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If you have ever tried to search Google for inspirational desktop wallpaper, you have undoubtedly turned up a large selection of dramatic photos with corny sayings. While these apparently appeal to some people, if you’re like me, you’d never want to see one of these wallpapers on a daily basis.

Fortunately, although you won’t come across them if you’re Googling for inspirational desktop wallpapers, there are inspirational wallpapers available that don’t suck. While most people reading this blog probably read his blog Gapingvoid on a regular basis as well, if you don’t know who Hugh MacLeod is, he’s a cartoonist, sells limited-edition prints, wrote a book, is the CEO of Stormhoek USA and draws private commissions.

In addition to sharing his thoughts and insights over the years, Hugh has also published a countless amount of cartoons on his blog. Best of all, he published many of his cartoons in high resolution, which makes them ideal to use as desktop wallpaper. So, enjoy this collection of twenty of Hugh’s best cartoons, and click any of them to visit and download the high resolution version for free:

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Knowing what your customers want is the key to running a successful business. And while you might like to think you know what they want, there’s a good chance you’re at least partially wrong.

What’s the best way to find out what your customers really want? It’s simple: Ask them. Here are 7 easy tips for getting customer feedback.

1. Give online buyers the option of completing a survey—The keyword here? Option. Don’t make completing a survey a requirement to finishing the ordering process. Instead, just simply ask your customers if they’d like to complete a survey after they’ve made their purchase. Or for customers who start to back out of their purchase, you can have a popup that gives them the option to provide feedback as to why they decided not to buy.
2. Include comment cards with all orders—Comment cards can be an effective tool for learning more about your customers needs. Whenever someone orders one of your products, include a comment card with their purchase. If you run a physical storefront, have comment cards displayed for customers to easily fill out.
3. Offer discounts or freebies to lost customers in exchange for feedback—If a customer abandoned the shopping cart but you have their contact info, send them an offer for a special discount or a free gift (redundant, I know)in exchange for their feedback. This will give you insight into why they didn’t do business with you, so you can understand how to better meet your customer’s needs.
4. Send a follow-up email to buyers—Sending an email to customers after they’ve completed a transaction lets you see your customer’s thoughts about your company. However, you need to make sure the timing of your follow-up email is right for the most accurate and useful response.
5. Offer your products for free to reviewers—This is a win-win. It generates publicity for your company, and it allows others to try your products at no risk to them. Target top bloggers and other influential voices who will be interested in your product. One thing: You’d better make certain your product is up to snuff, or else the entire plan will backfire.
6. Talk to your customer service reps—Your customer service reps spend all day interacting with customers, so they should have a pretty good idea what your customers really want. Instruct them to always take notes of customer suggestions and complaints.
7. Include product rating system on your website—If you’ve shopped at Amazon.com, you’ve seen this technique in action. Allowing customers to review and rate your products directly on your website can build your credibility as they act as endorsements. Again, make sure your products are actually good so that you get positive feedback.

How do you get feedback from your customers? Leave a comment with your best tip.

Understanding the reasons people decide to buy is crucial to positioning your products correctly to attract buyers. While there are probably dozens of reasons why people buy, I’ve narrowed down the list to what I believe are the 7 most common reasons for buying.

1. They need to meet their basic needs—The most obvious reason to buy something is to fulfill a basic need. People need food, water, shelter, medicine, and more. This is the most fundamental reason to buy something.
2. The value is too good to pass up—Why do people line up for hours before stores open on Black Friday? It’s not because they really need the things they’re buying, but rather, it’s because the deals are just too good to pass up. This is an extreme example, but suppose you were casually walking through the mall when you suddenly saw a sale on 42 inch HDTVs for $50 each. Even if you already had a TV, there’s a good chance you’d buy this one because the value is just so good. It’s all about creating “an offer they can’t refuse.”
3. It’s new—This especially applies to tech gadgets. People love to get the latest and greatest products. That’s why thousands of people rushed to the store to pick up the Google Nexus One phone, and it’s the reason these same people will line up for the next big cell phone that comes out.
4. They want to look cool—Sometimes, we buy things to attract the opposite sex or just to look cooler than we really are. This is what drives us to buy certain clothes, automobiles, and even big homes. For some people, image is everything.
5. They want to make something easier—Why do millions of people continue to order infomercial products even though we know most of them don’t work? Because we want to make something easier—whether it be peeling a potato or hanging a picture on the wall. No one likes to work harder than they have to, so products that simplify processes are always intriguing.
6. It’s necessary for avoiding trouble—Fear has always been a great motivator for buying. Copywriters love to use fear-based headlines (e.g. Are You Making This Deadly Mistake that Costs You Thousands of Dollars?).
7. They want to have fun—Who doesn’t like to have fun? People are always looking for something fun and entertaining to do. That’s the reason movie theaters are crowded every weekend, and it’s the reason video games are so popular.

