I thought this website was Genius!

142 replies
I was browsing the web, and I came across a post about this website: www.alittlebitofsomething. co.uk/

I have to say, I think the copy on this website is genius. It made me, as an employer, WANT to give projects to this guy. Talk about forward, realistic, and down to earth. Seems like the type of guy who cuts the BS out of taking on a project, and just delivers. It actually made me laugh along the way, and really hooked me in and kept my interest.

What do you think of the copy on his website?
#genius #thought #website
  • Profile picture of the author GameVoid
    5 years ago it would have been cool. Now edgy, rude, and "I'm a genius, don't question my brilliance" are tired and out dated. I guess that's why he's a web designer and not a copywriter. At least 5 of his "brilliant" designs in his little montage look like those free templates you get on Hostgator or a free downloadable theme from WP.
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    • Originally Posted by GameVoid View Post

      5 years ago it would have been cool. Now edgy, rude, and "I'm a genius, don't question my brilliance" are tired and out dated. I guess that's why he's a web designer and not a copywriter. At least 5 of his "brilliant" designs in his little montage look like those free templates you get on Hostgator or a free downloadable theme from WP.
      I'd have to agree. And while curse words don't offend me at all (not even close) it's really apparent this guy is cursing just to curse, which is annoying.

      Well, maybe "annoying" isn't the right word to describe it.

      Because it's annoying when it's a 13 year old kid that's just learning how to use curse words that does it; it's downright obnoxious when it's an adult on his "professional" website.

      There really is an art to cursing well. This guy slept through that class.
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    • Profile picture of the author sdk1975
      Originally Posted by GameVoid View Post

      5 years ago it would have been cool. Now edgy, rude, and "I'm a genius, don't question my brilliance" are tired and out dated. I guess that's why he's a web designer and not a copywriter. At least 5 of his "brilliant" designs in his little montage look like those free templates you get on Hostgator or a free downloadable theme from WP.
      I don't think this approach was ever a good idea, not 5 years ago and not today. I can't imagine ever wanting to employee someone who thinks this sort of attitude would entice me.
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  • Profile picture of the author TolyZ
    I thought it was pretty good.
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  • Profile picture of the author atomiccloud
    I personally like it but that's just me
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  • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
    Banned
    Well, if he didn't have a he*l of a portfolio to back it up, I wouldn't like it, but he does. His work speaks for itself.
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    • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
      Banned
      Originally Posted by sbucciarel View Post

      Well, if he didn't have a he*l of a portfolio to back it up, I wouldn't like it, but he does. His work speaks for itself.
      I don't like his copy much.

      His work looks both good and interesting - the little bit of it that he's showing. But why just pictures of the home pages(?) of sites he's designed rather than links to them, so that people can judge better? Did I miss something here? I loaded the page and waited, and looked around for links but couldn't find anything ... is it just the pictures of pages, without links?
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      • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
        Banned
        Originally Posted by Alexa Smith View Post

        I don't like his copy much.

        His work looks both good and interesting - the little bit of it that he's showing. But why just pictures of the home pages(?) of sites he's designed rather than links to them, so that people can judge better? Did I miss something here? I loaded the page and waited, and looked around for links but couldn't find anything ... is it just the pictures of pages, without links?
        Got a good point there. I tried to find a couple of the sites pictured with no luck. He might have done all that for portfolio work and a site not actually exist or he could be a fraud or I suppose there could be some other reason.

        EDIT: Just found one. I would definitely be getting references from those actual sites. Otherwise, I like his work and cussing doesn't bother me.
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    • Profile picture of the author Jeff Lenney
      Originally Posted by sbucciarel View Post

      Well, if he didn't have a he*l of a portfolio to back it up, I wouldn't like it, but he does. His work speaks for itself.
      I agree 100%. While I didnt seo analyze any of his sites they LOOK great and are nicely done. I dug the copy too. I guess it's not for everybody but look, it got us talking about it. I wonder how many other forums are having this same discussion and how much business it's brought him. Viral marketing at it's best!!!
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    • Profile picture of the author Mike Anthony
      Originally Posted by sbucciarel View Post

      Well, if he didn't have a he*l of a portfolio to back it up, I wouldn't like it, but he does. His work speaks for itself.
      Really? I had the exact opposite reaction, I don't think he could win a single job on 99designs. I thought with that opening I was going to see amazing but it was all kind of standard and ordinary as far as what I saw of the website design.

      I mean frankly if that is his best in his portfolio then he is average or below average. I can do web designs like that and I am not a good designer.
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      • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
        Banned
        Originally Posted by Mike Anthony View Post

        Really? I had the exact opposite reaction, I don't think he could win a single job on 99designs. I thought with that opening I was going to see amazing but it was all kind of standard and ordinary as far as what I saw of the website design.
        He's a real designer if that's his work. He wouldn't put his stuff on 99 designs. 99 designs is for designer wannabeees that are willing to give work to try to get work. Real designers design for money.
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        • Profile picture of the author mojojuju
          Originally Posted by sbucciarel View Post

          He's a real designer if that's his work. He wouldn't put his stuff on 99 designs. 99 designs is for designer wannabeees that are willing to give work to try to get work. Real designers design for money.
          I think his point was not whether or not Dan would put his stuff on 99 designs, but that if he did, he couldn't win a single job - because, that's like what he said.
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        • Profile picture of the author Mike Anthony
          Originally Posted by sbucciarel View Post

          He's a real designer if that's his work. He wouldn't put his stuff on 99 designs. 99 designs is for designer wannabeees that are willing to give work to try to get work. Real designers design for money.

          Thats exactly why I put that because they are newbs and they kill his designs. I really don't care what somebody wants to consider themselves I pay for design work not for their "artist" ambitions. end product is all that matters


          His old cheese cake factory design is a throw back to the 80s. It is REALLY bad. No way I would pay $1,000 for that. His building dispute site is absolutely dreadful. He would have to pay me a $1,000 to use it. His altek design is blocky and reminds me of templates - from 5 years ago (actually more than 5). Seriously the bird rating and demille design are the only decent ones so if its artistry i have to think its in his copy because if those are his best designs it ain't in the work or maybe he's just punking the customer with that too.
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          • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
            Banned
            Originally Posted by Mike Anthony View Post

            Thats exactly why I put that because they are newbs and they kill his designs. I really don't care what somebody wants to consider themselves I pay for design work not for their "artist" ambitions. end product is all that matters
            So you're not his target market and I'm not the target market for 99 cheesy designs. Taste is subjective. You don't like his stuff. I do. Others here don't and others here do.
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            • Profile picture of the author Mike Anthony
              Originally Posted by sbucciarel View Post

              So you're not his target market and I'm not the target market for 99 cheesy designs. Taste is subjective. You don't like his stuff. I do. Others here don't and others here do.
              actually design is less subjective than you think. that would be a good argument if in fact you were and I were the only viewers but a site is to be viewed by the masses so yeah there are standards and theres no way anyone can objectively say that his building dispute design meets any high quality. Look at it (not you - but others reading this)for goodness sake

              http://www.alittlebitofsomething.co....o_building.jpg

              To put it blunt its a crappy design to put into your portfolio. I'd hide it and burn it before putting it in mine. There is not a single newbie web designer that couldn't put that site together in a few minutes. no great work.

              So yeah you can say its good and its your right and now I am saying it isn't - thats mine. Forget 99designs. There are all kinds of web galleries of all kinds of tastes and none of his designs would feature especially not the building dispute site. no appeal to artistry changes a bad design.




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              • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
                Banned
                Originally Posted by Mike Anthony View Post

                actually design is less subjective than you think.

