tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18087395637761873892024-02-06T23:38:06.774-08:00Marketing Media Magic!Tactful tips for improving the quality of your business communications.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808739563776187389.post-14656557850927196832009-08-13T12:11:00.000-07:002009-08-13T13:35:43.249-07:00Four-letter words get all the attentionFour letter words get all the attention ... but I learned a couple very important lessons this week, and they both involved three-letter words and both paid big dividends towards my bottom line. If you incorporate these three-letter words into your daily activities, I know you'll experience the same successes I did. Give it a try.<br />The first word is ACT!<br />All the seminars, all the webinars, all the manuals, all the workbooks and all the classes are worthless unless we take what we have learned and ACT upon on them. ACT upon what's on your to-do list. ACT upon what's required to meet your daily goals. Be proACTive with your daily ACTivities.<br />The second word is ASK!<br />There is no place in business today for the shy, modest business owner. Be bold and come out ready to play. If you want the business, ASK for it. ASK for the appointment. ASK what their needs are. ASK how you can be of service. ASK for the sale. ASK for the referral. ASK your colleagues and co-workers for advice in their areas of expertise. You know you'd share yours, so ASK for theirs.<br />So what does this have to do with marketing?<br />ACTually a lot! If you're still hobbling along with no collateral materials to promote your business, take ACTion and get them. Learn how to produce an e-newsletter (we highly recommend Constant ContACT) or ask for help in creating one to keep your name in front of your clients and prospects. Post your ACTivities on your website or blog to keep your clients and prospects aware of what you're up to.<br />Let your marketing materials do some of the ASKing for you. In your brochure, remember to ASK people to call you. In your newsletters, ASK potential clients to visit your website. In your e-mail signature, ASK people to join you on your blog.<br />Using ACT and ASK, keep up with your marketing efforts and soon you'll soon be enjoying a four-letter word—SALES!!!!<div class="blogger-post-footer">If you enjoyed this post, be sure to subscribe to our RSS Feed.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808739563776187389.post-78513020400675743302009-07-15T15:13:00.000-07:002009-07-15T15:21:22.383-07:00What is a Self-Publisher?I recently came across this description for a self-publisher:<br /><br />A self-publisher is all of the following: writer, editor, designer/artist, typesetter/compositor, printer, financier/accountant, marketer, shipper/warehouser, legal adviser, financial underwriter, and business manager.<br /><br />That seems to be a little overwhelming, but I think it's misleading as well. That's like saying the guy who owns the restaurant down the street is a chef, waiter, dish washer, toilet cleaner, menu designer and printer, accountant, bus boy, napkin folder, and grocery buyer.<br /><br />Yes, those are all things to be done in order to provide his customers with food, but the restauranteur would be foolish to attempt to do it all himself. He is not all those things. Instead, he finds people to handle the jobs that he is not an expert in or doesn't have the time to complete.<br /><br />Self-publishing is no different. Authors are authors. They write books and shouldn't be expected to do every other job related to producing books. Authors could compare themselves to that restaurant owner and find experts necessary to complete the tasks in order to serve up their books.<br /><br />By hiring a self-publishing expert to partner with, authors also don't have to learn an entirely new business. If they concentrate on hiring well and using common sense, they'll only wear only one hat, the hat of the successful, self-published author.<div class="blogger-post-footer">If you enjoyed this post, be sure to subscribe to our RSS Feed.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808739563776187389.post-53866357366509478252009-07-07T15:58:00.000-07:002009-07-07T16:31:14.503-07:00A Human Answering the Phone, What a Concept!<span style="font-family:arial;">In the current world of business </span>where it seems every company has replaced the most important first touch with clients — the receptionist — with an answering machine, what a breath of fresh air when an alternative is experienced.<br /><br />Let me first say that I am not connected with the company I am going to tell you about, in fact, I know no one who works there and I definitely am not getting kickbacks from them. They are simply incredible.<br /><br />The company is Answer 1 Communications. They provide remote receptionist services with humans! According to their website, they "provide your businesses with fast, reliable, personal, and bilingual attention that you and your customers demand of your business." Although I can't say know what all of these services actually entail, here's what they say they can do: telemessaging, appointment scheduling, voicemail, unified messaging, order taking, e-commerce solutions, customer support, remote receptionist and dealer locator.