Good Morning All,
I am "almost" ready to confess my new love of Twitter! I was one of the many who upon first learning about Twitter said "what a waste of time!" Who wants to know what everyone is doing?
However, since trying it out, it is rather fun to look into the "daily moments" of people we only know either via online communications or occasional business interactions. However, going beyond that .... the business uses can be tremendous!
Keeping my eyes open to "business uses" ... retailers have a dream come true for announcing new offers, etc. Restaurants can announce the special of the week or day! Any business can send out a tip or two. News can be sent out ( takes less time than a newsletter!). The reasons to use Twitter go on and on ... if you think outside the box.
You are also protected from annoying people you "tweet" as they have to ask to follow you. If they are unhappy with the results they can simply remove themselves. No harm done!
If you would like to follow me on Twitter, go to www.twitter.com/margiehanson
Keep your business growing ...
margie
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Friday, October 24, 2008
Some Thoughts On Branding
Just read a posting that asked how to brand one's business! The answers received dealt with all the usual ways of branding, ads, logos, jingles, etc. I am wondering about the more subtle ways to brand ... how many ways to you believe your brand reaches people?
I am most notoriously known for encouraging businesses to pay attention to their one-to-one emails! I seriously believe each and every email sent out is an opportunity to spread one's brand, via the colors, heading and signature and the presentation of the content. It is extremely powerful and a daily opportunity! Check out my e-book on this, seen as one of my "fertilizers" for you.
How about just the way you dress? Does branding go that far? The cars that are driven, etc. Is this business branding or personal branding. Where is the line drawn? How deep should it go? What do you think??
Keep your business growing ...
margie
I am most notoriously known for encouraging businesses to pay attention to their one-to-one emails! I seriously believe each and every email sent out is an opportunity to spread one's brand, via the colors, heading and signature and the presentation of the content. It is extremely powerful and a daily opportunity! Check out my e-book on this, seen as one of my "fertilizers" for you.
How about just the way you dress? Does branding go that far? The cars that are driven, etc. Is this business branding or personal branding. Where is the line drawn? How deep should it go? What do you think??
Keep your business growing ...
margie
Thursday, October 23, 2008
More On Holiday Shopping!
Good Morning all!
I have just been scanning my social networks and taking note of the overnight updates and to one would think that everyone ( I wish) had read my post from yesterday! Lots of input on holiday shopping!!
What is a good business gift? Other than food or drink ... what can you give? Try offering your services pro bono along with a fun little "nothing" gift! I believe this is a year of being practical. We all know what it is like to have a stack of gifts opened and wonder "what am I going to do with all of this?"
This year, deliver what will count the most on an everyday basis.
Does anyone else have any ideas?
Keep your business growing ...
margie
I have just been scanning my social networks and taking note of the overnight updates and to one would think that everyone ( I wish) had read my post from yesterday! Lots of input on holiday shopping!!
What is a good business gift? Other than food or drink ... what can you give? Try offering your services pro bono along with a fun little "nothing" gift! I believe this is a year of being practical. We all know what it is like to have a stack of gifts opened and wonder "what am I going to do with all of this?"
This year, deliver what will count the most on an everyday basis.
Does anyone else have any ideas?
Keep your business growing ...
margie
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Online Holiday Shopping Forecast
OK ... this just in from www.eMarketer.com on the forecast for holiday shopping this year!
"Financially strapped consumers will use a variety of strategies to save money on holiday gifts. More than ever, they will turn to the Internet to get gift ideas, find bargains and locate retailers that stock desired products. Shoppers will shift a larger share of their purchases from stores to the Internet to save gas money and avail themselves of retailers’ free shipping offers. "
The article goes on to say,
"This year 49% of holiday gift spending among US Internet users will occur online, compared with 44% in stores—making this the first time the Web has surpassed the store as the preferred channel for Internet users to purchase holiday gifts. "
So go forth ... get your products and services online! Gift certificates will be huge, as will donations to non-profits. Get ready now ... the shopping season is here.
Let me know if I can help you!
Keep your business growing ...
margie
"Financially strapped consumers will use a variety of strategies to save money on holiday gifts. More than ever, they will turn to the Internet to get gift ideas, find bargains and locate retailers that stock desired products. Shoppers will shift a larger share of their purchases from stores to the Internet to save gas money and avail themselves of retailers’ free shipping offers. "
The article goes on to say,
"This year 49% of holiday gift spending among US Internet users will occur online, compared with 44% in stores—making this the first time the Web has surpassed the store as the preferred channel for Internet users to purchase holiday gifts. "
So go forth ... get your products and services online! Gift certificates will be huge, as will donations to non-profits. Get ready now ... the shopping season is here.