                So yeah you can say its good and its your right and now I am saying it isn't - thats mine. Forget 99designs. There are all kinds of web galleries of all kinds of tastes and none of his designs would feature especially not the building dispute site. no appeal to artistry changes a bad design.
                Actually it is as subjective as I think. It's purely subjective. Everyone has different tastes.

                And I'm well aware of top web galleries. I was one of the top selling graphic designers on Elance for about 5 years until I quit the freelance sites due to all the lowballing offshore providers.

                When someone designs a site, they also have a client to please and that site may tickle the client pink.
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                • Profile picture of the author Mike Anthony
                  Originally Posted by sbucciarel View Post


                  When someone designs a site, they also have a client to please and that site may tickle the client pink.
                  Separate issue. Still doesn't make it a great design. Customers have awful design tastes doesn't mean I stick it in my portfolio as the best work I have done. However If you argue that that makes it great then all the 99designers are great designers and at half and less the cost. Their customers like it. Can't have that argument both ways. by that rationale there are no bad designers. We are all great cause somebody out there will likes our stuff. Some people get a kick out of stick figures as well.

                  I guess I take it back. I am a designer since I have sold a lot of web designs that people loved. I should jump in and offer what I consider poor work for $1,000. All I need to do is curse and have a bad attitude and hey I'm an artist.

                  still -facts remains that design can be done by a noob in less than 20 minutes . its a standard logo up top and to the left ordinary design with elementary level layout. I saw some worpress themes you offered (with content I believe). Good stuff. I doubt you would put that design I linked into your collection if you could. Judging by your taste and work there I am pretty confident it wouldn't make your grade. though you might say otherwise now.

                  Said my piece. good night to you.
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  • Profile picture of the author BrandenNaka
    Mixed feelings on this one...

    Pretty bold and I like that he stands up for his work (which is pretty great btw)...but with that said, he really does curse just to curse and that can getting annoying very fast.
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  • Profile picture of the author Andyhenry
    Foul mouth and charging £2k for a wordpress site - Good luck to him.

    I would never hire him purely based on the cursing but some people might.
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    nothing to see here.

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    • Profile picture of the author highway81
      AndyHenry! You sound like someone I want to know and learn from. Cheers.
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  • Profile picture of the author newgenlead
    It looks like stranger and make someone curious
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  • Profile picture of the author mojojuju
    To me he comes across as someone who's trying hard to be edgy.
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    • Profile picture of the author ladywriter
      Originally Posted by mojojuju View Post

      To me he comes across as someone who's trying hard to be edgy.
      Bingo. I stopped being impressed with that kind of attitude when I was 13. I know bad***es, and he isn't one I can pretty much guarantee.

      He might be suitable if you want a simple website in his style, but he seems like he would be hellish to communicate with on something more complex.
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  • Profile picture of the author travlinguy
    There are three things anything you put on a site can be:

    Helpful
    Neutral
    Harmful

    Why alienate people who would be offened or otherwise put off by cursing? It's stupid. There is no way someone would be put off by a lack of cursing so it doesn't make sense. The designs looked good but there are people who wouldn't touch this designer because of the cursing. It must be nice to be so busy you can alienate potential customers.
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    • Profile picture of the author WilliamBerg
      His work is not nearly good enough for that attitude if you ask me.
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    • Profile picture of the author CDarklock
      Originally Posted by travlinguy View Post

      Why alienate people who would be offened or otherwise put off by cursing?
      Because those are the people who complain, and people who complain eat up more of your time for less of a return than anyone else.

      So I'm on the same page he is. Alienate those people and drive them away as quickly as possible, before they can get close enough to start wasting your time.

      See, look at Frank Kern's situation. He has about 300,000 people on his list. And whenever he sends a promotion, the ones who actually buy are within the last 2,000 people to join it. That's one out of every 150 people. And do you know what that says to me?

      Frank Kern's list should have 2,000 people on it. Because right now, his conversion rate is 1/150 of what it ought to be.

      But Frank Kern wants to be everybody's friend!

      Me, I don't. I want a tiny little segment of the market - maybe 3% to 5% - that positively LOVES my stuff. Nice is nowhere. I don't want everyone to like my stuff. Screw those people. I want rabid, ravening fans that scream and dance and BUY when I drop a product. Not a big number in my list provider account.
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      • Profile picture of the author travlinguy
        Originally Posted by CDarklock View Post

        Because those are the people who complain, and people who complain eat up more of your time for less of a return than anyone else.

        So I'm on the same page he is. Alienate those people and drive them away as quickly as possible, before they can get close enough to start wasting your time.

        See, look at Frank Kern's situation. He has about 300,000 people on his list. And whenever he sends a promotion, the ones who actually buy are within the last 2,000 people to join it. That's one out of every 150 people. And do you know what that says to me?

        Frank Kern's list should have 2,000 people on it. Because right now, his conversion rate is 1/150 of what it ought to be.

        But Frank Kern wants to be everybody's friend!

        Me, I don't. I want a tiny little segment of the market - maybe 3% to 5% - that positively LOVES my stuff. Nice is nowhere. I don't want everyone to like my stuff. Screw those people. I want rabid, ravening fans that scream and dance and BUY when I drop a product. Not a big number in my list provider account.
        I know exactly what you're saying. My point is, this guy is cursing. Big deal. Anyone can do that. It's not any special distinction. You draw a parallel to your own marketing. But I don't agree you're in the same boat as this guy, not even close.

        What makes you stand out is you're unique and interesting. Not just that, you're smart. You see things others often miss. You even go off the deep end from time to time and stretch things to the limit. But it's okay to hit the outer edge once in a while if you've got the goods. More often than not you add something of value to a discussion.

        The guy who curses to be unique isn't special at all. That nonsense is common. Anyone can do it. There are lots of ways to make yourself stand out.

        If I wanted to evoke emotion as a writer I could create a scene where someone shoots some puppies. That would do the job. But that's the cheap, easy way. Or I could do it in a literary fashion using irony, fall from grace, overcoming adversity or some other legitimate technique.

        I guess I'm just a little sick of people shooting puppies to get attention.
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        • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
          Banned
          Originally Posted by travlinguy View Post

          I guess I'm just a little sick of people shooting puppies to get attention.
          I am, generally, also.

          That may have been this guy's motivation (in which case he probably failed?) or he might genuinely have been trying to put some people off and attract others (in which case maybe he's successful?). We don't know. :confused:

          I suspect that Caliban and yourself don't actually disagree fundamentally, here: it may be that Caliban's looking at this more as a "filter" to exclude people the guy doesn't want to work for, and you're looking at it more as a sales page, trying to attract potential customers (which is - clearly - what most sales pages do?).
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          • Profile picture of the author BillyBee
            To my mind, the copy wasn't funny enough to justify the arrogant posturing.

            Examples:

            I am not a horse. I am a human.
            I don't take cheques, they're sh**.

            That comes off as trying to be cute rather than being inherently funny.

            It's very hard to be truly funny in print. Very few can do it. David Sedaris comes to mind as someone who can do that without looking like he's trying to be funny.

            However, I do like people going outside the box, though, and being themselves. This guy's clearly done that.
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            • Profile picture of the author mojojuju
              Originally Posted by BillyBee View Post

              To my mind, the copy wasn't funny enough to justify the arrogant posturing
              Similarly, I don't think his design skills are good enough to justify his arrogant posturing.
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        • Profile picture of the author CDarklock
          Originally Posted by travlinguy View Post

          I know exactly what you're saying. My point is, this guy is cursing. Big deal. Anyone can do that.
          Saying "sh!t" four times on a 700+ word website doesn't strike me as all he is doing there. A lot of his comments sound like something I would write myself - the "injured monkey" imitation, the "long nasal hair" comment, the "blouse and PVC boots" outfit.

