By Michael Massey
I grew up in a comfortable middle class home with two working parents. I don't ever remember feeling like the world owed me anything. I understood hard work and the reward that comes from it, except during those questionable ages of 15 – 19 but that’s a story for a different blog.
Lately we've been experiencing what could be perceived as a case of entitlement from several individuals that we do business with. Here’s an example of what I’m talking about. One of our clients asked us to gather media coverage maps and to include some additional information for them. It was a request that would take probably about 30 minutes if someone in the office wasn’t familiar with Microsoft Word. This was a simple request and one not out of the ordinary realm of responsibility for any professional in the media business. The push back and transferring of responsibility really surprised us.
My parents taught me from a very early age that life is what you make it and the world owes you nothing. When I first graduated from college, I was quite frustrated with the job hunt. I had a Bachelor’s degree and I expected to be paid what I knew I was worth. But my father's wise words echoed truth when he said, “You have no experience and no one knows you. There won't be any big black limo that rolls out the red carpet for you. If you want something you have to be willing to make sacrifices and work hard for it.” Even then I understood the truth in his words and those words mean just as much at the end of 2011 as they did in 1988.
So here's some sage advice to you red carpet dreamers out there:
Add value to the equation in some way shape or form.
Think things through and do your job.
Respect is a two way street; give and you shall receive
Push beyond your comfort level and do something that scares you.
Be willing to be a resource with no expectations.
A little hard work will ultimately lead to a much easier path. Hard work is appreciated and it is rewarded. Be a resource. You’ll be the first on our list to call when there is money to be spent.
Friday, December 16, 2011
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Who Needs Boundaries?
By Chrissie VanWormer
I found myself severely burned out over the summer of 2011. I had been working non-stop for about three years trying to build my business, write a book, expand services, manage clients and the whole myriad of everything else that goes on with keeping a small business running. I have enjoyed the process and the challenges that have gone along with it but over the summer months, I found that suddenly every time the phone would ring, I was startled. Every time another email came in, I felt anxiety. I began to wonder if maybe I was showing symptoms of depression and I became concerned.
My office happens to be in my house and most of my clients know that. Last spring after a particularly long day, I finally closed my office door at 9:30 pm. Normally I would have climbed into my pajamas and hit the sack but I was hungry so I made myself a big salad, poured myself a glass of wine and sat down to relax. When the phone rang, I saw the name on the caller ID and my curiosity made me pick it up. The client on the other end explained his issue and, although I was sympathetic, his issue was not pressing and it could wait until the morning. I told him I would research it for him and send a response first thing the next day. I was surprised when he became agitated and said, “I know your office is in your house, Chrissie. Why can’t you just go in there and do it now.” Honestly, I wanted to hang up on him but business is business and, for me, emotion has no place there. I explained once more that I would take care of the issue in the morning….which I did, and all was well.
When my office phone rang early one Saturday morning this past July, a friend who had stopped in for breakfast looked at me when I jumped up and frowned. “You’re not really going to answer that, are you? It’s Saturday and it’s 7:15 a.m.” I looked at her and replied, “I have to. He never got back to me yesterday and they need the report on Monday morning.” She raised her eye brows and gave me a look. You know the look. The one that says, “Are you out of your mind? How important is it really?” I was aggravated at her and I realized that the aggravation was misplaced. She had a valid point. It was Saturday morning, we had planned to have breakfast then take a walk and I had been looking forward to it for several days. I had already blown her off several times during the week because things came up and I needed to work late. I knew what she was thinking in that moment and I knew she was absolutely right. I had set up a very unhealthy pattern not only for myself but for my clients as well.
So what did I learn from these two exchanges and many more others like them? Well, sometimes I can have a pretty hard head because I want to take good care of the clients I worked so hard to get. But finally, on that sunny July morning, I learned to draw the line; to set some boundaries.
Right after breakfast, before we left to take a walk, I went to my office answering machine and changed the message. I laid out my office hours and related that all business calls would be returned between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. It took about two weeks and a couple of agitated moments, but my clients all came around to the fact that everyone needs to have some free time and that I was better off for it.
When my kids were little, I always took time for myself to exercise, to write, to visit with my friends because I understood I was a better mother when I could be fully with them. My clients have come to realize that I provide better service when I can be fully in my work mind. We all need time off and we all need to set boundaries for ourselves.
As small business people, we want to service our clients. We want them to be happy with our services and we want them to refer us on. But if we set a few boundaries and be sure to take a little time for ourselves, we can provide even better service. And we’ll be a lot happier doing it. So, set those boundaries, change your answering machine message and do something that makes you happy. Life is not all about work. Have a little fun and come back to your work refreshed. Believe me when I tell you, it’s totally worth it.
I found myself severely burned out over the summer of 2011. I had been working non-stop for about three years trying to build my business, write a book, expand services, manage clients and the whole myriad of everything else that goes on with keeping a small business running. I have enjoyed the process and the challenges that have gone along with it but over the summer months, I found that suddenly every time the phone would ring, I was startled. Every time another email came in, I felt anxiety. I began to wonder if maybe I was showing symptoms of depression and I became concerned.
