The idea for this month's newsletter came from an unlikely encounter: I recently had lunch with a new friend named Rick Rockwell. You may remember him as the bachelor from the first-ever reality TV show, "Who Wants to Marry a Multimillionaire?" During our meeting, Rick described some of the knowledge he gained from doing the show, along with a few of past his experiences in business, ethics, and of course, primetime romance. The stories were...more
If we want to fill our heads with the doom and gloom society seems to thrive on, all we need to do is turn on the local news at night. To make that quantum leap toward personal happiness and success in life, sometimes we just need to do what so many people seem to be talking about lately: clean house and take personal inventory of the people we associate with most. One of my favorite quotes of all time is, Avoid the ugly people. Mind you,...more
When I made the decision to do free workshops and book signings for my latest book, Make a Real Living as a Freelance Writer, I thought it would be easy to draw an audience. I had, after all, done all the right things to prepare for this big event: I had a successful e-zine, AbsoluteWrite.com, sent weekly directly to my target market; I was a contributing editor at the most popular magazine for writers; had been interviewed all over writers e-zines; and had submitted articles to sites and magazines related to my primary audience (writers) and my secondary audience (those interested in working from home). But the problem was that my audience was international. I had a workshop set up on Long Island, and more than 99% of my regular audience wouldnt be able to get there. So I had to get local attention. Through trial and error, Ive come up with a system that works. I havent had fewer than 30 people at any of my signings, and Ive always sold books. I hope my tips will inspire you next time youre promoting an event. 1. Focus on the benefit to the attendee. The first thing a reader should see on your promotional material is whats in it for them. A signed book is all well and good, but...more
Okay Friends,It's time for a 'check up from the neck up'! It's time for an evaluation in each area of your life. Some of you may be saying 'I don't need one!' Well, you may be right. And you may not be. But you know what they say? The best time to go see the doctor is to have a preventative plan, not a recovery plan.So, with that said, fill in all...more
Today's business environment isn't getting any easier, nor will it get easier anytime in the future. I'm not psychic but I have learned that business NEVER gets simpler. More competition, shrinking profit margins, increases in fixed and operating costs are just a few of the issues we deal with everyday. You can lament this fact or, you can take...more
There once was a hawk, ferocious and swift. He was young and agile with many years of life to hunt the open ranch lands. In a nearby field, a mouse scurried about the ground. The hawk saw the hurried motion and swept speedily toward the rodent.Just as the hawk's shadow engulfed the smaller rodent, the mouse fell to its back and begged, "Please, Mr. Hawk, spare me my life!" This surprised the hunter and he landed beside the mouse."Why should I spare your life? I am hungry today.""It's always about today, isn't it?" answered the mouse. "Do you ever think about tomorrow?""Tomorrow? Well, that's just another day to flap my wings. I will eat then, too."The mouse scratched his chin and replied, "But one day you will be old and gray. You will have chiseled claws. You should prepare for the future now or starve later.""I do, I do. I am building a grand nest as we speak. You see, I fly low to the highway's hot pavement in search of lost dollar bills everyday. I find a dollar a day and add it to my nest. I am constantly constructing my nest egg."The proud hawk looked toward the mouse for a reply. The mouse shook his head and stated, "I will make a deal with you, hawk. If after...more
You open your computer, the flashing button says, "We have a new update for your software program. Do you wish to update now or later?" You choose the Update Now button and immediately your computer begins to download a new version of the software...more
Fiercely combative business, non-profit and association managers use every PR weapon they can lay their hands on. Which means they employ strategic, rapid-fire print and broadcast tactics every day of their business lives. Still, many realize they...more
I've been both a CEO and a consultant, so I've seen from both perspectives what goes right and what goes wrong when a consultant comes in to a company. Generally the CEO or the manager who hires the consultant tells the consultant what he or she...more
Only one of every 5 businesses makes it to its 5th year, and fewer still make it to 10 years. What do the successful businesses have in common? 1. The experience and skills of the top managers. Over half of business failures are directly related to...more
Businesses and other organizations can capitalize on the interest and excitement the 2004 summer Olympic Games will create when they're held in Athens, Greece, August 13-29. Channel this heightened enthusiasm into the achievement of your...more
Promotions are everything you do to let your customers know you exist. Good marketing techniques can help eliminate the "I didn't knows" from your clients and would-be clients. Even if you believe you have more than enough business you should always...more