          Plus I actually remember the wetsuit he sold, and dug up the link:

          “Urine free” eBay wetsuit sells for £9,000 | swns.com

          Not anyone can do that.
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          "The Golden Town is the Golden Town no longer. They have sold their pillars for brass and their temples for money, they have made coins out of their golden doors. It is become a dark town full of trouble, there is no ease in its streets, beauty has left it and the old songs are gone." - Lord Dunsany, The Messengers
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          • Profile picture of the author travlinguy
            Originally Posted by CDarklock View Post

            Saying "sh!t" four times on a 700+ word website doesn't strike me as all he is doing there. A lot of his comments sound like something I would write myself - the "injured monkey" imitation, the "long nasal hair" comment, the "blouse and PVC boots" outfit.

            Plus I actually remember the wetsuit he sold, and dug up the link:

            "Urine free" eBay wetsuit sells for £9,000 | swns.com

            Not anyone can do that.
            Point taken. But leading the way he has will preclude many (I, for one) from finding out he's actually got something.
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            • Profile picture of the author CDarklock
              Originally Posted by travlinguy View Post

              But leading the way he has will preclude many (I, for one) from finding out he's actually got something.
              It's arguable that this is rather the point of that lead.
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              "The Golden Town is the Golden Town no longer. They have sold their pillars for brass and their temples for money, they have made coins out of their golden doors. It is become a dark town full of trouble, there is no ease in its streets, beauty has left it and the old songs are gone." - Lord Dunsany, The Messengers
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        • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
          Banned
          Originally Posted by travlinguy View Post

          The guy who curses to be unique isn't special at all. That nonsense is common. Anyone can do it. There are lots of ways to make yourself stand out.

          I guess I'm just a little sick of people shooting puppies to get attention.
          He says **** a couple of times. It's his style. He can sell his goods any way he wants to. If he wants to eliminate a certain segment of the market, that's his right. His work is very good, if that is his work, and I'm still not convinced of that ... but if it is, his work speaks for itself and he may as well let potential customers know who he is and how he works up front.

          As for his attitude. I know where it comes from. I've designed on Elance for years and people do hire you and then attempt to micromanage the project making horrendous design requests. Why bother to hire a designer if you want to direct the design and end up with inferior results?

          I would have loved to write that part of it into my proposals and eliminate those types of customers.
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  • Profile picture of the author SocialMediaOwls
    12 years and he's only designed websites? Pretty sad. That's like bragging you've been on the fries station for 12 years

    And people are moving off of websites/pc's...this tool needs to get a grip
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    • Profile picture of the author Ken Durham
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      • Originally Posted by Ken Durham View Post

        This reminds me of a time I was arguing with a Walmart employee while trying to buy a single tire for an old car, but he insisted he could only sell tires in pairs, in which he exclaims, "I know what I'm talking about! I've been working in the tire department for 7 years!", in which I responded; "I'm sorry to hear that" as I walked out the door and went across the street to Sears and bought a single tire, no questions asked... :rolleyes:
        While I can't imagine why any store would have a policy against selling single tires, I also can't imagine why you seem so proud of yourself to poke fun at someone for working at Wal-Mart for 7 years.

        I guess not everyone is as smart/lucky/cool/educated/awesome as you, huh?
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    • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
      Banned
      Originally Posted by SocialMediaOwls View Post

      12 years and he's only designed websites? Pretty sad. That's like bragging you've been on the fries station for 12 years

      And people are moving off of websites/pc's...this tool needs to get a grip
      12 years of building brands, logos and websites. And how is that like doing "fries" for 12 years. And you do what? Fiverr clones?
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    • Profile picture of the author cypherslock
      Originally Posted by SocialMediaOwls View Post

      12 years and he's only designed websites? Pretty sad. That's like bragging you've been on the fries station for 12 years

      And people are moving off of websites/pc's...this tool needs to get a grip
      Now THIS ticks me off. You should NEVER EVER denigrate how someone chooses to make a living. I would have liked to see the actual working sites and think that the way he's laid out his copy is....odd...I may wear glasses but I'm not THAT blind (yet). But on the whole I kind of agree with what he says. Frankly it was a big reason why I stopped doing web design for clients: they hire me as the expert, don't give me content that I need (can't manufacture it out of thin air ya know) and then proceeded to tell me how to do my damn job. Nuts to that. The customer is NOT always right. I just got tired of dealing with it. So good for him for speaking his mind.

      And some of us got into IM through designing websites and it is still viable.
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  • Profile picture of the author nagidr
    very cool wish i could afford it
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    • Profile picture of the author dshipman
      I'm not a big fan of profanity, but I do like the way the website looks.
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  • Profile picture of the author Istvan Horvath
    As somebody who used to make sites for clients I have to agree with the part saying "go and do what you are good at and let me do my job, don't **** tell me HOW to do my job" - or something like that. I have fired clients when they wanted to tell me HOW to do my stuff instead of just letting me know WHAT they wanted
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  • Profile picture of the author mr2monster
    Lots of haters in here....

    I'm guessing that if swearing offends you, you're not in his target market. Just like if being a control freak is your thing, he doesn't really want to work with you either..

    I think he's done a fine job at narrowing down his niche and qualifying his clients to the point that he probably gets pretty solid leads from his site.

    On top of that, he's created something buzz-worthy enough that he's getting free viral advertising from people posting it on forums, 5K+ people liking it on facebook, etc.

    Also, I'm betting that a LOT of that is his "competition" (i.e. other freelancers) doing the free advertising for him because they agree (but are too afraid to say?) with his overall tone.
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  • Profile picture of the author grandstar
    I personally don't like it but it works for him!

    Really not everyone is an internet marketer so what may be crappy to you but mean the world to people.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jay_Selders
    I think that the fact that we are just sitting here talking about his site today would be a success for him. In something like web design its hard to be "different" and doing something like this is a nice way to stand out and be shared (saw this site on reddit earlier). And there is no such thing as bad publicity.
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  • Profile picture of the author tmjoe
    I would rather say that he got balls. Even I disagree to the choice of his words to certain extent, sometimes you have to be blunt when dealing with people. And I say sometimes. I think maybe he is using this site to experiment the result of it.
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  • Profile picture of the author brentb
    Everyone is missing the point of his website! His approach is entertaining to many... getting him 3.3k +1s and 5744 likes... how many other single website designers get attention like that... just because hes entertaining, he was posted here for everyone to see. Viral advertising for him...

    Plus so what if he alienates someone, if he was totally PC, he would alienate other people (I personally cant stand people who are too PC to be honest and would prefer to do business with someone who doesn't mind a cuss word or two). Maybe he doesn't want to do business with uptight people anyways... Its great marketing because you are all talking about it and passing the link around on a forum... THATS THE POINT!
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  • Profile picture of the author Tsnyder
    I thought it was all very amusing... I like the guy.
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    If you knew what I know you'd be doing what I do...
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  • Profile picture of the author Andyhenry
    Why do people really put stock in those facebook likes and Google +1's?

    Those things can be 'manufactured'.

    He could just be an arrogant designer who is so far up himself that he think's his design skills are the most important thing anyone could have, but have zero clue about SEO or marketing and make sites that put his customers out of business.

    I've seen people like that before. Their ego is so big that they actually don't care about how well their clients site performs, just how much they like the design they did.

    I've also met many people who have paid many thousands of pounds for a flashy looking website that never made them any money.

