Beyond the Surface

While at a recent Business Courier BizWomen event, a woman I know quite well came up to several of us beaming from ear to ear.  Excitedly she said, “I was talking with another member, and then we really started talking.  You won’t believe how much we have in common.”  I remember looking at her and…

Can I Just Have an Envelope Please?

One would think that requesting an envelope is simple enough, right?  I mean, if you need to mail something to a vendor, client, or prospect what difference does it make what the actual envelope looks like:  white, regular, #10, square flap, or window?  Well, interestingly enough, it can make a big difference when it comes…

Your Marketing Plumb Line

A plumb line is typically used in construction or surveying to determine if a structure is truly vertical.  It is an easy yet necessary test to ensure the long-term stability, safety, and use of the structure.  It is essential. With any given business, the term plumb line has quite a bit of relevance.  A plumb…

DIY Social Media Strategy

Every business should have a social media presence, but many times a business doesn’t know where to start, when to start, or what to actually do.  This particular blog post will focus on developing your own social media strategy. Create an Editorial Calendar: Start with one per quarter for simplicity. Begin by placing important events/Holidays/promotions…

The Marketing Bully

We’ve all heard of the playground bully.  The kid who walks around terrorizing the other kids, typically ones that are smaller than him or her.  There are numerous movies out there with this character like in “A Christmas Story” and “Stand By Me.”  The feeling a playground bully likes to prey on is fear.  Fear…

Content Marketing

There are words that can insinuate a lot of work: Spring Cleaning Taxes Holding a fundraiser Preparing Thanksgiving dinner Wedding planning Moving Content Marketing Interestingly, content marketing is guilty of giving the wrong impression when it comes to work load.  At first glance, it may appear that a lot of time and effort is required…

Deceptively Simple

Here is a list of the top 8 reasons why marketing is deceptively simple: A little can go a long way:  Writing a few social media posts each week will help to build your visibility.  It doesn’t require long, tedious hours at your computer. You don’t need to be a Rocket Scientist:  Effective marketing requires…

The Art of Persuasion

Twice this week the topic of persuasion came up.  The first time was during a conversation with one of my referral partners.  He was updating me on the proposals he had received for his new business.  Of the three potential vendors he was considering, one came back with a proposal that made him wonder if…

Got Luck?

Luck is an interesting concept.  It’s something everyone wants to have, yet we’re not sure how to get it or even where to find it.  Occasionally we think we’ve got it only to discover how elusive and temporary it can be.  Eventually we realize that luck is merely fictional. While driving in my car the…

The Referral Partner Litmus Test

In the business world, strategic alliances are not contingent upon how long one has been working in a particular field or profession.  In fact, building strategic partnerships can, and should, begin with the first day on the job. Regardless of your years of experience, it is important to determine and know what makes a key…