Lip-Sticking

Twitter DMs - Stop with the Invites to Increase My Followership!

I guess I should be out celebrating this fine, summer holiday - but I am quite happy indoors, thank you. I've done my share of picnics and beach parties and traveling to the relatives' for fireworks. Maybe we'll do something more 4th of Julyish next year.

This year, I'm working on the house. The one we're selling. And, I thought I'd rant a moment on this blog, to give readers who are also not out doing the 4th of July thing, something to read.

Here goes: I have not been on Twitter a whole lot in the last few weeks. Travel and work and fixing the house up have all commanded my attention. Despite my MIA status from Twitter, I'm still getting followers on all three accounts (@y2vonne - @mypetblog - @lipsticking) and I'm also receiving DMs from folks I follow and...

Why Are You Reading This? It's the 4th! (Almost)

By Guest Blogger, Mary Schmidt, Marketing Troubleshooter

You should be enjoying the holiday (as I plan to, so this will be a short post.)  But before I send  you on your way, a couple of things to remember as we celebrate Independence.  Things are far from perfect, but:

1.  We Americans don't have to risk our lives to vote.  So how come more of us don't do it?  And, the old argument "they're all alike" just doesn't fly. The last presidential election should put that one to rest once and for all.  Or, read up on Iran's election (or Russia's, or Iraq's...or....); those folks would beg to differ.  There's always such a thing as the lesser of two evils, as well.

2.  We're still here. Sure, the US has a LOT of big problems, but the grand experiment of democracy is still chugging along.  Rather you like him or not - the fact that we elected an African-American named Barack Hussein Obama only seven years after 9/11 (and despite all the yelling and fear-mongering) - says something very positive about us and our system of government. 

Our Founding Fathers were a wildly diverse group of guys, many of whom didn't like each other very much...and had violent disagreements.  Yet, somehow they managed - without computers, air-conditioning or the Internet - to come together in a stifing room and build a country.  By contrast, imagine Newt Gingrich, John Boehner, Sarah Palin, Michele Bachmann, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid coming together to produce anything (other than eye-rolling media fodder). Not happenin'. (I do, however, find it mildly amusing that Senator Boehner seems to wear as much make-up as Governor Palin...dial down the orange, John!...;-)

So, stop worrying for a day about the tough times.  Go wave a sparkler and be grateful for what we do have, including unlimited opportunities to make things better - in business, life and government - thanks to a bunch of wild-eyed, unrealistic, heretical guys back in the 1770s... 

SocialSweeps - Integrating Interactive Promotions with Social Media For a Winning Combination

By Guest Blogger, Donna DeClemente, Donna's Promo Talk

The use of social media marketing by businesses and organizations has been exploding. Today more and more marketers are utilizing these platforms as innovative and effective ways to reach their targeted audiences while also achieving their branding and marketing communications goals.

I have been working lately on several proposals for prospective clients that want to get started with social media. This usually takes some education first that includes an overview of where the industry is currently at, a brief description of the main social media platforms and an explanation of the services that I could provide for them. So, I thought I'd share with you here some of what I've been saying and thinking and ask for your input and ideas.

Now the first step for any social media strategy is to set clear objectives. Goal setting a social marketing program should be no different than with any other brand communications plan. The goals that work best are traditional brand-health objectives, however my experience in this new marketing environment shows that most campaigns may involve the following:

• Increased brand awareness
• Brand engagement (pages viewed, time on site)
• Publicity, positive buzz and word of mouth (often uncovering brand evangelists)
• Relationship building
• Driving traffic to a website
• Sales conversions for products and services
• Strong inbound link generation, which benefits organic search engine rankings
• Positive ROI when maximum exposure is reached

7 Secrets of Happy and Successful Life Directors

If you haven't met Sandra Heinzelmann, you're missing out on some outstanding business advice and coaching. I don't say this lightly - she comes highly recommended by my own client and author, Dr. Susan L. Reid. So says, Dr. Reid, "A power-shot of inner wisdom that will catapult your success!"