    Just because he's being different by using abusive language that doesn't mean he's not BSing.

    If you like swearing then it's easy to say "there are a lot of haters - but it's working for him because we're talking about him" - but who has bought anything from him?

    Again people are making massive assumptions that because a few people on a forum had a discussion about his language when someone pointed it out that he must be getting business - there's no direct relationship between those things.

    Maybe he is doing well - we have no way to tell.

    He could be a ten year old kid with a bad attitude and no skills who's just put up a page with high prices that he copied from somewhere else. The point is, all we have is speculation.

    So saying things like "it's great marketing because we're talking about it" doesn't actually make it so.

    I could scrape up some cat vommit onto a piece of paper and try to sell it as art on Ebay and some people would talk about it and tell others about it - that doesn't make it great marketing.

    I don't really care for it and it's possible it's working for him, but there seem to be people looking to create assumptions that support their own view point when in fact we have no information about whether it's working or not at all.

    Just sayin.
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Meaney
    Someone needs to read what Jay Levinson says about "ego free websites"...

    But if it's working for him, kudos.
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  • Profile picture of the author Peter Gehr
    I'm all for candid and upfront presence, but this guy needs a writer.

    The potty mouth lost me almost right away, and the attitude sounds like his description of his appearance.

    He's obviously doing some degree of business, but his delivery would be narrowing down his clientele...and I wouldn't be one of them, but hey, that's just me.
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    • Profile picture of the author ExRat
      Hi,

      They appear to understand and have a decent grasp of viral/word of mouth marketing.

      There are places in the copy which appear to be borderline insulting/patronising - they seem to be deliberate too. My first instinct is that it repels me, but on second thoughts it's those parts that light the viral flame and cause posts like this which ask, 'is it good/bad' or 'have they gone too far?'

      The only possible error I see is that this is appealing mainly to a more youthful section of the market, at prices which are possibly more suited (in general) to a less youthful section of the market.

      But if they can use the youthful section to viralise it and still manage to pick up enough of the market that wants to be edgy and can afford them, then it has worked.

      I believe that it's very tricky to walk the line that they are walking - balancing edginess with professionalism - it's really easy to go wrong. I think that they have done this part pretty well and in the current marketplace I think that they have given themselves an edge.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mark Hess
    Mission Accomplished: He has people talking about his site...
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    • Profile picture of the author ricoramiro
      Originally Posted by Mark Hess View Post

      Mission Accomplished: He has people talking about his site...
      Not a bad site but he says the word 'sh**' too much for my tastes. Once or twice and you can say it's cool but too many times and it becomes stupid.

      After about the third time I saw it I click away. :-(
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  • Profile picture of the author John Romaine
    As an web developer myself, this is spot on. Absolutely brilliant.

    What you need to be mindful of is that this might just be the other 50% of an intentional split test.
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    • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
      Originally Posted by mr2monster View Post

      Lots of haters in here.....
      I guess if someone has a opinion you don't agree with that makes them a hater.

      People throw that word around way to easily. Expressing a negative opinion of something when opinions were asked for isn't being a hater. Why do you need to call your fellow forum members names before expressing your own opinion?

      As for the website in question, I wouldn't buy from him. I've been around way to long to be impressed by swear words and touchy egos.

      Ah, but there I go hating again. :rolleyes:
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      Just when you think you've got it all figured out, someone changes the rules.

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  • Profile picture of the author Rich Struck
    I like the site. It is something different and God knows the web needs that. I like his confidence too. I don't care about the swearing, I'm not a Puritan.
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  • Profile picture of the author celente
    To each and their own I say.

    AT least the guy is sticking out like a sore thumb and he is not there with his commercial website, all suit and ties and showing off. That turns many people away. People always want to know what is in it for them. And this chap does it well and sort of creates a story along with it. So I dont really have a problem with it, and good on him for being different. :-)
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  • Profile picture of the author John Romaine
    Originally Posted by alyonafrendo View Post

    the fonts on that site are too "in your face" I don't like that style, if you're doing websites chances are corporate blokes will be your clients, and when a corporate bloke sees such a site he will immediate press that red 'x' button on his browser!
    To hell with corporate blokes I say!
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  • Profile picture of the author thebitbotdotcom
    It's definitely different. He had my attention the whole time...but not necessarily my trust.

    As already mentioned, those pictures should be links.

    The attitude doesn't work for me. If he's the expert and I'm the newbie, that's fine...just explain it to me, but definitely drop the God complex.
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  • Profile picture of the author Neil Macks
    I read the replies here before I actually looked at the website, and I have to say I was surprised. From a lot of the posts on here, I was expecting some serious cursing going on, but all I found was a few schoolyard terms. Unless he's cleaned it up recently I have to say I found the swearing quite minimal. Maybe that says more about me than him :-)

    I quite liked it anyway, although I didn't think his websites were anything special.

    I do like that R3 logo though.
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  • Profile picture of the author Brian Terry
    I'm willing to bet his website does a great job of filtering out all those people he doesn't want to work with.

    When you try to appeal to everyone you appeal to no-one.
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    • Profile picture of the author mojojuju
      Originally Posted by Brian Terry View Post

      I'm willing to bet his website does a great job of filtering out all those people he doesn't want to work with.
      a.k.a. Grown ups
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  • Profile picture of the author dark witness
    I thought it was fun, sure I can understand some may not like his style but I am no more offended by it then I am by some of those $37 click sales pages...

    The websites do look nice so at least it looks like he can deliver a good product which is more then can be said for....
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  • Profile picture of the author ChristopherTheron
    I think he knows his target market very well, and does a damn good job of alienating and turning off everyone else who isn't in it. Therefor, he gets the customers he wants. Bravo.
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  • Profile picture of the author timpears
    Pretty funny stuff. I wonder how well it works for him.
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  • Profile picture of the author vok
    This guy is a social media genius, funny how a internet marketing fails to see that. Maybe it's a hidden sign.
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  • Profile picture of the author kando
    A bit distasteful, Foul language is not needed!
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  • Profile picture of the author brenmk
    I think the website stretches out to long and I do not like his language.
    I would not want a website like that, I think there are better ways to
    get the point across.
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    • Profile picture of the author matheusgrafix
      With 4000 Euros I would actually buy a good car, and refill its tank for about 1 year.

      By the way, customers don't care about rude people, specially when those people charge such a high price for a WP website full of useless stuff.

      I didn't see him saying "For 4k Euros, I can make a website that will allow you to make specific tasks that no other website makes", instead, he said something like "4000 euros / Full of videos, and other stuff".

      I'm currently making other portfolio, and you will not see anything in my website that tells the customers that I'm the Web designer, not him, or that I'm better than anyone else. And there is more, the customer actually is THE WEB DESIGNER, cause you can't make his website without his suggestions, he's the one who's gonna choose the layout, colors, system, help to test it, and much more.
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  • Profile picture of the author Matt Bard
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    • Profile picture of the author mojojuju
      Originally Posted by Matt Maiden View Post

      A lot of talk about how viral it is but are the people seeing and spreading it around buying it?

      Viral just for the sake of being viral is like owning land on the moon. Sounds good but now what?
      Indeed. Goatse, for example, ∈)☼(∋ went viral on the internet too, but it's not like the Goatse guy became rich or otherwise benefited because if it.
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  • Profile picture of the author DH5
    I've owned businesses for many years... and I'd never respond to this guy. He just doesn't come across as someone pleasant to do business with.
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  • Profile picture of the author ncmedia
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    • Profile picture of the author mojojuju
      Originally Posted by ncmedia View Post



      Here's my most recent servicing site and I used to do MUCH THE SAME as this guy (click and scroll to the bottom of the site and have a read) - cursing and all - and believe me - IT GETS YOU WORK, and it gets you good clients while filtering out the rest...
      I disagree that you're doing the same thing. They way you've done it, you come across as a professional. The other guy, in my opinion, comes across as a complete goofball.

