BG Copy Alert:

Flower Patch Cuts Communication Costs by 80% Using 8x8 Virtual Office Hosted IP Phone Service


SUNNYVALE, Calif., Sep 28, 2009 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX News Network) -- Begonias, daffodils and daisies aren't the only things thriving behind the counter at Flower Patch, Utah's leading full service florist. Since the company deployed the 8x8, Inc. (Nasdaq:EGHT) Virtual Office hosted IP (Internet Protocol) phone solution seven months ago, the floral wholesaler is saving 80% off its monthly phone bill which had grown to a steep $13,000 a month since opening its doors in 1977...

Keep it literal.

I learned a lesson some years ago when the web was new and I was new at writing web copy. I was assigned to write revolving feature stories and headlines for a corporate web site and I thought I had come up with a few really good pieces. One feature graphic was a picture of dice with the headline "gambling your network" another stab at the copy read "feeling lucky?"

I was pretty pleased at how clever I was--especially to conjure up that image of dice. I mean, I wasn't even a graphic designer. This web stuff was a piece of cake!

A more seasoned co-worker of mine (an actual web/graphic designer) took me aside and with the gentle reasoning I needed (being new at this I was sure that my words were going to make or break the company's good name) told me one of the most important lessons I've learned in writing for the Web. Always be literal. Cute doesn't cut it.

Goin' Postal? Cute, clever, but what value is it really adding besides telling your audience how punny you are? In fact, this name for some people might bring up some pretty negative imagery.

Ross Dress For Less? Plain, simple and to the point. Keep the junk from creeping into your web copy and just say what you mean.