfying than crossing items off your list. It's like a mini celebration each time you do it. And if you're feeling extra adventurous, add "make a to-do list" to your list just so you can cross it off immediately. Instant success! 5. Dance Like Nobody's Watching Sometimes, all you need is a little music to lift your spirits. Create a playlist of your favorite upbeat songs and have a dance party in your living room. Not only will it boost your mood, but it's also a fun way to get some exercise. Remember, the goal is to have fun, so let loose and dance like nobody's watching (because they probably aren't). 6. Phone a Friend When motivation is low, reach out to a fellow entrepreneur or a friend who understands the struggle. A quick chat can provide a fresh perspective and remind you that you're not alone. Plus, sharing a laugh or two can work wonders for your mood. Just make sure the conversation doesn't turn into a marathon gossip session! 7. Reward Yourself Set small goals throughout the day and reward yourself when you achieve them. Whether it's a piece of chocolate, a short walk outside, or a few minutes of scrolling through your favorite social media, having something to look forward to can keep you motivated. Just be careful not to let the rewards overshadow the work! 8. Watch TheCamel.co Live Stream Replays Shameless Promotion, LOL, at least you can have a laugh rather than be miserable. In conclusion, when your get up and go has got up and gone, remember that it's perfectly normal to have off days. The key is to find what works for you and embrace the journey with a sense of humor. After all, laughter is the best motivator. So, get up, get moving, and show the world what you're made of! Hugs from TheCamel
By Shane Hodge September 27, 2024
Yes we have to pay humans (How dare they ask for money some ask) But Folks In a world where artificial intelligence is rapidly advancing, it's easy to imagine a future where robots are designing our logos, creating our advertisements, and even picking out the perfect shade of blue for our websites. But before we hand over our graphic design tools to our silicon-based friends, let's take a moment to appreciate why humans are still the reigning champions of creativity in the design world. Spoiler alert: it’s not just because we can appreciate a good cup of coffee while working! The Human Touch : More Than Just Opposable Thumbs AI might be able to churn out designs faster than you can say "Helvetica," but it lacks the human touch. There's something about the way a human designer can capture emotion, tell a story, and connect with an audience that AI just can't replicate. It's like comparing a hand-knitted sweater from grandma to a mass-produced one from a factory. Sure, they both keep you warm, but only one comes with a side of love and a hint of mothballs. Creativity : The Unpredictable Muse AI is great at following patterns and algorithms, but creativity often thrives on breaking the rules. Human designers have the ability to think outside the box, color outside the lines, and occasionally spill coffee on the canvas, creating a masterpiece by accident. AI, on the other hand, would probably just short-circuit at the sight of a coffee stain. Humor : The Secret Ingredient Let's face it, AI doesn't have a sense of humor. It might be able to generate a pun or two, but it doesn't understand the nuances of wit and sarcasm. Human designers can infuse humor into their work, making it relatable and memorable. After all, who doesn't love a good visual pun? Just imagine an AI trying to design a funny cat meme—it would probably end up with a picture of a toaster. Empathy : Designing with Heart Graphic design is not just about making things look pretty; it's about understanding the audience and designing with empathy. Humans have the ability to put themselves in others' shoes (or flip-flops, if that's your thing) and create designs that resonate on a deeper level. AI might be able to analyze data, but it can't feel the joy of a child seeing their favorite cartoon character or the nostalgia of a retro design. The Happy Accidents Some of the best designs come from happy accidents—those unexpected moments of brilliance that occur when a designer is experimenting and playing around. AI is programmed to avoid mistakes, but humans know that sometimes, a little chaos can lead to something extraordinary. It's like the time you accidentally added too much chili to your soup and discovered a new favorite dish. The Human Connection At the end of the day, design is about connecting with people. Human designers have the ability to build relationships, understand client needs, and collaborate in ways that AI simply can't. Plus, humans are much better at handling client feedback without overheating or needing a reboot. In conclusion, while AI is a fantastic tool that can assist in the design process, it lacks the creativity, empathy, and humor that make human designers truly exceptional. So, the next time you're admiring a beautifully crafted logo or a cleverly designed ad, remember to thank the human behind the screen. After all, we're the ones who can appreciate the finer things in life—like a perfectly brewed cup of coffee and a well-timed joke. Love & Hugs from TheCamel
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