      It's kind of like when The Rich Jerk first appeared on the scene. After that, everybody and their brother was trying to insult their potential customers in the Rich Jerk style. But it didn't work for everyone because something just wasn't quite right in their presentation. It wasn't congruent. It was tryhard.

      All I'm saying is that there seems to be more to this type of presentation than putting some curse words on the page and emulating some idea of edginess.
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      • Profile picture of the author matheusgrafix
        A web designer dont need to body slam his customer. All he need is a good website, with a good portfolio. The web designer must also tell the customer why he (the customer) needs a website and how that's gonna help his clients (The customer clients) with their issues.
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      • Profile picture of the author matheusgrafix
        Some people like to be offended, others think those offenses are a different way of persuasion, some may not like it.

        But I'm sure that everyone here will agree with me when I say that what matters is to help your customer with his business.

        To help your customer you must show him what will help his customers, and you must do it with your heart, not with your pocket.
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  • Profile picture of the author Steven Miranda
    I also like it. Portfolio is great.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kay Zee
    I think it is a little unfair that people are comparing Wordpress to what looks like a custom CMS that he is offering.
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  • Profile picture of the author CDarklock
    Consider the alternatives, as well. To me, this site:

    Seattle Web Design | Visualscope Website Design Company

    ...absolutely reeks of corporate BS.

    It might not offend those who are bothered by profanity, but when I click over to the portfolio and see "Creating Websites as Unique as You Are" at the top of a long stream of boring generic pap... that's offensive as hell to me.

    They might as well be saying "your business is boring as hell, and your website should match."

    I mean, sweet mother of crap in a hat, have they done ANYTHING that doesn't look like a free theme from WordPress.org?!

    Offensive is a matter of perspective. If someone likes to say "sh!t," I don't really care. But when they make boring stupid website designs and talk to me like some kind of corporate buzzword generator, I just want to smack them.
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    • Profile picture of the author Kay Zee
      Originally Posted by CDarklock View Post

      Consider the alternatives, as well. To me, this site:

      Seattle Web Design | Visualscope Website Design Company

      ...absolutely reeks of corporate BS.

      It might not offend those who are bothered by profanity, but when I click over to the portfolio and see "Creating Websites as Unique as You Are" at the top of a long stream of boring generic pap... that's offensive as hell to me.

      They might as well be saying "your business is boring as hell, and your website should match."

      I mean, sweet mother of crap in a hat, have they done ANYTHING that doesn't look like a free theme from WordPress.org?!

      Offensive is a matter of perspective. If someone likes to say "sh!t," I don't really care. But when they make boring stupid website designs and talk to me like some kind of corporate buzzword generator, I just want to smack them.
      THIS...

      Knowing a few developers, a lot of work goes into a custom CMS and front end work. Comparing that to wordpress is downright silly.
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      • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
        Banned
        Originally Posted by Kay Zee View Post

        THIS...

        Knowing a few developers, a lot of work goes into a custom CMS and front end work. Comparing that to wordpress is downright silly.
        Absolutely. It isn't installing Wordpress. It's designing a custom theme for a company and I've known people who paid $5,000 for their custom themes.

        Originally Posted by CDarklock View Post

        Consider the alternatives, as well. To me, this site:

        Seattle Web Design | Visualscope Website Design Company

        ...absolutely reeks of corporate BS.

        It might not offend those who are bothered by profanity, but when I click over to the portfolio and see "Creating Websites as Unique as You Are" at the top of a long stream of boring generic pap... that's offensive as hell to me.

        They might as well be saying "your business is boring as hell, and your website should match."

        I mean, sweet mother of crap in a hat, have they done ANYTHING that doesn't look like a free theme from WordPress.org?!

        Offensive is a matter of perspective. If someone likes to say "sh!t," I don't really care. But when they make boring stupid website designs and talk to me like some kind of corporate buzzword generator, I just want to smack them.
        Yep ... boring as it gets. You can see this type of templated design approach all over and can get this stuff cheap by lowball offshore bidders on Elance and all the freelance sites. Even his own site is dull as turtles mating.

        I'll go with a guy who says **** a couple of times but has some imagination any day.
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  • Profile picture of the author BloggingPro
    I like the simplicity and how soft the font is. I actually REALLY like how soft the font/color is, yet it still seems to "pop" off the page.

    Don't care for his copy. He seems to be a creative type--which if I ever needed an artsy design I would be interested. Could care less if he uses curse words as they don't offend me... but would offend my parents.
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  • Profile picture of the author travlinguy
    I'm not particularly offended by the word sh!t. I probably use it daily in context. My only point is simple. Why alienate people who don't want to see it? I understand the filtering concept but don't feel this is a good qualifier.

    As a service provider myself I only need a single contact with someone to have a really good idea if he or she will be troublesome. Using colorful language as a filter doesn't make sense to me.

    If this is about screening, maybe this guy should consider talking to everyone who inquires and punt the potential problem babies to an associate for a finder's fee. After all, we are talking about business, aren't we?
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    • Profile picture of the author CDarklock
      Originally Posted by travlinguy View Post

      If this is about screening, maybe this guy should consider talking to everyone
      You're really not getting the point. The entire purpose of screening is not to talk to everyone, because some people are a waste of time and energy which could be invested in more productive things. The screening mechanism is designed to prevent most of those people from getting to you in the first place.
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      "The Golden Town is the Golden Town no longer. They have sold their pillars for brass and their temples for money, they have made coins out of their golden doors. It is become a dark town full of trouble, there is no ease in its streets, beauty has left it and the old songs are gone." - Lord Dunsany, The Messengers
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      • Profile picture of the author travlinguy
        Originally Posted by CDarklock View Post

        You're really not getting the point. The entire purpose of screening is not to talk to everyone, because some people are a waste of time and energy which could be invested in more productive things. The screening mechanism is designed to prevent most of those people from getting to you in the first place.
        I get the point. My point is, how much time does it take to field an email or two in exchange for maybe a 10% referral fee? I've had dozens of inquires here when I had my copywriter's shingle in my sig. I only took a few of those gigs. I passed some on for free and I got paid for a couple of referrals.
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        • Profile picture of the author CDarklock
          Originally Posted by travlinguy View Post

          how much time does it take
          More than I want to spend, which is generally how I make my decisions. If I think something is a waste of my time, I don't do it.
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          "The Golden Town is the Golden Town no longer. They have sold their pillars for brass and their temples for money, they have made coins out of their golden doors. It is become a dark town full of trouble, there is no ease in its streets, beauty has left it and the old songs are gone." - Lord Dunsany, The Messengers
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    • Profile picture of the author ExRat
      Hi travlinguy,

      Originally Posted by travlinguy View Post

      If this is about screening, maybe this guy should consider talking to everyone who inquires and punt the potential problem babies to an associate for a finder's fee. After all, we are talking about business, aren't we?
      When you say 'we are taking about business' - there are many who say that it's wise to focus on what you're good at and nothing else. So why would he do things differently and tone down the site (losing the effect it has currently) just so that he becomes a client broker as well as a web designer?

      Plus you're stating that he's actually passing on 'problem babies' to others. Not the best referrals then? (See below).

