Social Media IS Old Fashioned Public Relations A lot of people who use Social Media platforms to market their businesses think of it strictly in… Read More »Social Media IS Old Fashioned Public Relations
There has been a lot of ugly press lately about the differences between personal and charitable giving, between what a “community organizer” is versus just a person who gets stuff done in their community. I have to say that I am far less interested in any of those drummed up political arguments than I am in hearing why people chose to be involved in their communities, usually in ways that do not seem to profit themselves.
I never did any charitable or political work until after I had kids. I think it was all about me up until then; once my daughter came along I realized that if I wanted to see the world I wanted for her, I was going to have to be a part of making it happen.
I started donating to Samaritan House, a local charity that shelters victims of domestic violence. Once I had one in pre-school I wound up getting involved in PTA, ultimately winding up being PTA president, twice. I then was asked to work on Mark Warner’s campaign for governor. From there I was asked to chair and plan multiple charity events and auctions. And it just never stopped after that.
Read More »Volunteering Can Be Good for You AND Your Business
Note from Kim: I do a great deal of networking and CCM gets many referrals that are based in relationships founded in networking. I get questions about the “how” and “why” of networking all the time, so I thought I would let Early explain his viewpoint to you. Enjoy!
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We all have to do it, some hate to do it but fewer people know how to do it! It’s call networking and for some, it is the ultimate ‘dirty word’. Why? We are usually intimidated when we walk into a room of strangers with a hand full of business cards. We don’t know who to talk to first, we don’t have any idea of what we want out of the experience and most importantly, we don’t know what the other person is after. It boils down to knowing your audience and knowing how you can deliver what they REALLY want. Realistically, everybody has a need that they want filled. Here are a few points to remember as you go to your next ‘Networking Event’.
(1) As a rule of thumb, keep conversations to a minimum in the bathroom: I don’t know about you, but I am usually not in the mood to discuss a sale as I exit a stall. I’m more concerned with washing my hands and getting out. But time after time, I have been approached by an eager networker to get the jump on me. No thanks, let’s chat over the buffet.
(2) Do not start off too ‘Joe’: This is so offensive. When someone walks up and begins joking and talking as if you guys were high school buddies. The real purpose of networking is not to make best friends. It is to provide an introduction to another level of service and resources. So take it slow and respectful.
Read More »Never Pitch To Them In The Bathroom & 5 Other Networking Tips
Look, I get it; it is really, really, REALLY hot outside. And it feels really kinda gross and hot even inside. And the idea of getting into your hot car and driving on the hot roads and having to summon the energy to engage with a client is exhausting and makes you crave a swimming pool or a trip to the Arctic.
I get it.
It does not matter at all. You still have to connect with your clients.Read More »Too Sweaty To Talk To Your Clientele? Get Over It!
How does summer treat your business?
I am told by many of our clients that they track several changes to their receivables, contracts, etc. during the summer months. That is not unexpected. A HVAC client has had a really rough winter with it being so mild, so he is delighted with the idea of a hot sticky summer and lots of AC calls, repairs, and installations…not to mention the generators that sell like hotcakes during hurricane season. 
Realtors, for whom we handle many sites, also tend to see a sharp spike in business during the summer month, for obvious reasons. And since we live in a tourist town, the local restaurants also usually see increased business as well.
But what if your business does not have a natural uptick in the summertime? How should you be using your most precious resources, your time and money?Read More »Sum-sum-summertime…
My internet marketing firm spends all day online. I personally spend a great deal of time on Facebook for business reasons, and have a large and varied friends list. This blog post will help you steer clear of bad etiquette on Facebook.
1. Stalking on Facebook is just as inappropriate as in real life. If you are commenting on and/or liking EVERYTHING that someone posts, that is a form of stalking.
2. Punctuation matters; there is nothing as aggravating as having to mentally insert the missing and or corrected punctuation while I am reading a post. Slow down, and have some respect for your reader.
Read More »8 Things NOT to do on Facebook
The Internet has leveled the playing field for small business in many ways, even with larger companies having the advantage of big bucks. Large advertising dollars can pay for expensive pay-per-click campaigns, expensive social media contests with expensive prizes and expensive tie-ins with other forms of advertising.Read More »Yes, Small Business CAN Play with the Big Boys!