<br /><br />What I do know is, every single time I call one particular business and these folks answer their phone, the Answer 1 people are organized, articulate, comprehensive, polite, friendly ... they are a delight and I have every confidence that my client will get the message. I want to keep talking with them, they are so pleasant!<br /><br />Can you say that about the people who answer your phone? If not, I would recommend you give these folks a call. Their website shows many awards they've won for their service, and I am not surprised.<br /><br />Go check them out at http://www.answer1.com/ ... they are located in Phoenix, but heck anymore I don't think it matters from where a company provides their services.<br /><br />Better yet, I found this toll-free number on their site, call them, they're in the answering business and I bet you will be impressed. 1-800-408-3408.<div class="blogger-post-footer">If you enjoyed this post, be sure to subscribe to our RSS Feed.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808739563776187389.post-38678599132185847702009-05-20T18:05:00.000-07:002009-05-21T12:49:12.910-07:00A Business Lesson in CancunWhile on a recent vacation to Cancun I witnessed a valuable marketing lesson I will never forget and will apply it every opportunity I can. And you should too.<br />Here's the story. We were getting off a party boat having taken a short trip out to an island to participate in any of a number of activities. We'd decided to take a snorkel excursion, a $60 investment for my husband and I. According to the captain of the snorkel boat, all we had to do was to go into the resort lobby, pay our fee and off we'd go. When we got inside, there was no one to help us. Ten minutes passed until the snorkel boat captain reappeared, followed shortly thereafter by a representative of the hotel.<br />As we stood there with money in hand, we were told, the trip was running a little late, to come back in 90 minutes. We offered to pay at that time but were told, "No, just pay right before we go."<br />We had 90 minutes so headed off for a late breakfast. That didn't take 90 minutes so off to the pool we went to fill the time. Soon we were absorbed into a fabulous water-volleyball game with a couple dozen other hotel guests. Next time we looked at the clock, it was 20 minutes past the time the snorkel boat was to leave. We missed it, and the $60 stayed in my wallet.<br />Had we already invested in the excursion, there is no question that our attention would have been on the clock and not on the pool fun. Because the boat captain did not take our money when we were willing and able to pay, he never got it.<br />So the lesson learned was this: When at all possible, get a financial commitment ASAP. When the client is standing there with money in hand, take it, say thank you and start to work!<div class="blogger-post-footer">If you enjoyed this post, be sure to subscribe to our RSS Feed.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808739563776187389.post-24443656713047871792009-03-17T12:29:00.000-07:002009-03-17T12:42:23.587-07:00Exclusive Private Invite!!!<span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >Happy St. Patrick’s Day Friends</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />…I knew you would not want to miss out on this Exclusive Private </span><span style="font-family:arial;">Invite to Celebrate…Today, 17 March 09, St. Patrick’s Day! </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Do one simple thing today, 17 March, and within minutes </span><span style="font-family:arial;">the leprechauns will ‘gift’ you with a Pot o’ Gold filled with </span><span style="font-family:arial;">wisdom from over 50 of this planet’s most treasured authors,</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> entrepreneurs, and speakers!</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"> </span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />My friends and I came together to offer you this huge Pot o’ Gold with </span><span style="font-family:arial;">50+ bonus gifts worth thousands of dollars, ABSOLUTELY FREE.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">WHY?...To support a dear friend of ours, Maureen G. Mulvaney, MGM. </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Help make her dream come true by celebrating the launch of her book: </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">The Women’s Millionaire Club~The Closely Guarded Secret </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Success Recipes of Millionaire Women for Building and Owning a </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Home-Based Business. <br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;">Click on this Link to Open Your Exclusive Invite: </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">http://www.mgmsuperstar.com/wjtc/exclusive.html</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />MGM is a friend, internationally known speaker </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">and author. She has inspired and motivated hundreds of</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">thousands to transform their lives—I know she will inspire </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">and motivate you. <span style="font-weight: bold;">That’s why, I’m offering and audio of “Eliminating the Fear of Self-Publishing" </span>as one of the Pot o’ Gold Free Bonus Gifts.