      I get the point. My point is, how much time does it take to field an email or two in exchange for maybe a 10% referral fee? I've had dozens of inquires here when I had my copywriter's shingle in my sig. I only took a few of those gigs. I passed some on for free and I got paid for a couple of referrals.
      Perhaps you have never been in the situation where you passed on a referral and it came back to haunt you, big time? It can happen. You can lose friends, clients etc because you are indirectly responsible for the consequences of the referral, but many people won't register the 'indirect' part and will see it as 'directly responsible.' Sometimes it's difficult to get any kind of remuneration for the referral. Why take risk for no benefit or for just 10%? And these referrals are 'problem babies', too.

      This is just horses for courses and we are all entitled to our own opinion and approach to business, but it just seemed that yourself (and many others) were assuming (with respect) that there is only one way to do business - try to make every single prospect your customer or a referral.

      There are many here just looking for their first customer. Would it be wise for them to alienate potentials? No. There's my point. End of story.
      ...and the above is an example of that - 'End of story.'

      But it's not the end of the story. It might be wise for some who are looking for their first customer to alienate potentials. There are lots of reasons for this. Here are a few -

      a) many of the predators in business prey on those looking for their first customer because they see them as easy meat. Someone who comes out snarling is not such easy meat. Is it always better to start out seeking clients with hints of neediness/desperation or with supreme confidence (IE clients need me, not vice-versa)? I know which one I personally prefer. The former screams, 'bite me!'

      b) if someone is looking for their first customer, what better way to get attention than to stand out from the crowd? Sure, you may be correct that it cuts down the field of opportunity (let's call this variable X). But conversely, it also gets attention which widens the field (let's call this variable Y). Who is to say that Y can never be greater than X?

      c) Because people have the same thought process as yourself (the coarse approach cuts down the field of opportunity) they may well also assume that this person is confident about his work and his client-pleasing ability. Again, it's another X>Y? trade-off. Some of that group who may even be slightly offended may still employ him because either 1) they want someone dynamic 2) the project they have needs to be eye-catching and different, therefore he is ideal.
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  • Profile picture of the author xxxJamesxxx
    Goes to show one size does not indeed fit all... Some people like and some don't

    Me personally I liked it but I think it was because it was different to your traditional sales page

    James
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  • Profile picture of the author Tom Lazenby
    Haha, I like it! His sense of humour is very British, so I'm guessing it might not translate very well for overseas clients. Personally, he'd stand out enough for me to hire him...though having said that, I'm not mad about his actual designs. If I did like them, I'd give him a call, for sure!
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    • Profile picture of the author stoogefest
      Perfectly smooth and juicy font, yet negligible presentation of his own work, like he'd done it by teabagging his butt in a bucket of paint and splatting a website on the screen with it...

      An unhealthy dose of arrogance, he's going Gregory House on our asses "meh I'm so awesome that the more people I repulse, the more they'll want to come back for more".

      Weird tastes and unique presentation for his cost. Yet the part with "you can put videos and stuff" turned me off. I definitely wouldn't use his services cuz he ain't concrete enough... for that price.

      A nicely wrapped viral £9,000 sale proof to seal the deal, along with an IQ test to dispel those not serious enough to write him an e-mail.

      You can see that the site has a bit of these classic red-text-on-yellow-splattery-surface-background kinda structure if you scroll down quickly.

      That site is the perfect business card.
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  • Profile picture of the author travlinguy
    This guy can obviously present himself any way he wants. Anyone here can do the same if it suits them. I personally don't care. Once again, my comment is to a group of thousands of marketers on this board. There are many here just looking for their first customer. Would it be wise for them to alienate potentials? No. There's my point. End of story.
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    • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
      Banned
      Originally Posted by travlinguy View Post

      This guy can obviously present himself any way he wants. Anyone here can do the same if it suits them. I personally don't care. Once again, my comment is to a group of thousands of marketers on this board. There are many here just looking for their first customer. Would it be wise for them to alienate potentials? No. There's my point. End of story.
      If they're looking for their first customer, they probably don't have a reputation or a portfolio to back them up. They might as well try to appeal to the masses at that point.
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  • Profile picture of the author chrisen
    Originally Posted by alyonafrendo View Post

    the fonts on that site are too "in your face" I don't like that style, if you're doing websites chances are corporate blokes will be your clients, and when a corporate bloke sees such a site he will immediate press that red 'x' button on his browser!
    I'm going to have to agree that I think the font is a little too much. I also think his work is really good, judging by the images on the site. Some corporate guys may be turned off by the message, but there are plenty of instances where the quality of work will outweigh a personality. Look at any number of athletes that are complete jerks and they consistently get big contracts because they are good at what they do.
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  • Profile picture of the author matheusgrafix
    I have a question: Does he know about this thread?
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    • Profile picture of the author mojojuju
      Originally Posted by matheusgrafix View Post

      I have a question: Does he know about this thread?
      He will once he checks his logs.
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      • Profile picture of the author matheusgrafix
        Originally Posted by mojojuju View Post

        He will once he checks his logs.
        I thought he already knew, that's why I posted those comments. No offense, but I don't think it's ethical to talk bad about people from their back, even if they are offending someone.
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        • Profile picture of the author mojojuju
          Originally Posted by matheusgrafix View Post

          No offense, but I don't think it's ethical to talk bad about people from their back, even if they are offending someone.
          No offense taken, but I don't think people are talking bad about Dan the designer. There have been lots of things said about his approach to marketing his services, but I'm confident that he's going to handle it just fine.
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      • Profile picture of the author Kay Zee
        Originally Posted by mojojuju View Post

        He will once he checks his logs.
        LOL


        HEY Dan of alittlebitofsomething.com, If you read this thread, Whats up bro? Good work on keeping it real.
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  • Profile picture of the author MichaelHiles
    Purple Cow

    Good marketing in effect. Not trying to be all things to everyone with greater sameness.

    Understands his schtick.

    If his social media likes are any indication...
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  • Profile picture of the author 3bagsfull
    well - it got our attention - we now have a two page posting on WF to get him eyeballs and possibly customers to his page

    so - did his motives work? I would think YES
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  • Profile picture of the author eSubmarine
    its genious in my eyes. this form thread and the feelings evoked by the sites copy just demostrate the viral capability of this kind of writing style. this thread has already got like 2k views, only knows what his site has got in traffic, from WF and other sources that have commented about his page. if u check out the wetsuit the guy sold on ebay he uses the same kind of language in that, the article about it (posted in #52) gives a few examples where he uses the same type of curse humor and other comedic devices. The article goes on to mention how the ebay auction recieved 640k visitors.... i personally dont like his work, or the site. but u just cant deny that it doesnt drum up interest, be it positive or negative
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    • Profile picture of the author Mike Anthony
      Originally Posted by eSubmarine View Post

      its genious in my eyes. this form thread and the feelings evoked by the sites copy just demostrate the viral capability of this kind of writing style. this thread has already got like 2k views, only knows what his site has got in traffic, from WF and other sources that have commented about his page.
      thing is the same happens with plenty digg stories and they notoriously do not convert well or lead to ongoing traffic. Some things create buzz and thats all. IN SEO the easiest thing you can do for linkbait is be shocking or insulting and people link to it. Problem is in the long run it hurts for branding. May or may not happen here but he does have a conversational style.
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    • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
      Banned
      Originally Posted by eSubmarine View Post

      its genious in my eyes. this form thread and the feelings evoked by the sites copy just demostrate the viral capability of this kind of writing style. this thread has already got like 2k views, only knows what his site has got in traffic, from WF and other sources that have commented about his page. if u check out the wetsuit the guy sold on ebay he uses the same kind of language in that, the article about it (posted in #52) gives a few examples where he uses the same type of curse humor and other comedic devices. The article goes on to mention how the ebay auction recieved 640k visitors.... i personally dont like his work, or the site. but u just cant deny that it doesnt drum up interest, be it positive or negative
      Yeah, that used wetsuit ad was brilliant. I read it and laughed out loud.
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    • Profile picture of the author rts2271
      By discussing this site, the fact that it makes people stand on one side of the fence or the other and the fact you all are arguing about the particulars of which side of the fence you are on means most everyone here has missed what he is doing and in his words are all **** marketers.