My office happens to be in my house and most of my clients know that. Last spring after a particularly long day, I finally closed my office door at 9:30 pm. Normally I would have climbed into my pajamas and hit the sack but I was hungry so I made myself a big salad, poured myself a glass of wine and sat down to relax. When the phone rang, I saw the name on the caller ID and my curiosity made me pick it up. The client on the other end explained his issue and, although I was sympathetic, his issue was not pressing and it could wait until the morning. I told him I would research it for him and send a response first thing the next day. I was surprised when he became agitated and said, “I know your office is in your house, Chrissie. Why can’t you just go in there and do it now.” Honestly, I wanted to hang up on him but business is business and, for me, emotion has no place there. I explained once more that I would take care of the issue in the morning….which I did, and all was well.
When my office phone rang early one Saturday morning this past July, a friend who had stopped in for breakfast looked at me when I jumped up and frowned. “You’re not really going to answer that, are you? It’s Saturday and it’s 7:15 a.m.” I looked at her and replied, “I have to. He never got back to me yesterday and they need the report on Monday morning.” She raised her eye brows and gave me a look. You know the look. The one that says, “Are you out of your mind? How important is it really?” I was aggravated at her and I realized that the aggravation was misplaced. She had a valid point. It was Saturday morning, we had planned to have breakfast then take a walk and I had been looking forward to it for several days. I had already blown her off several times during the week because things came up and I needed to work late. I knew what she was thinking in that moment and I knew she was absolutely right. I had set up a very unhealthy pattern not only for myself but for my clients as well.
So what did I learn from these two exchanges and many more others like them? Well, sometimes I can have a pretty hard head because I want to take good care of the clients I worked so hard to get. But finally, on that sunny July morning, I learned to draw the line; to set some boundaries.
Right after breakfast, before we left to take a walk, I went to my office answering machine and changed the message. I laid out my office hours and related that all business calls would be returned between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. It took about two weeks and a couple of agitated moments, but my clients all came around to the fact that everyone needs to have some free time and that I was better off for it.
When my kids were little, I always took time for myself to exercise, to write, to visit with my friends because I understood I was a better mother when I could be fully with them. My clients have come to realize that I provide better service when I can be fully in my work mind. We all need time off and we all need to set boundaries for ourselves.
As small business people, we want to service our clients. We want them to be happy with our services and we want them to refer us on. But if we set a few boundaries and be sure to take a little time for ourselves, we can provide even better service. And we’ll be a lot happier doing it. So, set those boundaries, change your answering machine message and do something that makes you happy. Life is not all about work. Have a little fun and come back to your work refreshed. Believe me when I tell you, it’s totally worth it.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Cancellation Nation
By Michael Massey
It’s happened time and time again. You find a show you love. And you love everything about it; the characters, the story line, even the marketing that goes along with it. And then, just when it will be revealed if the demise of the bitchy main character was murder or suicide, the show is cancelled. The proverbial axe has fallen and killed off the show. With the short little span of attention of the consuming public these days, writers better wow them and if they don’t, it’ll be nothing more than a bad romance and over quickly. But on the other hand there is some pretty useless content making it on to the screen and I have to wonder how that happens. I thought it would be at least moderately entertaining to take a look back at some of the losers.
Cancelled after one episode:
'Co-Ed Fever CBS 1979 Imitation of National Lampoon's Animal House
'Emily's Reason's for Why Not' ABC Jan 2006 A single career woman unlucky in love
'Quarterlife' NBC Feb 2006 Myspace series
'Lawless' FOX March 1997 Brian Bosworth stars as a private eye.
Top 10 Cancelled Shows:
"The Tick" (FOX)
Premiered: November 2001
Cancelled: January 2002
"My So-Called Life" (ABC)
Premiered: August 1994
Cancelled: January 1995
"The Ben Stiller Show" (FOX)
Premiered: September 1992
Cancelled: January 1993
"Sports Night" (ABC)
Premiered: September 1998
Cancelled: May 2000
"Firefly" (FOX)
Premiered: September 2002
Cancelled: December 2002
"NewsRadio" (NBC)
Premiered: March 1995
Cancelled: July 1999
"Family Guy" (FOX)
Premiered: January 1999
Cancelled: 2001
"Homicide: Life on the Street" (NBC)
Premiered: January 1993
Cancelled: August 1999
"Freaks and Geeks" (NBC) / "Undeclared" (FOX)
"Freaks" - Premiered: September 1999
Cancelled: July 2000
"Undeclared" - Premiered: September 2001
Cancelled: March 2002
Mr. Show with Bob and David" (HBO)
Premiered: September 1995
Cancelled: December 1998
Of course I could go on and on with this list as I’m sure you could. And I’d like to hear from you. Send along your cancellation favorites or others that you’d like to see gone! michael@youradherethebook.com or tweet us at @youradheremedia or facebook us at http://www.facebook.com/youradheremedia
It’s happened time and time again. You find a show you love. And you love everything about it; the characters, the story line, even the marketing that goes along with it. And then, just when it will be revealed if the demise of the bitchy main character was murder or suicide, the show is cancelled. The proverbial axe has fallen and killed off the show. With the short little span of attention of the consuming public these days, writers better wow them and if they don’t, it’ll be nothing more than a bad romance and over quickly. But on the other hand there is some pretty useless content making it on to the screen and I have to wonder how that happens. I thought it would be at least moderately entertaining to take a look back at some of the losers.