There is no doubt that we all need a catapult, today. I'm watching CNN drone on and on about Barnie Madoff and his 150 years in jail (somehow, while his victims are happy about that, I find it ridiculous, why don't they just say, "For the rest of your life."?) It's a joy, then, to turn my attention to Sandra and her 7 Secrets. 

Sandra was kind enough to send me her book about a year ago. This was one book I looked forward to, but in the haste of many other projects, the 7 Secrets of Happy and Successful Life Directors got misplaced, until recently. Maybe it's Fate - because this is the most important time of my life, and of yours. Today...right now...as you read this post. It's the most important time of your life because it's time to be accountable...and to stand up and make the things you've always wanted to happen, happen.

Currency Isn't Always Dollars and Cents

by Guest Blogger, Lena West, Chief of Social Media Strategy at xynoMedia

I'm noticing a trend lately and it involves a saying that my Grandmother used to say: "You beg what you need and pay for what you want." What she meant by that is, the things most people NEED to have they're not willing to pay for. The things they WANT, they'll spend every dime they have on them. This type of behavior shows a complete lack of focus and upside down priorities.

Case in point, a couple of years ago - with very few exceptions - I stopped speaking for free. No ego; there just comes a point in your career where you have to take things to the next level. What's more, if you charge one organization a speaker's fee and then don't charge a similar organization (word gets around), you lose cool points and integrity.

In the past few weeks, I've received a couple of speaking requests from organizations that for whatever reason (economy, etc.), have decided they would love to have me speak, but could not do so due to lack of funding. By now, you know that I have not bought into the "economy" talk and Lena's economy is doing just fine, thank you very much. But, I do realize that every organization has a different outlook and a different perspective on the corrective turn the finances in this country have taken. Yep, I get it.

What bugs me most is not that the organizations don't have the moola, but that they don't bother to offer other forms of currency. If you're reading this, and you'd like to bring in a speaker whom you don't think you can afford, here are a few things you can offer a speaker that might make up for your lack of cash flow (it doesn't mean they'll accept it, but you can try):

• BORS (Back of the Room Sales) - this means information product sales and book signings and sales
• Opted-in attendee list complete with email addresses (ethical speakers know better than to spam your list)
• Laser consulting/"hot seat" sessions - this sets the stage for possible new client scenarios
• Key meeting set-up - if your members fit in the target market for the speaker (which they should), why not offer to set up a few one-on-one meetings for them while they're in town? This could also lead to a potential client scenario.
• Arrange for media coverage - if you can't pay me, at least help secure media coverage and a one-on-one interview for the event.

There are many more - and if you think of some that I've missed, chime in with a comment below.

The main point is, there's more than one way to "pay" a qualified speaker and if you know your budget is tight, plan on offering one or more of the above options to help sweeten the pot so you can pay for what you NEED.

Moms: A force to be reckoned with! No, duh!

Once again we have major media announcing the obvious: according to this article, "Moms Wield Powerful Influence Online" over at eMarketing & Commerce, "Moms have become a force to be reckoned with online."

No offense to the author, Joe Keenan, but... really, now, what planet have you been living on? MOMS have always been a force to be reckoned with and they've been a growing force online for over five years (I mean, really now - isn't that what I wrote in my book, Dickless Marketing? Yes, it is!)

 It isn't merely "Moms" that are powerful online. It's women, in general. I like to say we're all Moms of a sort - some of us are Moms of a Golden Retriever, or a beautiful mixed breed dog, or a purriful cat, or an alligator, I don't know. Some of us are Moms by default - sisters that take care of our nieces and nephews - when our siblings need a weekend off. Some of us are Moms who ache for children of our own but, in that absence, mother everyone around us - at work, at the gym, at the grocery store.

When Am I Too Old for Knee Socks?

