Almost Got It Right

On August 13th, remember the pen.

Today, August 13th, is International Left Handers Day. Only 10% of the world's population is Left Handed. But to those of us who are Left Handed, we secretly wonder why we only get one day out of 365. That is, after all, only .0027% of the year.

If you could appeal to 10% of your potential customers, you'd probably have a very successful business. And so, we invite you to REMEMBER THE PEN.

Every Right Hander knows the affliction us Left Handers face, which is scientifically known as "Left Hand Smudge" -- that unsightly smear of ink on our hand as we try desperately to write from left to right.

But there is another affliction the unfortunate Left Hander faces, and this one has everything to do with marketing. The majority of "marketing pens" (those freebie pens you get from hotels, your financial advisor or your car salesperson) are designed to be read by Right Handers. Yes, only a true Left Hander is faced with the awful reality of not being able to read an upside-down Days Inn logo.

And so, while you might think we jest, we are convinced that if a Right Hander was given a free pen with an upside-down marketing message, they'd immediately think said company had not done their marketing homework. And of course, you'd be right.

It might cost a bit more money to produce a "marketing pen" that can be read by both Right Handers & Left Handers, but if you had the chance to appeal to 10% of your potential customers, would you?