Cancelled after one episode:
'Co-Ed Fever CBS 1979 Imitation of National Lampoon's Animal House
'Emily's Reason's for Why Not' ABC Jan 2006 A single career woman unlucky in love
'Quarterlife' NBC Feb 2006 Myspace series
'Lawless' FOX March 1997 Brian Bosworth stars as a private eye.
Top 10 Cancelled Shows:
"The Tick" (FOX)
Premiered: November 2001
Cancelled: January 2002
"My So-Called Life" (ABC)
Premiered: August 1994
Cancelled: January 1995
"The Ben Stiller Show" (FOX)
Premiered: September 1992
Cancelled: January 1993
"Sports Night" (ABC)
Premiered: September 1998
Cancelled: May 2000
"Firefly" (FOX)
Premiered: September 2002
Cancelled: December 2002
"NewsRadio" (NBC)
Premiered: March 1995
Cancelled: July 1999
"Family Guy" (FOX)
Premiered: January 1999
Cancelled: 2001
"Homicide: Life on the Street" (NBC)
Premiered: January 1993
Cancelled: August 1999
"Freaks and Geeks" (NBC) / "Undeclared" (FOX)
"Freaks" - Premiered: September 1999
Cancelled: July 2000
"Undeclared" - Premiered: September 2001
Cancelled: March 2002
Mr. Show with Bob and David" (HBO)
Premiered: September 1995
Cancelled: December 1998
Of course I could go on and on with this list as I’m sure you could. And I’d like to hear from you. Send along your cancellation favorites or others that you’d like to see gone! michael@youradherethebook.com or tweet us at @youradheremedia or facebook us at http://www.facebook.com/youradheremedia
Friday, November 11, 2011
Not a Match? Maybe it Is!
By Chrissie VanWormer
Right now I find myself dating. I’m not particularly thrilled with the process at this point in my life but I’ve made the decision to soldier on and soldiering on is what I’m doing. Anyway, a few of months ago I met a guy who initially seemed very nice. But as the evening wore on, he pushed every button I didn’t know I had. I was honestly surprised and a bit puzzled since it’s rare that anyone can do that, but at the end of the evening, I declared us “not a match” and walked away. As time has gone on, I’ve gotten to know the button pusher a bit and realized that he’s a real good guy. So what does this have to do with business? Everything!
Starting a business is kind of like dating. You have to go out, do the dance and hopefully you’ll find a good match for the goods or services you’re offering. As I look back to when I first started my business, there were definitely occasions that I jumped to a conclusion and declared a prospective client “not a match”. There were several who tried to beat me down on my price and I was very sensitive about that at the point. When I turned them away, I felt my reasons were solid and I knew I was justified in my decision. Then there were several other prospects that didn’t have the money to pay but were willing to work out an arrangement that was beneficial to both parties. At the time when I was working so hard to get something going, I felt like they wanted to buy a hamburger today that they’d surely pay for on Tuesday. It was frustrating but in a couple of cases we did move on to the second date and I brought them on as clients. Several offered payment on the back end of a project and others have offered equity in their companies. Of course I really couldn’t justify taking money on the back end considering I needed to eat in the meantime, so I had to carefully pick a couple I could provide that service for. The others were once more declared “not a match”.
For those I felt there was a “possible future” with, I continued the dance. For them I did whatever I could to help out by offering advice, networking opportunities and referring them to websites or experts I believed could assist. I was always happy to take their calls and applauded their successes.
Some of the companies who approached me during that period of time didn’t make it. In those cases I knew my assessment had been correct. It can be tough out there without resources and I have a pretty good gut. But several have made good and are continuing to grow. What I’ve noticed is the groups that I was willing to assist in whatever way I could have come back to me and are now paying clients. They were grateful for the help and are happy to refer me on to their business associates and colleagues. What I’ve noticed is for those I too quickly labeled “not a match” even a “congratulations on your success” email goes unanswered. Of course, I might handle that differently, but that’s for a different blog entry!
The bottom line here is to take each opportunity you get and treat it gently. Be careful to think beyond next month and continue the dance in whatever way you can. Of course it’s not necessary to continue “dating” a prospect you know will never be a fit, but don’t judge too quickly. What might at first glance not feel like a match, could end up being one of your best clients.