What are some other reasons people buy? Leave a comment with your thoughts.

Marketing a free eBook can yield numerous benefits, including increased brand awareness, more email subscribers, and improved authority in your field. To get the most out of your free eBook marketing, follow these simple tips.

• Create a killer title—Without a great title, no one will take the time to download your eBook, even if it’s free. Your title needs to be catchy, descriptive, and compelling. It should speak to your target audience and immediately grab their interest.
• Write a quality eBook—Too many companies market free eBooks that are really nothing more than a glorified blog post. If you want readers to talk about your eBook and share it with their friends, give them something special. Make it at least several pages in length so it feels like something you actually put some thought and effort into.
• Pair the eBook with other content—To make your free download really irresistible, pair it with a free video or audio series. This makes the deal even more attractive, and it will get you more downloads.
• Send it out for review to other blogs—An eBook with positive reviews will generate interest. This means more downloads and a stronger email list for you. Send out your eBook to other blogs in your niche to ask for reviews. You might be surprised by how many bloggers will grant your wish. This also exposes you to a new audience.
• Design a cover—Many people are visual. They like to see things before getting them (even if it’s free). Designing a cover for your eBook makes it feel more tangible, and it also helps it to feel like a professional book. Remember, people do judge books by their cover, so don’t just throw some design together.
• Make it easy to share—Let those who download your eBook easily share the file with their friends. Ease of sharing can create a viral effect, building a buzz around you and your brand.
• Offer different file formats—Putting your eBook in different formats ensures as many people as possible can enjoy it. Your eBook can be made available in text format, Word document, PDF file, and HTML.

Have you marketed a free eBook? What tips would you add to this list? Leave a comment with your suggestions.

I love reading about advertising. I have a huge collection of advertising books, and I’m constantly trying to learn from those more experienced and knowledgeable than I am. Throughout the course of all my reading, I’ve come across many great quotes I’d like to share with you. Hope you enjoy them.

• “The consumer is not a moron. She is your wife.” David Ogilvy—In other words, don’t disrespect your audience by talking down to them as if they’re idiots. Advertising isn’t about trying to con idiots into buying inferior products. It’s about letting your target audience know exactly how you can meet their most important needs to better their lives.
• “In advertising, not to be different is virtually suicidal.” Bill Bernback—If you can’t find a way to differentiate yourself from the competition, what reason do consumers have to choose you instead of one of your competitors? Creating a strong USP is essential to your success.
• “Promise, large promise, is the soul of an advertisement.” Samuel Johnson—This quote was made back in 1759, and it still rings true today. Whether you promise to save the consumer money or to reduce their impact on the environment, you have to promise them something. Your promise needs to reflect the benefit that’s most important to the consumer, and your produce must live up to the promise.
• “The business that considers itself immune to the necessity for advertising sooner or later finds itself immune to business.” Derby Brown—This is especially important in today’s economic climate where companies are cutting back their advertising and marketing budgets. Keep your name out there, or else you’ll risk fading into obscurity.
• “Doing business without advertising is like winking at a girl in the dark. You know what you are doing, but nobody else does.” Stewart Henderson Britt—You can’t just start a business, cross your fingers, and hope customers find you. You need to get your name and your message out there and beat that drum over and over so that consumers know exactly who you are and what you offer.
• “You must make the product interesting, not just make the ad different.” Rosser Reeves—It’s not enough to be different just for the sake of being different. Whatever it is that makes you different needs to be something of substance that directly benefits the consumer.

Do you have any advertising and marketing quotes that you enjoy? Share them with us in the replies.