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Order The Women’s Millionaire Club</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Today…St. Patrick’s Day…17 March 2009!</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"> </span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />Click on this Link Now to Open Your Exclusive Invite: </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">http://www.mgmsuperstar.com/wjtc/exclusive.html</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"> </span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />Thanks for Making MGM’s Dream Come True, </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">I know her book will Help You Make Your Dreams Come True! </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">~Together, We Can Make This Book a Best Seller!</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">If you enjoyed this post, be sure to subscribe to our RSS Feed.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808739563776187389.post-53679990150853540692008-12-02T19:44:00.000-08:002008-12-02T21:00:04.555-08:00Did you Send Out Tacky Pitches Tucked Between Turkey Feathers?Am I the only one who received numerous Thanksgiving e-mails that began with, "During this season of Thanksgiving, we at (name of company) would like to take a moment to say thank you for your business ..." and then the message switched to, "And, by the way, buy my (insert product here) this holiday season, blah, blah blah?"<br /><br />What the heck was that all about? It's like giving someone a compliment and ending with a "But" statement that discounts everything just said.<br /><br />These types of communications are disrespectful to the recipients. As you compose your communications, keep from mixing messages. If you're going to pitch, then pitch; if the purpose of your communication is to educate, then do it; if you're trying to work on building relationships, then do that—say thanks, share what's on your heart, give insights into your purpose, get personal, share your passions. But if you attempt to mix the messages, you'll risk losing your audience.<br /><br />In fact, I'm considering opting out of the most blatant e-mail pitches I received last week that were veiled under the guise of Thanksgiving. I have to ask myself, "Is that the type of company I really want to do business with?" I don't think so, do you?<div class="blogger-post-footer">If you enjoyed this post, be sure to subscribe to our RSS Feed.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808739563776187389.post-33082653985343031122008-11-28T15:23:00.000-08:002008-11-28T16:02:52.462-08:00A Little Tip on Back-of-the-Room SalesThis may seem obvious to many speakers who rely on back-of-the-room sales, but this little tip greatly increased my product sales for months after my presentation was complete.<br /><br />Instead of putting your business cards in one little holder on the table(s) displaying your products for sale, make lots of stacks of your cards so it's easy for shoppers (potential buyers) to grab one. There are many reasons people can't purchase your products on the spot. <span style="font-weight: bold;">By getting one of your cards in their purses or wallets, you have a much better chance of a sale later. </span><br /><br />Yes, handouts or brochures given to every audience member may have your contact information, but sheer size can make them food for the trash can on the way out the door. A business card slips into a pocket or purse with ease.<br /><br />Or better yet, do what we did, made business cards for my books sales (<a href="http://http://www.iwantyoutoknowme.com/">I Want You To Know Me</a>) that are twice the size and stand up like a little <a href="http://http://www.mullinscreative.com/portfolio-identity.php">tent on the table</a>. Our products are all shown on the inside of the tent as a reminder ... voila a sales piece but it's a real keeper.<br /><br />Mullins Creative has a great resource for these little 3.5 x 2 tent cards. They're on 14 pt. heavy card stock, full color on both sides, and also glossy coated on both sides so they're top quality. If interested, give us a jingle for a quote.<br /><br />In the meantime, happy speaking and happy sharing your passions and products.<div class="blogger-post-footer">If you enjoyed this post, be sure to subscribe to our RSS Feed.