Need Creative Input - Page 2

Cadaverous Pallor · 10-26-2009, 12:59 PM

Apparently I'm in the minority but the word "shanty" gives me negative connotations. Specifically, it means poorly built, hastily thrown together, right? Either meaning your offerings are such, or that the product they create when using your offerings are such.

DreadPirateRoberts · 10-26-2009, 01:19 PM

I agree with CP.

Strangler Lewis · 10-26-2009, 01:20 PM

I sort of agree with CP. Maybe you're thinking more of a "stand" than a "shanty," a u-pick digital fruitstand by the side of the information superhighway. Or something.

I also wonder if the thought process that takes one fairly quickly from Digital Shanty to Radio Shack isn't a trademark problem. Finally, I think the kicky name and logo are somewhat at odds with the stiff, traditional slogan.

Sounds like a fun site, though. Good luck with it.

alphabassettgrrl · 10-26-2009, 02:21 PM

I get that connotation from "shanty", too. It's a shack, a temporary thing.

The logo's cute, though.

I guess it's a fine line to ride. On the one hand, something "cheap" is cheap, and people like to pay very little for things, so long as you can reassure them that the product itself isn't slacking.

innerSpaceman · 10-26-2009, 02:46 PM

Yeah, well, I'm biased against the word shanty, but I have to offer that it's got a potential negative connotation ... and I'm not familiar with its use re the concept you're peddling.

mousepod · 10-26-2009, 02:56 PM

Here's my question: are you the sole creator of the components you're selling? If you are, then it's clearly all about branding, because other folks offer similar services but don't market it the way you are (which is cool, by the way). If you're considering bringing other creative talent into the mix, then you should include that in the marketing strategy.

...and I'm also biased against the term shanty, btw.

Ghoulish Delight · 10-26-2009, 03:12 PM

Plus, as I've discovered while reading this thread, if you say the word "Shanty" in your head enough, it starts to sound like a brand name for adult incontinence undergarments.

Disneyphile · 10-26-2009, 03:26 PM

Y'all are brutal.

Heh. I love honesty though, because it helps the most.

Anyways, I am the "proud" owner of the digitalshanty.com and .net domains, and the content/products will be completely mine. Haven't had time to even get a placeholder up yet, since I've still got to get my connection set up with the server's owner.

As for the tagline, I'd like to keep "under one roof" to go with the shanty theme... it's really the same as "one-stop-shop", but fits the theme.

I can't put "website" in the tagline. It's too limiting, because I'll also be selling video production elements as well - background graphics, DVD menu templates, etc. However, I like the "affordable resources" bit. Might include that with the roof thing... will think on that one.

As for looking cheap, the site is going to have a few bells and whistles, mostly done in Flash (no, I won't using flashing items or "glitter", etc.). However, the theme will be shanty-like. Hard to explain what I've sketched, but imagine a sidebar background of rusted corrugated metal with the navigation buttons that look like old wooden signs nailed on at random angles that slightly swing or "fall" when hovered over. Whimsical, really, but eye-popping and well-done. The overall site background texture being that of brown craft paper or cardboard. Rather than a shopping cart for items, it'll be a box, again to match the theme, but also in connection with a "lightbox" that most digital download sites have. So, the site really will look nailed and tacked together with scraps... but with obviously a lot of work and details put into it, thus giving the first impression.

As for "cheap" - it's not the best word for a tagline as you've pointed out... but I will put it somewhere on the site. Why? Believe it or not, the keyword "cheap" is entered into Google searches as many times as "affordable" (found this out while contracting with the website design firm). So, people do look for "cheap" quite often.

I'm not very concerned over names having to sound exactly like what is offered. For instance, Dreamworks sounds like it should be a mattress store. Or, Ralph's sounds like someone's vomiting rather than shopping for groceries. Wal-Mart doesn't sell walls. And, Target isn't in the hunting supply business. Pinkberry should be a fresh fruit stand. But, one thing they do show - memorable and "catchy" names. I'm hoping to obtain the same impact. Some will find it whimsical, some might find it repulsive, but as long as it makes them curious enough to check it out, then it serves its purpose.

But, I really appreciate the feedback I get here - you've definitely driven home the point that I have to make it look damn good. Shack=ok. Slack=bad. And, if something doesn't work, then it's easy to change.

Cadaverous Pallor · 10-26-2009, 03:52 PM

If you make it a gorgeously detailed website that has a theme as you describe, you could be on to a bit of something...though I still can't say I think it's great.

It reminds me of a recent Top Chef episode where a team creates their own restaurant. Putting parts of their names together they come up with the name "Re-Volt". Nice try, but, um, no.

innerSpaceman · 10-26-2009, 03:59 PM

I'm also liking it more now that I see where you're going with the theme.

(My bias, btw, is because "Shanty" is often a mispronounced version of my daughter's name, Shanti.)