By Guest Blogger Mary Schmidt, Marketing Troubleshooter

The short answer: Never, if I've got the chutzpah. 

However, should I wear them is another question.

Recently, the NYT had an article about us 50+ women and our fashion choices (written by a 50+ woman) - Irony & The Old Lady  in which she ponders,  "When do coy socks, Heidi braids and vintage hats stop working?"

Personally, I was never a fan of Heidi braids...although I've always thought one should wear whatever one wants, at whatever age...as long as you look good in it (with some notable exceptions such as Italian Vogue editor Anna Piaggi, shown at left - she's a walking piece of performance/life art, and us common folk shouldn't try this in the real world.)

So, where am I going with this?

It's a dog's world - an Incredible Dog's World

This past weekend we went to a local event called Bark in the Park, here in Erie, CO. We attended it last year, too. The idea is to get lots of dogs and dog people together and showcase some of the local pet companies, including the local humane society, and then have the dogs perform.

When I say "perform" I mean just that - there's the treat toss, the frisbee throw, the scent dogs of the Rockies, and more. Fun, frolic and more.

During the Frisbee toss, or throw, I can't rightly remember which it was - one Golden Retriever stood out among all the other dogs competing. He hit his mark (the Frisbee thrown far and high) every time. As I was watching this incredible dog do his thing, and watching his owner gleefully throw that Frisbee higher and farther, I realized that this is how business should be conducted.

Refections from a Mom & a Marketer this Graduation Day

By Guest Blogger, Donna DeClemente, Donna's Promo Talk

Well this week officially puts us into the Summer of 2009. I'm feeling a bit melancholy today since we will be attending the high school graduation ceremony tonight of my youngest daughter. She recently walked in the door after finishing up the physics regents exam this morning and shouted "no more high school!"

So I can't believe where the time has gone. I know every parent says that, but it's so true. More recently, where did this Spring go? After what always feels like a long winter, especially in Western New York, spring just flew by. It seems like just yesterday it was Easter and the kids were getting ready for their spring recess.

Many families go on a vacation during Spring break, however we didn't this year because our daughter was on the varsity softball team and they had their own road trip which was mandatory if you were on the team. So then it took us right into softball season, which we've been watching our daughters plays since they were in the rookie league back when I coarsened my husband into being a coach. He ended up coaching for ten years and loving every minute of it. Of course except when one of the parents would get too involved, which there always were a few of those kind.

Were going to really miss the games, the kids and many of the parents.. The end of the school year is busy enough, but when you add in the fact that it's their senior year, there are so many more events. Next is the graduation party that we're preparing for which is this Friday and the entire weekend is filled with parties from other grads in her class. So besides graduations, Spring also consisted of Mother's Day, Father's Day and don't forget those weddings.

Join...join...join...I'm done, already! Go join yourself!

I'm in sunny (well, mostly sunny, they are experiencing a lot of storms this year) Colorado with beautiful mountain views - at least Tom tells them there are beautiful mountain views, I, myself do not care to look at the mountains. They look mighty foreboding to me!

We have a houseful. There's my daughter and her husband and my so delightful granddaughter, who is much more beautiful than the mountain views, and two dogs. Two noisy, rambunctious, out of control, dogs. Am I complaining - no way! I'm having the time of my life!

While I'm here, I'm also working. When your work is Internet based, you never leave it behind. Even when you'd like to. As I work, checking and answering client emails, or invitations from PR firms to promote their clients...regardless of whether or not their clients are people I'd like to promote (hint: you can refer to me by name all you want, but if you ask me to promote a conference that has no clear female keynote, it's clear you don't know me and I'm not mentioning your conference on my blog), I do stop now and then and check out the twitter pages or websites/blogs of my bestest blog buddies.

I'm happy to say that blogs are still going strong. Blogs by the famous, and blogs by the not so famous. Blogs create conversations and even scoop reporters, sometimes. Blogs are the tools of engagement that bring client and consultant closer together. Unless...