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808739563776187389.post-40425712875791122982008-11-20T20:15:00.000-08:002008-11-28T15:22:17.923-08:00My Head is Spinning with Ideas<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial;font-size:100%;" >I have the privilege of being the emcee at the upcoming 5th Annual Women Entrepreneur's Small Business Bootcamp, February 9, 2009 at Chaparral Suites in Scottsdale. There will be an incredible group of presenters sharing their expertise on important business strategies in many areas. To get a better handle on what each woman will be sharing, I have been meeting with each presenter to find out more about their business, what makes them tick and what business tools attendees at Bootcamp can expect to walk away with if they attend their particular session.<br /><br />Today I met Lori Martinek. But that's really an understatement. One doesn't just meet <a href="http://www.mbasylum.com/lori_martinek.php">Lori Martinek</a>, one gets swept away with Lori.<br /><br />Lori is the owner of <a href="http://http//www.pplusonline.com/">Presentation Plus</a>, an award-winning marketing and public relations firm. She has also served as a Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Marketing and New Business Development Counselor in here in Phoenix as well as Illinois. Lori is also a former president, board member and consultant to chambers of commerce, charitable foundations and other non-profit ventures. My point is, she knows small business. She knows how small businesses can take advantage of very inexpensive opportunities, especially through social networking, <span style="font-weight: bold;">to get noticed, get new clients, stay afloat and even prosper in a difficult economy.</span><br /><br />Just in our conversation over coffee in the e-Factory ( a part of of <a href="http://www.clubenetwork.com/index.php?option=com_comprofiler&task=userProfile&user=1090">Club E network</a>, one of Lori's newest passions) she began sharing marketing ideas for my two companies, Mullins Creative and Azure Eyes Publishing when we were there to talk about her. She's a giver, she's creative and there's no question she's an expert in her field.<br /><br />The women who attend the <a href="http://http//www.womensbusinessbootcamp.com/">Women Entrepreneur's Small Business Bootcamp</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>this year will <span style="font-weight: bold;">get their money's worth of they only attend Lori's breakout session alone.</span> It's going to be that good!<br /><br />If you're available on Saturday, February 9, 2009, mark your calendar now. Stay the day and get 2009 off to a great start. Visit <a href="http://http//www.womensbusinessbootcamp.com/">http://www.womensbusinessbootcamp.com/index.html</a> to get registered today.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">If you enjoyed this post, be sure to subscribe to our RSS Feed.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808739563776187389.post-19652922051937274122008-08-08T14:46:00.000-07:002008-08-08T15:22:14.432-07:00How to stay off your book printer's **** list<span style="font-family: arial;">We manage the printing for many self-publishing authors and help others who prefer to do it themselves. Recently one of our large-volume printers shared their Top Preflight problems. These are problems with the creative files that can delay a job, increase costs and potentially allow for an inferior product. We’d like to share these with you so if you're preparing files for your next book, you’ll know to double check these items before you send the final file to print.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Keep in mind, these are the problems, not the solutions.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">• Images are RGB</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">• Images are missing</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">• Incorrect page count</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">• Non-printing items</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">• LoRes images</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">• Fonts are missing</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">• Incorrect trim size</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">• Gutter size inaccurate</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">• Not enough bleed</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">• Too narrow gutter</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">If you take care to address these 10 items, you'll have a better product and possibly even get a clean-file discount like one of our printers provides. Ask about it. Good luck!</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">If you enjoyed this post, be sure to subscribe to our RSS Feed.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808739563776187389.post-87326267570968859952008-07-16T20:21:00.000-07:002008-07-16T20:39:01.042-07:00Who vs. That<span style="font-weight: bold;">Did you see the lady that fell off the bar stool? OR<br />Did you see the lady who fell off the bar stool?