10-26-2009, 12:59 PM	#11
Cadaverous Pallor ohhhh baby Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Parental Bliss Posts: 12,364	Apparently I'm in the minority but the word "shanty" gives me negative connotations. Specifically, it means poorly built, hastily thrown together, right? Either meaning your offerings are such, or that the product they create when using your offerings are such. __________________ The second star to the right shines in the night for you
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10-26-2009, 01:19 PM	#12
DreadPirateRoberts Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 2,483	I agree with CP.
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10-26-2009, 01:20 PM	#13
Strangler Lewis Doing The Job Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: In a state Posts: 3,956	I sort of agree with CP. Maybe you're thinking more of a "stand" than a "shanty," a u-pick digital fruitstand by the side of the information superhighway. Or something. I also wonder if the thought process that takes one fairly quickly from Digital Shanty to Radio Shack isn't a trademark problem. Finally, I think the kicky name and logo are somewhat at odds with the stiff, traditional slogan. Sounds like a fun site, though. Good luck with it. __________________ Live now-pay later. Diner's Club!
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10-26-2009, 02:21 PM	#14
alphabassettgrrl Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,978	I get that connotation from "shanty", too. It's a shack, a temporary thing. The logo's cute, though. I guess it's a fine line to ride. On the one hand, something "cheap" is cheap, and people like to pay very little for things, so long as you can reassure them that the product itself isn't slacking. __________________ Why cycling? Anything [sport] that had to do with a ball, I wasn't very good at. -Lance Armstrong
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10-26-2009, 02:46 PM	#15
innerSpaceman Kink of Swank Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inner Space Posts: 13,075	Yeah, well, I'm biased against the word shanty, but I have to offer that it's got a potential negative connotation ... and I'm not familiar with its use re the concept you're peddling.
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10-26-2009, 02:56 PM	#16
mousepod You broke your Ramadar! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,635	Here's my question: are you the sole creator of the components you're selling? If you are, then it's clearly all about branding, because other folks offer similar services but don't market it the way you are (which is cool, by the way). If you're considering bringing other creative talent into the mix, then you should include that in the marketing strategy. ...and I'm also biased against the term shanty, btw. __________________ "Give the public everything you can give them, keep the place as clean as you can keep it, keep it friendly" - Walt Disney
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10-26-2009, 03:12 PM	#17
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	Plus, as I've discovered while reading this thread, if you say the word "Shanty" in your head enough, it starts to sound like a brand name for adult incontinence undergarments. __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
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10-26-2009, 03:26 PM	#18
Disneyphile SQUIRREL! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: On the curbside. Posts: 5,098	Y'all are brutal. Heh. I love honesty though, because it helps the most. Anyways, I am the "proud" owner of the digitalshanty.com and .net domains, and the content/products will be completely mine. Haven't had time to even get a placeholder up yet, since I've still got to get my connection set up with the server's owner. As for the tagline, I'd like to keep "under one roof" to go with the shanty theme... it's really the same as "one-stop-shop", but fits the theme. I can't put "website" in the tagline. It's too limiting, because I'll also be selling video production elements as well - background graphics, DVD menu templates, etc. However, I like the "affordable resources" bit. Might include that with the roof thing... will think on that one. As for looking cheap, the site is going to have a few bells and whistles, mostly done in Flash (no, I won't using flashing items or "glitter", etc.). However, the theme will be shanty-like. Hard to explain what I've sketched, but imagine a sidebar background of rusted corrugated metal with the navigation buttons that look like old wooden signs nailed on at random angles that slightly swing or "fall" when hovered over. Whimsical, really, but eye-popping and well-done. The overall site background texture being that of brown craft paper or cardboard. Rather than a shopping cart for items, it'll be a box, again to match the theme, but also in connection with a "lightbox" that most digital download sites have. So, the site really will look nailed and tacked together with scraps... but with obviously a lot of work and details put into it, thus giving the first impression. As for "cheap" - it's not the best word for a tagline as you've pointed out... but I will put it somewhere on the site. Why? Believe it or not, the keyword "cheap" is entered into Google searches as many times as "affordable" (found this out while contracting with the website design firm). So, people do look for "cheap" quite often. I'm not very concerned over names having to sound exactly like what is offered. For instance, Dreamworks sounds like it should be a mattress store. Or, Ralph's sounds like someone's vomiting rather than shopping for groceries. Wal-Mart doesn't sell walls. And, Target isn't in the hunting supply business. Pinkberry should be a fresh fruit stand. But, one thing they do show - memorable and "catchy" names. I'm hoping to obtain the same impact. Some will find it whimsical, some might find it repulsive, but as long as it makes them curious enough to check it out, then it serves its purpose. But, I really appreciate the feedback I get here - you've definitely driven home the point that I have to make it look damn good. Shack=ok. Slack=bad. And, if something doesn't work, then it's easy to change.
	Submit to Quotes

10-26-2009, 03:52 PM	#19
Cadaverous Pallor ohhhh baby Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Parental Bliss Posts: 12,364	If you make it a gorgeously detailed website that has a theme as you describe, you could be on to a bit of something...though I still can't say I think it's great. It reminds me of a recent Top Chef episode where a team creates their own restaurant. Putting parts of their names together they come up with the name "Re-Volt". Nice try, but, um, no. __________________ The second star to the right shines in the night for you
	Submit to Quotes

10-26-2009, 03:59 PM	#20
innerSpaceman Kink of Swank Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inner Space Posts: 13,075	I'm also liking it more now that I see where you're going with the theme. (My bias, btw, is because "Shanty" is often a mispronounced version of my daughter's name, Shanti.)
	Submit to Quotes