Right now I find myself dating. I’m not particularly thrilled with the process at this point in my life but I’ve made the decision to soldier on and soldiering on is what I’m doing. Anyway, a few of months ago I met a guy who initially seemed very nice. But as the evening wore on, he pushed every button I didn’t know I had. I was honestly surprised and a bit puzzled since it’s rare that anyone can do that, but at the end of the evening, I declared us “not a match” and walked away. As time has gone on, I’ve gotten to know the button pusher a bit and realized that he’s a real good guy. So what does this have to do with business? Everything!
Starting a business is kind of like dating. You have to go out, do the dance and hopefully you’ll find a good match for the goods or services you’re offering. As I look back to when I first started my business, there were definitely occasions that I jumped to a conclusion and declared a prospective client “not a match”. There were several who tried to beat me down on my price and I was very sensitive about that at the point. When I turned them away, I felt my reasons were solid and I knew I was justified in my decision. Then there were several other prospects that didn’t have the money to pay but were willing to work out an arrangement that was beneficial to both parties. At the time when I was working so hard to get something going, I felt like they wanted to buy a hamburger today that they’d surely pay for on Tuesday. It was frustrating but in a couple of cases we did move on to the second date and I brought them on as clients. Several offered payment on the back end of a project and others have offered equity in their companies. Of course I really couldn’t justify taking money on the back end considering I needed to eat in the meantime, so I had to carefully pick a couple I could provide that service for. The others were once more declared “not a match”.
For those I felt there was a “possible future” with, I continued the dance. For them I did whatever I could to help out by offering advice, networking opportunities and referring them to websites or experts I believed could assist. I was always happy to take their calls and applauded their successes.
Some of the companies who approached me during that period of time didn’t make it. In those cases I knew my assessment had been correct. It can be tough out there without resources and I have a pretty good gut. But several have made good and are continuing to grow. What I’ve noticed is the groups that I was willing to assist in whatever way I could have come back to me and are now paying clients. They were grateful for the help and are happy to refer me on to their business associates and colleagues. What I’ve noticed is for those I too quickly labeled “not a match” even a “congratulations on your success” email goes unanswered. Of course, I might handle that differently, but that’s for a different blog entry!
The bottom line here is to take each opportunity you get and treat it gently. Be careful to think beyond next month and continue the dance in whatever way you can. Of course it’s not necessary to continue “dating” a prospect you know will never be a fit, but don’t judge too quickly. What might at first glance not feel like a match, could end up being one of your best clients.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Service and Value: Two Things That Go Great Together
By Michael Massey
Service and value. Have you noticed a severe lack in these qualities lately- coupled with no integrity. I'm not advocating that we go back in time to an era where men were men and dungarees (my granfather's term) were 25 cents at Monkey Wards. However, attention to servicing customers and providing MORE than your money's worth would be a welcome change. It's not all doom and gloom however; two companies come to mind that embody service, value and integrity with no expectation of immediate return.
Southwest Airlines is a as a company that lives and breathes it's corporate culture and isn't afraid to make mistakes and expose it to the public through multiple communication channels. In flight magazines, social media and a TV show aptly named Airline share notbonly triumphs, but miss steps as well.
Consumers are accepting of errors in judgment; so long as they are informed promptly and resolved quickly. I had to contact Southwest regarding a true lapse in communication several years ago on a flight out of Chicago. The flight was delayed for hours with no notification as to why. Once we finally boarded, passengers were hostile, aggravated and hungry and the cabin crew provided no explanation. Calling customer service the next day was an oasis in a sea of no answers- not only did I find out what happened (it was a fuel to passenger ratio issue) but I also received a comp ticket without ever being asked. True customer service. Interested in finding out more about how they do it. Pickup a copy of 'Nuts' the story of Southwest Airlines.
Starbucks is another company that goes out of their way to make customers happy. Not crazy about that latte? No problem, we'll make you another one. Sorry about the long wait in the drive through- please accept a FREE drink on us. Every action they take is built to deliver a positive impact on the customer experience. You might be hard pressed to find a barrista that is unhappy.
What can YOU do in your profession or business to bring value and integrity to the table?
1) Take charge of the situation and don't pass the buck
2) Offer a creative solution to a problem
3) Be proactive.
4) Get more face to face time with clients. The digital age makes communication easier and faster. But there's nothing like a sit down conversation.
5) Think about your customer's business and be aware of their challenges
6) It's about THEM, not YOU
7) Be accessible but not on call
8) Read
9) Play
10) Unplug
There's an old saying: treat others the way you would want to be treated. Service and value will flow naturally if you keep that mantra in mind the next time you have to solve an issue or develop an idea.
http://www.southwest.com
http://www.starbucks.com
Service and value. Have you noticed a severe lack in these qualities lately- coupled with no integrity. I'm not advocating that we go back in time to an era where men were men and dungarees (my granfather's term) were 25 cents at Monkey Wards. However, attention to servicing customers and providing MORE than your money's worth would be a welcome change. It's not all doom and gloom however; two companies come to mind that embody service, value and integrity with no expectation of immediate return.
Southwest Airlines is a as a company that lives and breathes it's corporate culture and isn't afraid to make mistakes and expose it to the public through multiple communication channels. In flight magazines, social media and a TV show aptly named Airline share notbonly triumphs, but miss steps as well.