<br /><br /></span>Of course, the correct sentence is the second one — the lady who. Always use WHO when referring to people (even drunk and disorderly ladies WHO fall off bar stools deserve WHO.) Use THAT when referring to things.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Did you see the lady WHO fell off the bar stool THAT was broken?</span><br /><br />Now you'll alway get WHO and THAT right, right?<div class="blogger-post-footer">If you enjoyed this post, be sure to subscribe to our RSS Feed.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808739563776187389.post-55224686188713500272008-07-16T02:55:00.000-07:002008-07-16T04:31:26.734-07:00I Can't Order 1,000 Stationary and EnvelopsJust received an e-mail this week from a client who wanted to order 1,000 stationary and envelops. As much as I wanted to complete her order, I couldn't as it was written. Stationary and envelops can't be ordered.<br />Why? One is an adjective, the other is a verb (I think, it's 2 a.m. and my brain is not in full gear). What I do know is that they aren't nouns. Stationary means something that is not going to move. Envelop means to surround. People mix them up with stationery and envelope all the time.<br />So how can you remember the difference? They key is "E."<br />An envelope (that you stuff and mail) has to open and close ... open it with an "e," close it with an "e." Don't leave it open at the end.<br />Stationery (that you write on) ends with "ery," not "ary." Remember there's an Envelope in every box of stationery, so think "e."<br />Now, for all you smarty pants out there who are thinking stationery isn't what should be ordered in this situation, I'd agree. The correct term for the paper you write on is letterhead. Stationery is the broader term covering both. So when you order your stationery, make sure you get both letterhead and envelopes. Okey dokey?<br />Although we'd like to keep our 4th grade Engligh teachers happy, the bottom line is, if you send me an order for stationary, stationairy, stashunary, envelops, invelopes or envilopes, I would be more than happy to get you everything you need.<div class="blogger-post-footer">If you enjoyed this post, be sure to subscribe to our RSS Feed.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808739563776187389.post-12079510301188052582008-07-03T14:19:00.000-07:002008-07-16T20:19:55.168-07:00Want Your Friends to Think You're Brilliant??I was recently reading a book by John Caples, "How to Make Your Advertising Pay." In it was a list of 26 age-old appeals that continue to work today because people continue to want the same things, year in and year out. So as you write headlines for ads, sales letters, e-mail letters, etc., think about these things Caples identified as what people want and see if your appeal addresses them.<br /><br />Product health <br />Be a leader<br />Reduce fat <br />Have a happy marriage<br />Improve appearance <br />Care of children<br />Get ahead in business <br />Improve education<br />Make money <br />Be creative<br />Save money <br />Avoid worry<br />Win money <br />Avoid drudgery<br />Cash in on bargains <br />Avoid embarrassment<br />Gain social advancement <br />Avoid discomfort<br />Win friends <br />Avoid boredom<br />Influence people <br />Enjoy comfort<br />Win praise from others <br />Enjoy leisure<br />Gain prestige <br />Attain security in old age<br /><br />See my headline above ... which appeal did I use to catch your attention????? (Clue, it was not about reducing fat.)<div class="blogger-post-footer">If you enjoyed this post, be sure to subscribe to our RSS Feed.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808739563776187389.post-49871297028688492892008-07-01T14:59:00.000-07:002008-07-01T16:03:33.049-07:00Blogging with Buddies<span style="font-weight: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></span><span style="font-weight: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">"Coming together, sharing together, working together, succeeding together."</span><br /><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I love quotes, good quotes that speak volumes in a short span instead of verbosity. The above captures the essence of a blogging with buddies project beginning today. Members of the National Speakers Association – Arizona are coming together for a July Blogathon ... working for the benefit of one another and readers at large. During the next 31 days, each of the following blogs will be actively updated, sharing educational, enlightening and possibly entertaining conversations that you won't want to miss. Please take a moment to visit them and post your comment. Your feedback is greatly appreciated.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Jackie Dishner</span></strong></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://bikewithjackie.