Well, it is here that I bid you all adieu as this is the final blog post you?ll see?from me at least.

It has been a challenging semester for sure. It?s Friday and I?ve used yet another vacation day to dedicate to a class final project. This isn?t the first time, in fact I think I?ve done this for every class I?ve taken now. But, it?s the price you pay for keeping up with the quickening pace of it all?and it?s a small one at that. For this semester, it?s but a mere element of the life of a full time professional, half-time grad student and part-time blogger.

This semester has truly opened my eyes to direct marketing and all the characteristics that separate it from the many communications disciplines that stand tall in the Crayola box. You walk into class (virtually, of course) with a perception of what you ?think? you know, and then nine weeks later you can no longer close your eyes again with the same perception. You?ve learned, absorbed and now know what actual and real versus what you once believed. I?ve experienced a similar phenomenon after completing nearly all the courses I?ve taken thus far in this program. Whether you?re 19 or 49, learning will never end?especially here.

Particularly, the ?directness? of this form of communication is what really drew me in?the notion of cutting through that third party, middle guy, or pretty much anyone else that gets in the way of your message and outreach to the consumer. The fact that databases drive targetability intrigued me as well. Long gone are the days of mass mailing with fingers crossed that your message will magically land in your ?target?s? hands and will therefore act on/respond to your message?or, in other words, in most cases, they will buy what you?re selling.

With the ability to aim the arrow and hit the bull?s-eye with each effort along with the capability to effectively track the ?response,? is something PR efforts cannot say with as much precision and weighty gusto. Oftentimes, our efforts ?contribute? to a particular goal or objective and inferences can be made regarding the success of our efforts. Sure, we can track and analyze media, our placements, web sits and all that, but we?re limited. Direct marketing allows you to measure your efforts for continuous improvement for future campaigns?and I like that.

I?ve done my best to share my thoughts from learnings both in the class and from personal experience as it relates to direct marketing and other communication disciplines. I?m not sure how impactful this blog is or how it factors or has factored into your IMC experience, but it would be interesting and helpful to know?not for me per say, but for the bloggers to come, and consequently, for the benefit of the program. Admittedly, I can be long-winded at times and somewhat ?academic? in my written delivery, but I?ve also tried to inject some form of entertainment value to the posts as well, in an attempt to garner interest and attract readership. But, the only way I know if I?ve reached anyone is if students (current, prospective, etc.) comment on the posts. From my view, I?m unsure if this blog matters, or if the seemingly ?silent? audience cares that it is even here.

I leave you this semester with questions?

1) What did you find most valuable (if anything) about this blog this time around?

2) How do you recommend this blog be improved for the future?

3) What do you see are the biggest challenges in terms of being more actively involved (commenting) in the weekly postings? Is it lack of time? Interest? Is the blog hard to find?

I appreciate everyone?s feedback and interaction throughout this semester and encourage you to take advantage of every additional opportunity this program offers (i.e., contributing to the blog, the_link newsletter, course evaluations, etc.). Collectively, we are a diverse team of communications professionals working toward similar goals and together use this program to help achieve them. Simply put: the better it is?the better we become.

Thank you again for lending your ears and voicing your thoughts.

Until next time?

Jamie