Consumers are accepting of errors in judgment; so long as they are informed promptly and resolved quickly. I had to contact Southwest regarding a true lapse in communication several years ago on a flight out of Chicago. The flight was delayed for hours with no notification as to why. Once we finally boarded, passengers were hostile, aggravated and hungry and the cabin crew provided no explanation. Calling customer service the next day was an oasis in a sea of no answers- not only did I find out what happened (it was a fuel to passenger ratio issue) but I also received a comp ticket without ever being asked. True customer service. Interested in finding out more about how they do it. Pickup a copy of 'Nuts' the story of Southwest Airlines.
Starbucks is another company that goes out of their way to make customers happy. Not crazy about that latte? No problem, we'll make you another one. Sorry about the long wait in the drive through- please accept a FREE drink on us. Every action they take is built to deliver a positive impact on the customer experience. You might be hard pressed to find a barrista that is unhappy.
What can YOU do in your profession or business to bring value and integrity to the table?
1) Take charge of the situation and don't pass the buck
2) Offer a creative solution to a problem
3) Be proactive.
4) Get more face to face time with clients. The digital age makes communication easier and faster. But there's nothing like a sit down conversation.
5) Think about your customer's business and be aware of their challenges
6) It's about THEM, not YOU
7) Be accessible but not on call
8) Read
9) Play
10) Unplug
There's an old saying: treat others the way you would want to be treated. Service and value will flow naturally if you keep that mantra in mind the next time you have to solve an issue or develop an idea.
http://www.southwest.com
http://www.starbucks.com
Monday, October 31, 2011
Just Do It!
By Chrissie VanWormer
Several months ago I sat in a room with a group of small business folks who had congregated for a small business seminar. There was every type of entrepreneur imaginable in that room including the fifty something woman who seemed proud of the fact that she didn’t know how to use the internet and wasn’t much interested in learning. There was the young girl who was quite full of herself that would have taken over the room if the moderator had allowed it. There was a late 30’s something business man in an Italian suit and several others who make a habit of turning up at these seminars as they get ready to launch their new venture. As the interaction continued and everyone began to share their pain, it became apparent that nearly 90% of the people in the room were very busy getting ready to get ready to start their businesses.
I was intrigued by this but I also understood. Going into business is scary. There are so many pitfalls and potholes that we can very unceremoniously land in. And a myriad of personal insecurities will most assuredly crop up when starting any new business venture. What if I don’t have any money? What if I put my life savings into my venture and it doesn’t work out? I don’t know anything about hiring employees. How do I start? Who will do my books? Do I trust someone other than myself to do it? But I hate accounting. What if I succeed? How will I handle the money? What if I don’t have enough time in my day to do everything I need to do? Will my home life suffer? Should I continue working my 40 hour work week while I’m starting my business or should I quit and just jump in? I need funding. How will I find someone to help me figure out how to find it? My elderly mom needs help. I don’t think I’ll have enough time to take care of her and start a business.
Believe me when I say that I’ve been there and I have suffered through my own list of insecurities. It’s not easy. But dedication to your business really needs to be item number one on your to do list every day. And you need to think each step through, find qualified people to help, and trust your instincts. Most people go into business because they are passionate about what they are trying to. Or maybe you have a talent that you know can make you the cash you need to live a decent lifestyle and you’re just not feeling the love from your employer.
The bottom line here is simple. There are many reasons to get started with your own business. Whether it’s personal gain, a passion for what you’re trying to do or maybe you want to change the world. All of these are great reasons to get started. But the one thing I know for sure is that the only real way to get started is to START. Seminars are great. Books will give you the background you need. But it’s up to you to jump in and Just Do It!
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
It's All About Perspective
By Chrissie Van Wormer
I woke up this morning feeling the residual effects of a crummy yesterday. It was difficult to get out of bed and my eyes were blurry but Hannah and Leroy, my canine companions, needed to go outside and Trix, my twenty four pound cat was meowing his displeasure at an empty dish. Even Pixie, my little yellow parakeet, joined in the cacophony chirping loudly at the morning sun that was now blaring through the back door.
I woke up this morning feeling the residual effects of a crummy yesterday. It was difficult to get out of bed and my eyes were blurry but Hannah and Leroy, my canine companions, needed to go outside and Trix, my twenty four pound cat was meowing his displeasure at an empty dish. Even Pixie, my little yellow parakeet, joined in the cacophony chirping loudly at the morning sun that was now blaring through the back door.
I considered not taking my usual early morning walk because it was already after 6:00 and I needed to get to work to try and clean up yesterday’s mess. I looked around the kitchen that I hadn’t picked up after dinner last night and sighed. Leroy, my mini-pin/greyhound mix came running in through the deck, bolted to the cellar door to begin his usual bounding up and down wanting to go out for a walk. Hannah, now fourteen years old and very gray, joined in the excitement, so I reluctantly headed into my bedroom and changed into shorts and a t-shirt. I grabbed their leashes, my sunglasses and off we went. During the first two miles my mind sifted through the events of yesterday. I reminded myself that I am the only one who has control over how I react to any situation and repeated the mantra several times to solidify it in my mind for the day. I was careful to take a few minutes to notice that the sun was playing on the pavement and the breeze that was deliciously cool.
