WriteBusiness.net Online Blog

Archive for the ‘General’ Category

Good morning everyone!  Today, I just wanted to do a “Being Thankful” blog post.  It seems there are quite a few people I know, who are going through some very tough situations in their lives right now.

There are those who have lost their jobs, those who have sickness within the family, and those who are sick themselves. 

It’s so easy for us to complain about what seems major to us, but when we see what our loved ones and neighbors are going through, we realize…our problem is very minor.

It’s so easy to get wrapped up in self, and not be looking at what’s going on around us.  I’m so guilty of that.  But then something  happens or someone says something and you realize someone may need your help.  I’m not talking about financial help…if you have that to help with, that’s great, but what I’m talking about is, your support. 

So many times if we can just be there to listen…let me repeat that…to listen, it would mean so much.  We all could use someone to listen to what’s going on.  Even if you don’t have the answer, as a matter of fact, the person you are listening to probably isn’t wanting an answer…they just need someone to listen.

I’m so thankful I woke up this morning.  I’m thankful I was able to get out of the bed and move around.  I’m thankful  I do have a job to go to.   I’m thankful for my wonderful, loving family.  I’m thankful for great co-workers…are you getting the picture here?  Think about it…really think about it.  Start a list of what you are thankful for…you woke up today didn’t you? 

So, my challenge to you today:  Who around you is having a tough time…could you just offer to listen to them today.  It will be a blessing to them to have you listen, but the bigger blessing is to YOU…for taking the time to listen.

Muffie cat enjoying the new deck.

I’m so excited, I’ve got to share our news…we’ve just had a deck installed on our home!

Our 1 - 1/2 acre lot is very wooded and as the sun goes down behind the trees our backyard is completely shaded, making it the ideal spot for a nice, private retreat!

We originally had a 12 x 18 foot concrete patio that had seen much better days.  Jack, my husband, had the contractor build the deck 12 x 16 foot with an extention for his Webber grill.  This way the grill doesn’t take up any of the actual deck area and the 2 extra feet of concrete gives us a level place to step as we step off onto the “ground”.  

I have a problem with steps.  With the patio, there were four brick steps the width of our atrium double doors leading down to the patio and really created a problem for me going in and out.  So we had him construct the steps 1/2 the height of regualr steps.  This makes it so much easier for me to go up and down. 

But what I think I enjoy most about the deck is that it is flush with the bottom of the atrium doors.  I can just open our door and step out onto our beautiful deck without having to deal with any steps.  What a wonderful feeling! 

My daughter,Stacey, posted my previous post and she introduced our cat, Muffin, to you.  Well, Muffie has made claim to the deck already!  In fact we have named the railings “Muffin’s Peak” because she walks the railings or she lays down on them in certain spots as she overlooks the “North 40″.  If you look closely, you can see her in the corner of the picture getting ready to jump up on the railings. 

We’ve added our deck furniture since this picture was taken and when Muffie isn’t walking or laying on the railing she enjoys laying underneath the loveseat or the table.  We are so fortunate she allows us to share HER deck with her!  If you have a cat, you know what I mean. 

Part of the reason for these last two posts is Stacey has been showing me how to add images to my blog and these pictures were on my computer. 

Thank you for sharing our deck with us.  We’re looking forward to many evenings of sitting outside…Jack with his diet Pepsi and me with my sweet tea (I’m a Southern girl!).   Hey, we’ll even leave the light on for you!

No wonder mom can't get anything done!

This is Stacey - Livvie’s daughter.  To the left is a picture of my beloved Muffie cat, who often supervises mom while she surf’s the ‘net and writes content.  Isn’t she gorgeous?  Mom and dad have been taking care of  her since I moved into my townhome several years ago.

Muffie’s been in the family for close to 10 years now, and she still thinks she’s 2.  She gets into everything, and has more energy at her age (60+ in human  years, I think) than most of us have ever had.  She came to us as a stray just before Christmas 1999 and she’s had her paws on our hearts ever since.   She’s indoor / outdoor and definitely rules the roost. 

My dad has even been known to run to the local grocery store specifically to get her some fresh deli chicken meat. Now is that not devotion?  He is not a cat person, but he really loves her and she loves him.  I am here at mom’s for the weekend and part of the reason is to see Muffie, who is my baby girl.   In fact, Muffie is asleep right now in the hall, but she will probably get up and join me in my home-away-from-home bedroom as soon as I wrap up what I am doing and goes to bed.  She has been sleeping in the same “beddy box” (an old Amazon.com box I received with books in it several years ago) forever.

Anyway, just thought you’d like to see a little taste of what life was like in la casa de Livvie

Be positive: Uncertain times can bring about anxious and uneasy feelings.  Being positive and maintaining a positive attitude is critical at this time.  You have a tremendous opportunity for impacting your team’s attitude.  Accent the positive!

Celebrate successes:  Concentrate on what’s going right instead of centering on what was done wrong.  Your “success� metrics may have to be measured on a smaller scale for now, but celebrate your accomplishments each week!

“Pin-Point Focus� your marketing:  What worked in the past may not be what’s needed for today.  Re-evaluate (closely) the content of your marketing materials and web site content to make sure they are valid and applicable to today’s changing marketplace.  These are tight times.  You need results for right now, not long term results… that can come later.

• Rewrite your web site content to communicate value, risk free offers, and  stress guarantees
• “Pin-Point� messages emphasizing value, cost savings, and special discounts
• Emphasize free trials, free gifts and even free shipping
• “Pin-Point� what your customers can expect for their investment
• Increase online marketing and e-mail marketing – reduce time spent branding.

Make it personal:  Keep current customers happy – do not take them for granted.  Now is the time to “talkâ€? to your customers by e-mail or telephone. Talk about the uncertain times, their new concerns and changing values, where do they stand in these challenging times, and what you can do to help.  Let them know you are there for them.  You can bet your competition is contacting them!

• Remember:  It’s more cost effective to market to existing customers than trying to get new customers, especially in downtimes.
• Keep sending direct mails and e-mails (set up autoresponder e-mail campaigns)
• Continue marketing and advertising – now is not the time to stop or cut back! This can help you gain a larger section in your marketplace and establish your expertise, especially if your competition is cutting back during this time.

Be seen:  Always…keep your name in front of your customers and potential customers.  Whenever there’s a change, a new web site or new/updated content, your business opens, or you write an e-book,  e-mail your customers, business associates, and even friends.  Also send out Press Releases to the media and post to online Press Release sites.  Publicity is the most powerful way of advertising and it’s Free!!

Social media is using online communities for increasing your business/practice exposure, building relationships, and ultimately creates an incredible opportunity to develop profitable relationships, to be responsive to your market and allow your clients/patients to know you care. 

What does this new marketing arena  mean to you, a business owner?  Social media is a bridge that gives you access to people, information, and even companies that in the past you didn’t have access to.  You can now do for free what it used to cost you thousands of dollars to do…make contacts. 

With this new change comes new “rules of engagement” from traditional marketing. 

5 Rules of Engagement for Social Media Marketing:

• #1 – Social media sites are not about making sales, they are about making contact and building relationships…for establishing credibility and trust.  Word of mouth advertising
• Build a quality network- target the people you associate with in your niche market
• Give quality content – building your brand/your time
• Consistency- Be consistent with your time, your content, your marketing
• Transparency and authenticity- A strategic key: Whatever is done must be done with quality!

Remember:  You are developing profitable relationships.  Everything you do should have a strategic intent.