Ol Baer is right on the money. We need to quit thinking we are reinventing the wheel and start riding on te perfected wheels of those that really do it exceptionally well.
What the heck is wrong with following success.
I don't mean to pick on Joy, but we have to get beyond the idea that we shouldn't look like anyone else at all. If that were the case, we would all have to throw out all our Crescent, Bainbridge, Larson. Face it, if something works, and it resonates with the consumer, why shouldn't we utilze it. It just makes sense.
When I suggested it might be more beneficial to see some real life examples, perhaps if Sherry actually did a free print promo, she could share those results (or if it bombed, that also). We tend to get a lot of IMHO suggestions that haven't been attempted. It's kind of like sending a request up to the singer with a song you'd like to hear.
If it's just the title, it's a note. If it's wrapped in a $5 bill, it's a request. In other words, if it's a good suggestion, how come the suggestor never did it?