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"> http://bikewithjackie.blogspot.com</a><br /><a href="http://www.thephoenixtraveler.com/" target="_blank"> http://www.thephoenixtraveler.com</a></span><br /><strong><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Susan Ratliff</span></strong><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.blingmybooth.com/" target="_blank"> http://www.blingmybooth.com</a></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><strong>Andrea Beaulieu</strong><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.conspiracyoflove.net/" target="_blank"> http://www.ConspiracyOfLove.net</a></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><strong>Mimi Meredith</strong><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.thegoodnessgrows.com/" target="_blank"> http://www.thegoodnessgrows.com</a></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><strong>Beth Terry</strong><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.corporatecowgirl.com/" target="_blank"> http://www.CorporateCowgirl.com</a></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><strong>Vickie Mullins</strong><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://mullinscreative.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"> http://mullinscreative.blogspot.com</a><a href="http://mullinscreative.blogspot.com/"><br /></a><a href="http://vickiemullins.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"> http://vickiemullins.wordpress.com</a></span> </p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><strong>Michelle May</strong><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://blogs.eastvalleytribune.com/consumed/"> http://blogs.eastvalleytribune.com/consumed/</a></span><br /><br /><strong>Arlene Rosenberg</strong><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.leadingachievers.com/" target="_blank"> http://www.leadingachievers.com</a></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><strong>Stanley Bronstein</strong><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://stanleybronstein.com/" target="_blank"> http://stanleybronstein.com</a></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><strong>Suzanne Holman</strong><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.lessonsforyourmilliondollarlife.com/" target="_blank"> http://www.LessonsforYourMillionDollarLife.com</a></span></p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> There are more to come. I’ll update the list as I get more information</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">If you enjoyed this post, be sure to subscribe to our RSS Feed.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808739563776187389.post-12133118207866540612008-05-29T12:47:00.000-07:002008-12-08T17:58:42.770-08:00I Bartered a Logo Design for a Fishing Trip<a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPIP4dE-bWDBd-m5__ZzeJmMvrZqdm4rpvpYqZIKMlaRxt44CUhxmOPQXPuN8JmtN7XwqFgf5QNubELPPAvv3sI8AQbAIfDP_RuXlc-b9v3a1KVRoraLak1oyC2N4dzxo9-85_zY1vZz2P/s1600-h/BG'sLogo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPIP4dE-bWDBd-m5__ZzeJmMvrZqdm4rpvpYqZIKMlaRxt44CUhxmOPQXPuN8JmtN7XwqFgf5QNubELPPAvv3sI8AQbAIfDP_RuXlc-b9v3a1KVRoraLak1oyC2N4dzxo9-85_zY1vZz2P/s200/BG'sLogo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205889466206132706" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">or </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Creative is More Than The Final Product</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span>Recently I received a call from a young man just starting his business. A casualty of the mortgage industry, he saw an opportunity utilizing a skill he’d developed growing up in Western Pennsylvania—finding great fishing holes. Maricopa County is filled with urban lakes stocked with fish that grow year ‘round due to the relatively warm water temperatures so they get BIG. This young man set up boatless fishing tours and has been marketing them to locals and visitors staying at our many resorts. Think fishing license, bait, rod and reel and line, delicious food, beverages, a photo slideshow of the experience, plus transportation to and from his favorite fishin’ holes …. everything’s taken care of. Cool eh?<br /><br />But his marketing just didn’t say “professional.” To start with, he didn’t even have a logo. His budget was low, but he still knew the importance of his image.<br /><br />Little did he know when he called Mullins Creative that I, the over-50-year-old female owner, love to fish. I grew up as a tomboy fishing many Arizona lakes with my dad so I value the fishing experience. This young man and I struck a deal. I explained that I couldn’t meet his budget requirements, but, we could still do the work for him. He’d just have to take me fishing to make up the difference.<br /><br />His logo is done, it’s fun and it makes his business take on new professionalism. I’ve not been on my trip yet, but I am certainly looking forward to it. (I’ll post pictures afterward.)<br /><br />The point to all this is that being creative is not always just about the design of the project–the fonts, the photographs. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Creative is about creatively making everything you do a win-win for everyone involved. Mullins Creative is all about that type of creative, too. </span><br /><br />P.S. If you are interested in an incredible fishing experience in Phoenix, visit www.bgsfishingtours.com.<div class="blogger-post-footer">If you enjoyed this post, be sure to subscribe to our RSS Feed.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808739563776187389.post-2201044110701554932008-04-17T09:38:00.001-07:002008-12-08T17:58:42.909-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEdmGw6s8N-lgwNVzIQdzWWE2OVJimwFtm212nb7xgB-eJLKviza5-o0FqsifcWSPKmiHYxwjQDGWdN-HGmM1-ZBn3r6o0NIX5eEqguaxy2PgN5u3PJG_aDaf4qCCA0bDYm4ysThcxzSnb/s1600-h/Manuel.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEdmGw6s8N-lgwNVzIQdzWWE2OVJimwFtm212nb7xgB-eJLKviza5-o0FqsifcWSPKmiHYxwjQDGWdN-HGmM1-ZBn3r6o0NIX5eEqguaxy2PgN5u3PJG_aDaf4qCCA0bDYm4ysThcxzSnb/s320/Manuel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5190255690407733026" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 153);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Should I Tell Her or<br />Not Tell Her</span></span><br /><br />Okay, so this whole mistake thing has brought up a new subject. Late last week I picked up a handout from a VERY successful marketing speaker who was the keynote at an event I was attending. There on the first line under her products for sale was “Marketing Plan Manuel.” Unless someone named Manuel had received a nickname for his skills at producing marketing plans, then we could assume it was supposed to be “manual.”<br /><br />Here’s the big question. Should I let her know about the error? Would you want to be told? How would you like it handled if you were on the receiving end? Does the level of success of the business, or in this case the speaker, make a difference?<br /><br />I have had my mistakes pointed out. I appreciate it, because I don’t want to look foolish any longer than I have to. For some people, however, bringing light on the mistake is resented and taken very personally. There’s that ego again.<br /><br />I believe tact and grace are important, but even then, sometimes the information is not welcomed. We’ve seen hundreds of mistakes on websites that are so easily corrected but typically we don’t volunteer to point it out for fear of offending the site owner. The mistakes on the sites continue to make the business lack professionalism.<br /><br />Any ideas, I’d like to hear your comments. Also, cast your vote in our poll in the sidebar and we’ll see what the majority thinks.<div class="blogger-post-footer">If you enjoyed this post, be sure to subscribe to our RSS Feed.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808739563776187389.post-58155243134631352812008-04-08T16:30:00.000-07:002008-12-08T17:58:43.043-08:00Don’t tolerate mistakes<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9mPg1zW2ZAO3c_bLc0T8Xb6W4XEb0vbwOtCY-1nJEhxj0P74_EO15B6rtelz3QKq1_eI1ksNmeoDhvI7NOAz2rYKjo-QmH-JELUQ-HbGPoIQxlFJLqy53NziyXPs_TmpvMRORkZyNbTO5/s1600-h/2SmileBalls.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 190px; height: 131px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9mPg1zW2ZAO3c_bLc0T8Xb6W4XEb0vbwOtCY-1nJEhxj0P74_EO15B6rtelz3QKq1_eI1ksNmeoDhvI7NOAz2rYKjo-QmH-JELUQ-HbGPoIQxlFJLqy53NziyXPs_TmpvMRORkZyNbTO5/s320/2SmileBalls.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187022432336320818" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />There seems to be a common philosophy floating around these days relating to business communications. That philosophy basically is, “I’m never going to get it perfect, so I might as well get it out there as it is and forget about it.” On one hand, I totally agree. If we spend all of our time futzing to get a communications piece out that could be okayed by a higher power, chances are, it may never get out. Because, hard as we all try, errors do happen.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 153);"> <span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >No one is perfect.</span></span></span><br /><br />On the other hand, in our business we continue to see basic, basic mistakes that really do make a difference in how others perceive us based on what they see and read. So, it really becomes more about being lazy and not taking the time to educate ourselves on getting things right. The key here is, take the time to ask for help, ask for opinions, ask for critiques. We all have our areas of expertise. And then when something is pointed out to be out of whack, fix it. Don’t fight it. Get the ego out of the way for the betterment of the whole.<br /><br />Make sure your business collateral is not producing collateral damage. <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 153); font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 153);">Fix your mistakes.</span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">If you enjoyed this post, be sure to subscribe to our RSS Feed.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6