Let me know if I can help you!
Keep your business growing ...
margie
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Oops ... I Didn't Mean To Send That!
I was just doing my morning reading and there was a great article on CNN.com that asked if you had ever sent an email to the incorrect person! I don't believe that I personally have done that, but I can't think of a worse fate ... depending, of course, upon what was in the email!
The article brought to mind some email "procedures" I try to practice that I wanted to share this morning. Maybe some of you have some tips you can share also! If so please post your comments for all of us to know.
One of my routine practices with email that covers me with the correct recipient, plus any incorrect "sends," is to always proofread prior to sending. Spellcheck takes care of my spelling, but I proof for how the reader will interpret my message ... tone wise. Do I sound short, curt, rude, angry, too nice, too soft, etc. I will choose different words or ways of expressing myself if I see any need for correction. I also proof the email with the knowledge that this email, when sent, is "done." Am I saying "anything" that I do not want anyone else at any time to see? If so, I delete that part of my content and either decide to call the person on that item or just permanently eliminate it from all of my communications! .
Also ... the CNN article included an incident where one mis-sent email resulted in losing a $5 Million Dollar client! This happened because of the "reply to all" function. The "reply to all" button is one to stay away from unless required by a group or organization. You might think there are only three people on the list, but you have no idea who received a "blind cc" of the email! Be very, very careful of that button.
I think you all know I love email as a wonderful one-to-one medium ... the reason being that your email communications can truly bond you with your reader. That same strength can instantly destroy relationships.
Who else has some tips???
Keep your business growing,
margie
The article brought to mind some email "procedures" I try to practice that I wanted to share this morning. Maybe some of you have some tips you can share also! If so please post your comments for all of us to know.
One of my routine practices with email that covers me with the correct recipient, plus any incorrect "sends," is to always proofread prior to sending. Spellcheck takes care of my spelling, but I proof for how the reader will interpret my message ... tone wise. Do I sound short, curt, rude, angry, too nice, too soft, etc. I will choose different words or ways of expressing myself if I see any need for correction. I also proof the email with the knowledge that this email, when sent, is "done." Am I saying "anything" that I do not want anyone else at any time to see? If so, I delete that part of my content and either decide to call the person on that item or just permanently eliminate it from all of my communications! .
Also ... the CNN article included an incident where one mis-sent email resulted in losing a $5 Million Dollar client! This happened because of the "reply to all" function. The "reply to all" button is one to stay away from unless required by a group or organization. You might think there are only three people on the list, but you have no idea who received a "blind cc" of the email! Be very, very careful of that button.
I think you all know I love email as a wonderful one-to-one medium ... the reason being that your email communications can truly bond you with your reader. That same strength can instantly destroy relationships.
Who else has some tips???
Keep your business growing,
margie
Monday, October 20, 2008
The Morning News ....Online!
Hello to all ...
It's the beginning of another week and as I sat down to write in my blog this morning it came to my mind how my daily routine begins with a cup of coffee and a review of all the morning news on the internet! I'm always eager to turn on the computer and check out the overnight happenings.
This came as a sudden "moment of awareness," as thinking back just a few years, I was one of the many that said "nothing" could substitute the morning newspaper at my door. Now I can't think of a more limiting source of news than just one printed newspaper. My online sources of news include RSS feeds from CNN, Fox News and Breaking Headlines from MSNBC. Additional RSS feeds include Sports Illustrated, TopYouTube, Top News Stories, Weather and of course my favorite blogs!
The question is, "when did I make this transition?" I can't even remember and there is no way I would go back! Guess the message of the day is "never say never!" The internet has its way of creeping into our both our business and personal life.
My question to "you" is what way are you currently using the internet that "once upon a time" you said you would never do?? Let us know...
Keep your business growing ....
margie
It's the beginning of another week and as I sat down to write in my blog this morning it came to my mind how my daily routine begins with a cup of coffee and a review of all the morning news on the internet! I'm always eager to turn on the computer and check out the overnight happenings.
This came as a sudden "moment of awareness," as thinking back just a few years, I was one of the many that said "nothing" could substitute the morning newspaper at my door. Now I can't think of a more limiting source of news than just one printed newspaper. My online sources of news include RSS feeds from CNN, Fox News and Breaking Headlines from MSNBC. Additional RSS feeds include Sports Illustrated, TopYouTube, Top News Stories, Weather and of course my favorite blogs!
The question is, "when did I make this transition?" I can't even remember and there is no way I would go back! Guess the message of the day is "never say never!" The internet has its way of creeping into our both our business and personal life.
My question to "you" is what way are you currently using the internet that "once upon a time" you said you would never do?? Let us know...
Keep your business growing ....
margie
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