      The guys designs are clean, His copy is brilliant and his strategy probably has him making more $$ than 99% of the people who have posted in this thread. I've seen 3 posters in this thread who have a clue.
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  • Profile picture of the author xavierfok
    i happen to like his style, and might actually even hire him. But for that attitude he better produce top notch quality work or he is going to get hit in his a## badly. I guess many people wouldn't even want to hire him.

    Entertaining does not mean sales and many people would be offended by this. For this reason, his website will never make the style for my copy.

    There is just too much negative thoughts provoked. Majority of the people like to be sold on positive thinking, energy and eagerness to buy.

    Has anyone bought anything from him yet?

    He might have good quality work, but his work will need to try harder to move past the negative thinking he generated in his copy. That could be tough.

    Nevertheless, i like him and it is really entertaining!
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  • Profile picture of the author SKWeaver
    I think it's hilarious. I'm tempted to give him a try.
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    • Profile picture of the author Jill Carpenter
      Originally Posted by travlinguy View Post

      There are three things anything you put on a site can be:

      Helpful
      Neutral
      Harmful

      Why alienate people who would be offened or otherwise put off by cursing? It's stupid. There is no way someone would be put off by a lack of cursing so it doesn't make sense. The designs looked good but there are people who wouldn't touch this designer because of the cursing. It must be nice to be so busy you can alienate potential customers.
      I was personally entertained.

      If I was given a choice of this guy, and someone more polite with the same quality of work, I would probably try to get this guy first.

      I'm the girl with a giant sized stuffed Carpenter ant that sits on her bed and it freaks some people out.

      I'm the girl who had a Freddy Kruger poster over her bed in college.

      I'm the girl with a squalking rubber chicken which terrifies Omar on the live marketing chats.

      I'm also the girl who would paint the underside of a chair or desk, and in those areas you are not supposed to see - and that really resonated with me.

      Anyway, I am more pleased to see someone who is more real than someone who is just being nice for the sake of finding more customers.

      And while someone recently alienated me on this forum with how rude they were, my issue in that particular circumstance was that that rude behavior I received was not part of their sales letter. So - if I know up front you might be a rude ass ******* then I know up front how to approach you and work with you.

      The fact that someone might be a bit persnickety does not scare me. What scares me more is if I don't see it coming up front.

      You like chili. I like chili with a kick - but I want to know it is spicy before I take a bite.
      Signature

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      • Profile picture of the author Forcefactor
        I liked the designs. But I guess he is trying to be a little different from the rest with the verbage he uses.
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      • Profile picture of the author travlinguy
        Originally Posted by Jill Carpenter View Post

        I was personally entertained.

        If I was given a choice of this guy, and someone more polite with the same quality of work, I would probably try to get this guy first.

        I'm the girl with a giant sized stuffed Carpenter ant that sits on her bed and it freaks some people out.

        I'm the girl who had a Freddy Kruger poster over her bed in college.

        I'm the girl with a squalking rubber chicken which terrifies Omar on the live marketing chats.

        I'm also the girl who would paint the underside of a chair or desk, and in those areas you are not supposed to see - and that really resonated with me.

        Anyway, I am more pleased to see someone who is more real than someone who is just being nice for the sake of finding more customers.

        And while someone recently alienated me on this forum with how rude they were, my issue in that particular circumstance was that that rude behavior I received was not part of their sales letter. So - if I know up front you might be a rude ass ******* then I know up front how to approach you and work with you.

        The fact that someone might be a bit persnickety does not scare me. What scares me more is if I don't see it coming up front.

        You like chili. I like chili with a kick - but I want to know it is spicy before I take a bite.
        I get it. Really. If I were to post a list similar to yours I'd be drummed out of the forum for being a freak. I brought Frank Zappa to my friends back before anyone heard of him. Devine was a hero of mine. I still have Root Boy Slim's 45, Put A Quarter In The Juke and Boogie Till You Puke. I have jewelry made by the Boston Strangler after he was incarcerated. I invented outrageous in my cell block. I howl at the moon for no good reason...

        And I still like a lot of that stuff. The site in question is boorish. That's how I see it. The guy talks down to people. That must be what's hip now. So be it. If people like that, I'm cool with it. He can do whatever he wants. People can love it or not or be indifferent. My point was sort of directed at new marketers. That point is, don't behave like this if you can't afford to lose a customer. If you can, pee in their Wheaties if you like and then spit in their eyes.
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Daniels
    Not really into those kinds of websites but to each his own...
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  • Profile picture of the author Kierkegaard
    Lots of people are talking about him on this thread!... but how many have ordered a website?

    A cocky I don't take any sh*t attitude is OK if what you're selling is Never Take Any Sh*t From Anyone Ever Again.

    But what he's actually offering is to do some work for you.

    When I hire someone I don't expect them to have to take sh*t from me and in return I don't want to put up with any sh*t from them. And in the vein of one man's sh*t may well be another man's treasure - I don't want to be in a one man's customer request for minor alterations is another man's request to put up with sh*t situation.
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    • Profile picture of the author Jill Carpenter
      Originally Posted by Kierkegaard View Post

      Lots of people are talking about him on this thread!... but how many have ordered a website?
      Well, I can't answer for everyone else on this thread, but I only responded like 10 minutes ago. lol

      Not to mention - we have great designers on this forum who I hire for a lot less for the work I need done.

      If I thought he was the right person for a project I wouldn't hesitate to give it a go.
      Signature

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  • Profile picture of the author John Romaine
    I can tell this dude is experienced just be the wording of his website. Hes not trying to fluff it up and impress anyone. Its straight to the point and gets the message across clearly.

    Id hire him just for the sake of knowing that hes not going to f*ck around.
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  • Profile picture of the author bboretsky
    Unfortunately a lot of people are fooled by the touchy creative approach into believing that arrogance equals skill, or maybe that person knows something they don't. These guys are the ones I wouldn't work for or with or have work for me. Good creative is collaberative and anyone who can't take intelligent direction is going to be more trouble than they are worth. It also indicates a very low level of maturity. These are the moody punks who disappear when things get uncomfortable for them. His approach isn't cleverly planned to manipulate. This is how this guy works. Personally, I don't find it offensive, it is simply a red flag that tells me to move on and find someone who can play well with others.
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  • Profile picture of the author John Romaine
    By the way....

    I just emailed him.

    Lets see if he shows up
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  • Profile picture of the author Monitium
    You can be honest, funny, and straight forward without cursing. Too bad more people do not use their talent to better society instead of adding to the demise.
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    The Ultimate Wealth Creation System
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  • Profile picture of the author Cee
    Well I must admit I did when I read his bit about the $4,000 website.
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  • Profile picture of the author dagaul101
    There's always room for marketers with some innovation
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  • Profile picture of the author Ducksauce
    There are three things anything you put on a site can be:

    Helpful
    Neutral
    Harmful

    Why alienate people who would be offened or otherwise put off by cursing?

    Nice quote buddy.

