“INSITE” arrived unannounced in my email this morning and it’s a typically snazzy Neiman’s presentation. The Jason Wu interview on page 2 is a quick 10-questions that left me wanting to know more. A “shop Jason Wu” link at the end of the Q&A would have been handy. Granted, there’s a half page “shop Jason Wu” image on the same page that links to his wares but for usability’s sake, it needs to be in the Q&A.
Page 3′s “The Definitive Piece This Fall: The Over-The-Knee Boot” sports a quick video intro of a leggy NYC model crossing the street and it’s an eye-catcher, and again, I want more but it dumps me onto a page where I can select from a menu of designer boots. I need more cowbell. Who says the over-the-knee boot is the definitive piece this fall? Seems like an excellent opportunity to quote Anna or any number of fashion high-priestesses who’ll tell me WHY it’s the definitive piece this fall. I’m here, I’m shopping, ENGAGE ME!!!
Which brings us to Page 4′s “Outside the Box: Gift (shouldn’t that be ‘Gifts’???) for the Newlyweds” needs some clever “Daily Candy-ish” banter to liven it up. I’m married, but definitely not ENGAGED!
On page 5, the Father’s Day video, “Of Mouse and Man” is a clever and ENGAGING pitch that showcases a variety of gorgeous manly neckties. It’s so cool I’d like to email it to my friends, but because Neiman’s didn’t give me that option and because it’s a Flash video with no link, I won’t, or can’t. Note to “INSITE” team: Make it viral. Gimme a link I can email!!!
Page 6 is pure advertising, but that’s okay, they’re trying to sell me stuff–it’s Neiman’s and I expect that but if this is an e-zine, then let’s keep a decent content-to-advertising ratio. In eight pages, I’m gonna allow you one or two that are pure sales pitch.
Page 7 is a calendar. Okay.
Page 8 is a teaser to the upcoming issue, but nowhere am I told if this is a daily, weekly or monthly ezine. Why is that? Why doesn’t Neiman’s want me to know when to expect the next issue?
Nowhere in the email announcing the debut of “INSITE” am I told ANYTHING about the publication. It’s simply a VERY DISTRACTING Flash image that quite literally flickers off and on caused me concern that my broadband connection was failing. Lose the flicker. Just because we CAN do something “cool” with Flash, doesn’t mean we SHOULD.
Debut-wise, “INSITE” has descended the staircase without doing a face-plant but she’s gonna need to make up points during the interview and curtsey events. She needs to speak to us and let us know how smart she is. She needs more CONTENT.
She needs more cowbell.
So