As I crested the very steep hill that brings me in view of my house, Leroy tripped me and I found myself grappling to regain my balance. In the process, my shoe came untied. I have to admit; I cursed, and then bent down to secure the shoe. As I pulled the strings into a double bow, I glanced toward the sound of a cricket in the grass. It was weird, but suddenly, I saw that summer field from the perspective of Leroy and Hannah. Much closer to the ground than I, they have the opportunity to see so many details of the landscape; each blade of grass, each flower stem, a small spider web wet with dew. They are also much closer to the enticing scent of whatever creature had just crawled across the back country road just before we came over that hill and they continued to investigate with much snorting and sniffing. I sat down on the blacktop for a minute and just stared at the scenery, taking it in as though it were something I’d never seen before. Of course I was seeing it every day; just from a different perspective. The thought made me smile.
This was answer that I had been looking for. Every now and again it is necessary to look at things from a different perspective. As small business people, sometimes we forget to stop and look at things from the perspective of our clients. And many times our clients forget to look at things from the perspective of their clients. And so it goes. If you’re reading this today, take a moment and think about a challenge you’re facing in with your business. Maybe it’s time to try something new. Ask your client what you can do to help. Try to see the challenge from their perspective and attack it that way. I can guarantee you, if nothing else, you’ll definitely be seeing both the forest AND the trees. And don’t forget to take a minute, get down on the grass and check out that particular perspective. It’s really quite beautiful!
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Stream Baby Stream
Michael J Massey July 28 2011
Stream baby, stream! Why would you be tethered to a television via programming schedule or DVR when you could be viewing your favorite episode of 'Royal Pains', 'The Closer' or 'Glee' on your laptop or other device right now? We live in a right here, right now culture. No waiting. Give me what I want when I want it. As for me, I think when it comes to entertainment, that's a good thing.
Obviously I am not alone because the numbers don't lie. Check these out!
· For 2011, Hulu expects “to approach” half a billion in total revenues (advertising and subscription combined), up from $263 million in 2010. That’s up from $108 million in 2009. CEO Jason Kilar says Hulu continues to increase its monetization, hitting $0.185 per half-hour episode and claims the 2010 average of $0.143 is second only to broadcast.
· Netflix has over 25 million members in the US and Canada and the current price increases may show an increase in cancellations. However, a Morgan Stanley survey notes that most users will be merely be forced into a DVD or streaming model which is exactly what the price increase was meant to accomplish.
· CBS Corp. and Netflix, Inc. have signed a two-year, non-exclusive arrangement allowing Netflix customers in Canada and Latin America to instantly stream many CBS Corp. shows starting in September 2011.
· Netflix and Lionsgate reached a syndication deal arrangement that allows streaming of the first four seasons of Mad Men in the US market.
· HBO has launched HBOgo, giving access to over 1400 HBO shows. These will be available on the device of choice using an authentication code. (In an odd twist, the owner of HBO Time Warner Cable is not one of the distributors!)
· Walmart recently acquired VuDu and will now distribute 20,000 titles through the walmart.com site for rental and streaming.
This should change the way TV and films are developed and produced both in the US, as well as in foreign markets. The old model of developing a script, getting funded, producing, getting distribution, being picked up then moving into syndication may be turned upside down. Why couldn't any indie producer create a direct to stream program in partnership with a streaming media property? Netflix has already taken that leap with 'House of Cards' starring Kevin Spacey, produced by David Fincher.
Wake up media property dinosaurs with your 1950’s megaphones! As more consumers realize they hold more power than you give them credit for, they'll change the game with their wallets. Now if you'll excuse me, I'd like to catch up on 'Mad Men'.
. (Sources gigaom July 22 2011, paidcontent.org-Stacy D. Kramer July 2011. The Wrap, Tim Malloy July 27, 2011)
Monday, July 25, 2011
Has New Media Changed the Business of Art
Is it possible that with the advent of new media has the art of creating and making music been lost? With the revolution of the internet and single song purchases, the business of music is even more about business than it ever was and certainly less about art than at any time in recorded history. Where record producers used to proudly produce a project where each line of each song was carefully crafted by wordsmiths, stroked and caressed by passionate musicians, lovingly voiced and re-voiced until the sounds being produced were as close to perfection as humanly possible. A completed project began on-air play prompting fans to go out and buy, buy, buy.