    Also here is a link to one of this guys sites. (please excuse, I only read the first page)
    www.altek-al. com (space inserted by me, me the great, way better than this jerk)

    LOL
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  • Profile picture of the author John Romaine
    HAHA!

    Dan got back to me. He just sent me an email.

    Here's his response.



    Hi John,

    Some people clearly get that I’m not actually an arrogant pretentious arsehole and see that it’s all a bit tongue-in-cheek. Others don’t get it at all.

    For the record, I’ve had over 30 enquiries for work in 48 hours, so clearly it’s appealing to a certain person/demographic, mainly the type of people I want to work with, those with a sense of humour and the recognition that they’re paying for my expertise.

    Here’s a couple of links you might be interested in:

    A response to a nasty email:
    http://www.alittlebitofsomething.co.uk/joe.html

    This one was in response to a Reddit thread where a group of tech kids were tearing my work and approach apart and suggesting I hated all my clients and what I did for a living, which of course I don’t.
    http://www.alittlebitofsomething.co.uk/response.html

    If you’re able to post on that thread, I’d be grateful if you could post the links.

    Thanks for the email and letting me know, it’s interesting, but not always that fun to read!

    All the best,

    Dan
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    • Profile picture of the author ExRat
      Hi ramone_johnny,

      His responses are funny and I'm delighted to see that his honest approach has paid off. In line with my original comments -

      LINK

      I think that there are lessons here and I appreciate them.
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      • Profile picture of the author Mike Anthony
        Originally Posted by ExRat View Post


        His responses are funny and I'm delighted to see that his honest approach has paid off.
        lets say for a second it hasn't done well for him. Do you really expect him to say it didn't? and inquiries? there are people here emailing him just to see what he says. Could be it has could be he hasn't but theres a world of difference between giving people laughs and having them send you a thousand dollars minimum
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        • Profile picture of the author ExRat
          Hi Mike,

          lets say for a second it hasn't done well for him. Do you really expect him to say it didn't?
          No.

          Could be it has could be he hasn't but theres a world of difference between giving people laughs and having them send you a thousand dollars minimum
          Yes.

          Allow me to rephrase my previous comment -

          His responses are funny and I'm delighted to see that his honest approach appears to have (allegedly) paid off.
          Signature


          Roger Davis

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    • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
      Banned
      Originally Posted by ramone_johnny View Post

      HAHA!

      Dan got back to me. He just sent me an email.

      Here's his response.



      Hi John,

      Some people clearly get that I'm not actually an arrogant pretentious arsehole and see that it's all a bit tongue-in-cheek. Others don't get it at all.

      For the record, I've had over 30 enquiries for work in 48 hours, so clearly it's appealing to a certain person/demographic, mainly the type of people I want to work with, those with a sense of humour and the recognition that they're paying for my expertise.

      Here's a couple of links you might be interested in:

      A response to a nasty email:
      http://www.alittlebitofsomething.co.uk/joe.html

      This one was in response to a Reddit thread where a group of tech kids were tearing my work and approach apart and suggesting I hated all my clients and what I did for a living, which of course I don't.
      http://www.alittlebitofsomething.co.uk/response.html

      If you're able to post on that thread, I'd be grateful if you could post the links.

      Thanks for the email and letting me know, it's interesting, but not always that fun to read!

      All the best,

      Dan
      Thanks for sharing his email. I like his style even more now.
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  • Profile picture of the author DesignDevelopment
    the guy has awesome attitude..
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    Designdevelopment
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  • Profile picture of the author vok
    That email response was to funny. It's surprising how jealous people get, no logical human being would waste their valuable time in emailing someone they didn't like. But it never amazes me what jealously can drive people to do, waste their time emailing that's for sure.
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  • Profile picture of the author degreexyz
    He is certainly getting the attention he was looking for. Only truly qualified visitors will make contact, few there may be (imo). Doubt whether small entities with a corporate mindset will bite.
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  • Profile picture of the author John Romaine
    Dudes a champion
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    BS free SEO services, training and advice - SEO Point

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  • Profile picture of the author Jay_Selders
    What it looks like this guy did was make a provocative salespage that only a minority (say 10%) of people would actually think is witty and would pay for this services. Something like this probably wouldn't fair well with little traffic. But because it is so provocative it gets shared to a larger audience, making the 10% larger.

    There are too approaches that most people would take to sell something like web design.

    There is the typical flashy colorful "look what I can do" site with the portfolio page, pricing table, contact form etc. with all the dings, bibs and bobs. That may convert higher, but doesn't get shared.

    Or you can take an approach like this man had, and make something new, and stimilating like this that may not convert as well, but spreads like swine flu.
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  • Profile picture of the author Marian Berghes
    If this worked like he said...then congratulations to this guy.

    Prime example of only attracting a certain market segment.
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  • Profile picture of the author Ansar Pasha
    Banned
    Interesting discussion here.

    Here's my 3 c

    - He's trying to be "cute" instead of getting to the point. He doesn't talk about the frustrations of searching everywhere just to find a decent designer, or getting crappy designs and the designer hitting the road afterwards...

    - No real information on what exactly 4000 quid will get you apart from a vague description.

    On the other hand, he's got:

    - Excellent proof elements with his samples which does most of the selling for him.

    ... other than that, the copy sucks.

    Ansar
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  • Profile picture of the author jon99
    In my opinion, he is "boosting" about the wrong subject- his talent.

    As we know, even CEOs nowadays have to be humble to win over people.

    Although his choice of words and tone is unique and create free viral marketing, but in the end think about what you really want when you approach a designer- his skills or how famous he is?

    Also, people can be famous for the wrong reasons *think justin bieber*, so I don't think we should really care how much +1s he has or how much traffic he receives, without having really quality design works on his site.
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  • Profile picture of the author MWGrubb58
    I agree with CDarklock.

    I want ravenous fans.

    Maybe the OP is just wanting the same.

    Although I don't agree with his copy, if it helps him to filter... then so be it.
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  • Profile picture of the author Fernando Veloso
    Does it work for him? Apparently YES, so kudos to the guy. All the rest is just politics and beer.
    Signature
    People make good money selling to the rich. But the rich got rich selling to the masses.
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  • Profile picture of the author TowelieTowel
    i might actually make something like that one day.
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  • Profile picture of the author Will Leighton
    Clever though, if you look at the bottom, his site has had over 11,000 likes and over 4000 +1's purely because people found it entertaining. Nice little bit of viral marketing there.
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  • Profile picture of the author EugeneA
    From the looks of it, he's gotten a lot of attention

    I think that was the point, you want your website to be remembered and stand out.

    I'd say Mission accomplished.
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  • Profile picture of the author d3communications
    My take...

    Controversial = good

    Different = good

    Alienating some potential customers = ok, since he's obviously looking for a certain type of customer

    Copy = ok...could use some work, but definitely gets his point/ personality across

    Portfolio = meh...he/she (probably he) is using purchased templates, modified for his customer...make your own conclusions

    Moral = if you hate it, you're not his type of customer; if you like it, you're his type of customer...isn't that what we're all trying to do by working in niches and pre-filtering "buyers" vs. "lookers"
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  • Profile picture of the author colll999
    Not the way I would go about writing copy but love some of the lines he's using.

    "There are many ways to get in touch with me. You could attach a note to the collar of a fox and tell him about the loose lid on my bin".

    "I'm not posting my address here because I'll end up on a mailing list for some weird religious group that needs money for new robes".
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  • Profile picture of the author Martin Gram
    I like it or not, brilliant or not, bad or good copy writing. I guess it all comes down to how much money this guy are pulling in on his site. :-)
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  • Profile picture of the author ZaneZenMaster
    LOL! it's actually funny
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