Rabid fans are voraciously following recording projects as they happen, listening to digital tracks on line and then carefully picking and choosing each $.99 to $1.29 track to their own specific tastes. While stores used to be filled from the ceiling to the floor with every kind of music possible, these days the racks are thin. CD’s are pricey and very few of us want to lay down anywhere from $12 to $22 to be disappointed by having only a song or two we really like. In an effort to make up for the increasingly low record sales, record companies are spending millions to find the next 5’11” blonde female or smolderingly sexy blue-eyed brunette wearing bright red lipstick and barely more than a thong. And of course there’s search for the next full-lipped blue eyed shaggy haired boy for the tween set. With the advent of pitch control and digital re-touching, these re-mastered divas don’t even really need to know how to sing. In this world of new media, the emphasis has turned to producing a package in which we can find not only music but the opportunity for selling clothing lines, make-up, spots attire, shoes, and musical instruments as well as whatever else the marketers can come up with to fill their coffers.
I recently listened to an interview with Taylor Swift where she spoke about how a song she was working on was “leaked” to market before it was ready to go. Several million copies of the song were sold in the matter of just a couple of hours and it has been one of her biggest selling songs to date. Was this the best song Swift ever wrote or was it the opportunity for owning a track that was not quite complete, not quite perfect, not quite done? We as human beings enjoy feeling part of the process and this is sort of like grabbing a little cookie dough while mom’s back is turned. Security tightens as these unfinished tracks can be shot out over the internet and hung like a carrot in front of us so tantalizingly close, making us feel so close to the artist. We are voyeurs in our own way.
Music is all about emotion. It’s about making a connection with the lyrics and music that can take you places your soul never knew existed. In my opinion, the pre-packaged bubble gum songs of the digital age are more about sales than art. I, for one, hope that in the near future, the music business will evolve into being just as much about art as it is about business and I hope those passionate musicians, along with everyone else they’re involved with will make money in the process.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Tips to help you Connect with your customers (6 - 10)
A couple of weeks ago, we promised you ten low cost advertising tips for small businesses. We gave you five and we’re making good on our promise for the second set of five. So we’ll start right out with tip number six and that is to determine your advertising budget BEFORE you open your checkbook. A good place to start is by doing a little homework. It’s a good idea to reach out and determine the cost of media in your area. Check out all of your resources but keep one thing in mind; spending too little spread over too many media avenues will severely dilute your message. If you spend an afternoon with our book Your Ad Here: De-Mystifying the Business of Media and Advertising, you’ll have a much better idea of how negotiating and buying media really works. We’ve kept the reading light and informational so it shouldn’t be too tough for you to get through. We offer all kinds of tips and advice on contacting the media outlets, we even give your sample contact emails and beyond that some suggestions on getting no cost help with figuring out what your budget should be.
Once you’ve contacted the media outlets and have set up a relationship with them, go ahead and use them as a bullhorn. And that’s tip number seven. Have your bio and your press information ready to go. Really let your account rep know who you are. They are out and about everywhere every day. As a result, they know everyone and may even become a resource to you for finding new clients. Often times that will be willing to direct you to the right place to get some much needed publicity. Help them understand what it is you’re trying to accomplish with your business and in most cases, they can help make that happen.
Tip number eight is to use the power of email. Build your contact list. Get the email addresses of your current clients and look into purchasing lists of businesses that may be interested in your goods and/or services. If you’re not sure how to go about doing this, there are services out there that sell lists. Two of the largest lists sellers are www.infousa.com and www.hoovers.com. Once your list is built, our suggestion is to try Constant Contact for your first marketing blitz. It’s free to use for 30 days and has simple templates that make your initial foray into email marketing much less intimidating. You will find them at www.constantcontact.com.
So now you’ve got their attention. How do you go about keeping it? Tip number nine is to “Think unique”. “Think different.” Try out of the box. We’ve found that www.moo.com offers unique ready to go business cards, logos, mini-cards and post cards. Try embedding a QR Code on your card. This is easy to do when you use www.qrcode.kaywa.com. Offer a special promo right on your card that will entice your prospective clients to keep the card. But be sure to explain that there’s a promo price when they use the QR code so they understand the significance.
And finally we’re at tip number ten. This is a big one. We tell business owners to “do what you love, work hard and the money will come”. Try some of the tips we’ve offered you through the two articles in the journal, add a dash of passion, keep your nose to the grindstone, put a good team together and you can’t fail. Remember it’s necessary to work hard but it’s also important to remember that at all times, you need to work smart.
So there you have it. Ten low cost advertising tips that will help you jump start your business. Even if your business has been around for a while, maybe you just want to try another avenue, give these tips a try. Plus we’re always here to help. We’ve received rave reviews on our book from many, many small business owners so we are confident it will be of use to you. Check us out at www.youradherethebook.com for a copy of the book and many advertising tips. We’ll look forward to hearing from you at any time.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Tips to help you Connect with your customers (1 - 5)
Congratulations! You’re a small business owner. Welcome to the world of making things happen FOR you not TO you. As an owner, one of the very first things you’ll need to do is jump right into is advertising your goods and/or services. It can be a little scary if you don’t know where to start so we’ve compiled a list of ten low cost ways to connect to your customers. You’ll find five of them within this article and the next five we’re saving for our next installment.
Tip number one is that you set up a profile on Linkedin, Twitter and Facebook and let prospective clients and customers get to know you. Go ahead and post interesting facts and stories about your industry. Talk about what you do and offer information that people might enjoy reading. Many of these sites include sub-groups where you can drill down and find a more finite group that might be interested in your product or service. For instance, if you sell chocolate, find a group that talks about specialty chocolate. Offer your expertise to the group but don’t try to sell anything. The sales will come when the group starts to see you as a resource.
One of the most important things you will need to do is to create a brand image so tip number two is to create a logo and a brand statement. We know that this can be costly. With revision after revision, a logo can run into the thousands of dollars. But we’ve found that creating these necessary items are no longer costing an arm and a leg. There are many websites available that are built specifically to help you through the process. Most are free for the development but of course when it’s time to buy, you’ll need to pay. Two of the sites we’ve used are www.freelogoservice.com and www.logosnap.com. They’re both full of ideas that will get your creative juices flowing. Both of these sites are broken down by industry. It comes in handy because if you’re an accountant, you likely don’t want to spend your time looking through all the dance and yoga images.
Tip number three is to determine your target audience. You’ll need to think about who your customers might be. Are they male, female, middle aged women, teenagers who skateboard, anyone who loves chocolate? What do they like to do? Where do they congregate? How will they find you? Will they be looking on the web or are they more inclined to read the daily newspaper. This is key when trying to figure out how you will reach them. You can find tips on targeting your audience in our book Your Ad Here: De-Mystifying the Business of Media and Advertising that will help you figure out creative ways of determining your audience.
You’ll need a website so tip number four is to create a Wordpress website. It’s easy to set up your initial site but you’ll definitely need some help customizing once it’s set up. We recommend that you contact Chic Business Support Services at www.chicbusinessservices.com for help with this. Their prices are reasonable and they’re very easy work with.
Tip number five is to go to www.youtube.com and set up your own channel. This service is completely free and your target audience is out there. Make creative videos, offer your goods, services and most especially offer yourself as a resource. Let people see who you are and what you like. It won’t take long before they feel that they know you. And we know that the average person does business with the people they know and trust.
There you have it; the first five tips to low cost advertising for small businesses. The next five tips will be available here soon so keep checking our page. And be sure to check out our book Your Ad Here: De-Mystifying the Business of Media and Advertising on Amazon.com.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Media Bites-April 25 2011
Congratulations! You’re a small business owner. Welcome to the world of making things happen FOR you not TO you. As an owner, one of the very first things you’ll need to do is jump right into is advertising your goods and/or services. It can be a little scary if you don’t know where to start so we’ve compiled a list of ten low cost ways to connect to your customers. You’ll find five of them within this article and the next five we’re saving for our next installment in the Journal.
Tip number one is that you set up a profile on Linkedin, Twitter and Facebook and let prospective clients and customers get to know you. Go ahead and post interesting facts and stories about your industry. Talk about what you do and offer information that people might enjoy reading. Many of these sites include sub-groups where you can drill down and find a more finite group that might be interested in your product or service. For instance, if you sell chocolate, find a group that talks about specialty chocolate. Offer your expertise to the group but don’t try to sell anything. The sales will come when the group starts to see you as a resource.
One of the most important things you will need to do is to create a brand image so tip number two is to create a logo and a brand statement. We know that this can be costly. With revision after revision, a logo can run into the thousands of dollars. But we’ve found that creating these necessary items are no longer costing an arm and a leg. There are many websites available that are built specifically to help you through the process. Most are free for the development but of course when it’s time to buy, you’ll need to pay. Two of the sites we’ve used are www.freelogoservice.com and www.logosnap.com. They’re both full of ideas that will get your creative juices flowing. Both of these sites are broken down by industry. It comes in handy because if you’re an accountant, you likely don’t want to spend your time looking through all the dance and yoga images.
Tip number three is to determine your target audience. You’ll need to think about who your customers might be. Are they male, female, middle aged women, teenagers who skateboard, anyone who loves chocolate? What do they like to do? Where do they congregate? How will they find you? Will they be looking on the web or are they more inclined to read the daily newspaper. This is key when trying to figure out how you will reach them. You can find tips on targeting your audience in our book Your Ad Here: De-Mystifying the Business of Media and Advertising that will help you figure out creative ways of determining your audience.
You’ll need a website so tip number four is to create a Wordpress website. It’s easy to set up your initial site but you’ll definitely need some help customizing once it’s set up. We recommend that you contact Chic Business Support Services at www.chicbusinessservices.com for help with this. They’re prices are reasonable and they’re very easy work with.
Tip number five is to go to www.youtube.com and set up your own channel. This service is completely free and your target audience is out there. Make creative videos, offer your goods, services and most especially offer yourself as a resource. Let people see who you are and what you like. It won’t take long before they feel that they know you. And we know that the average person does business with they people they know and trust.
There you have it; the first five tips to low cost advertising for small businesses. The next five tips will be available here soon so keep checking the journal. And be sure to check out our book Your Ad Here: De-Mystifying the Business of Media and Advertising on Amazon.com.
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