A Small Bump in the Road, or Why I am Pouting

Can we talk here? I am glad this week is about over. My VA and I have been grinding our teeth over my move to a new email marketing software. It was motivated by a desire for 1 (only ONE!) function that was really important for me that I could not get with my other email marketing service. And I knew going into this transition that there were some functions I was giving up that were not as critical, but I didn’t know how much I was going to miss my other software. I just cut over today, and I am already almost sorry.

The blame for my feelings goes to being just a little more technical than is good for me. All my life I have been a problem solver. I analyze things and wonder why they are done the way they are. I see better solutions everywhere. So I have been shaking my head and scowling and possibly saying a few “salty” words every time another annoying function, or lack of function, raised it’s head. Yes, there are software solutions that are a much better fit for my needs and encompass everything I want. They are just more than I am willing to pay each month, and more than I need at this point. And no, I am not going to name names. (contact me if you must)

After this week, I am going to embrace and be happy with my new software. The one function it has is going to make all the difference in the world to my business, and so I’ll concentrate on that moving forward. Just not now. I have a few minutes of pouting to do.

You Have the Power in Your Hands

I love me some SyFy channel! They have disaster movies, and I’m sorry, but I am drawn to them like a moth to a flame. Asteroids or comets hitting the earth, volcanoes in densely populated areas, having to escape from some improbable space monster… Having grown up on a steady diet of Captain Kirk (“I am Ki-rok!” Does anyone remember that episode?) it’s sometimes hard to remember that all of that stuff they talk about isn’t really possible. You mean to tell me the space shuttle can’t do Warp 1 or throw up a Klingon cloaking device? In contrast, how much were we all stunned and saddened by the real life disaster that unfolded before us last week? As helpless as each of those individuals in the tsunami were, we all feel a sense of loss and lack of power in times like these.

Last week on the History channel show Underwater Universe, there was an informative program describing the differences in the 3 kinds of deadly waves. Of course, one of them was a tsunami, and I suspect they might want to do a repeat. Unfortunately, two days later was the horrific incident in Japan. I’m grateful that enough technology does exist to allow the people in the midst of destruction to get current information about the situation. Many stories told with personal phones and cameras, and social media sites were getting involved to get the word out to survivors about what to do and where to go.

How nice that we have an easy way to donate money to the cause! This world of instant communication that sometimes drives me crazy with it’s incessant presence, sometimes makes life easier. If you can, send money to the Red Cross or other organization working to help in Japan. The link here takes you to an article that lists several organizations and how to donate via text message, with charges applied to your cell phone bill. Easy, cool. If only there were a quick and easy way to make things better, to clean up the mess, heal the broken hearts and homes, and get those darn nuclear power plants stable and working again.

In the midst of all this technology, some things are still not possible. Only with lots of people and lots of time will the changes take place. The human touch will always be needed. We hold the power in our hands.

Co-Working on a Broken Laptop

Today is a big day at UnCommon Sense Marketing! I just put the final touches on the premier issue of my marketing newsletter. Thanks to my new VA, it’s coming to an email inbox near you. Like many of you, I receive newsletters from other people and enjoy what information I can, when I can. So, maybe you’ll like what I have to say each month.

Here’s something else that’s new: a new office space that I am working from 2 or 3 days each week. It’s a co-working space downtown, and totally awesome. It’s in an old warehouse with great brick walls inside and high ceilings, open seating with movable wood walls to separate desks as needed. In just a couple of hours each day I can get through a lot more work than if I was at home. Well, I could if my old laptop was acting right.

A couple years ago I took my laptop in to have the geeky boys clean off a bunch of trash and it came back in a somewhat compromised condition. That’s what led me to purchasing it’s big brother last summer: the nice desktop. (oooo!) That relegated the bad laptop to it’s backpack in my hall closet. Bad Laptop. Until my new, glorious office appeared. Bring out the laptop and try, try, TRY to work. PLEASE! So, after much cursing and rebooting, I’ve determined that either I need to reload everything on my system or buy a new laptop. Stay tuned to find out how this ends.

(Oh, in case you want to read my new monthly newsletter, you can go to my website and sign up. Love to have you!)

Facebook Page Love

I’m doing the happy dance here at the Casa de Kinnaird. Today on my call (Facebook: Nobody ‘Likes’ Me!) I had so many new callers and tons of questions at the end. Those of you who were there *live* – a big thank you! You are the reason I do this. Clearly this was a hot topic as lots of new people signed up in the last 2 or 3 days. Maybe at the end of the year there should be another Facebook call. What would you like me to focus on next time?

For those of you who aren’t on my list (why aren’t you on my list…?) my call focused on the recent changes to Facebook Pages and 5 Ways to get more Facebook Page love. In other words, how to get more fans to ‘like’ you. I actually had 6 main points and about 6 or 8 subpoints for each of those, so all in all, you got your money’s worth for your investment of an hour. If you’d like to hear the replay you can register here. That will give you the links to ALL the past calls and you will be invited to the rest of the monthly calls in 2010.

Another hot topic that people are asking me about is Marketing. In fact, I am creating a series of marketing articles to be published soon, so stay tuned for the links to that. Some of that information will make it onto next month’s call about Marketing Basics: What You Don’t Know CAN Hurt You. Some will get to my blog. Once I get started it’s hard to stop me from talking about it. Kind of like Facebook!

Won’t you leave me some more Facebook love and let me know what information you want to hear more about as it relates to Facebook? I appreciate it.

Telling the Truth or TMI?

When is telling the truth just too much information? Over the weekend my husband and I returned from a really nice 10-day vacation. Although it’s been planned for over a year AND we had a laptop with us, I never mentioned it on Facebook (or Twitter, or in a blog post, etc.) It’s one thing that I always caution those in my seminars about. Be careful what you say – when leaving town it always seems to me like I am announcing, “Come burgle me!” So I just did very minimal posting during my vacation – (hello? vacation.)

There are a lot of things we might consider NOT talking about on Facebook or social media outlets. Good judgment should always be used and do like I tell my children: act as if Grandma were reading your posts. I’ll be writing more about that soon. That’s not to say you shouldn’t have SOME personal touch; remember that social media is about the know-like-and trust factor. Letting people get to know you is a key part of it. And that would include vacations, hobbies, pets and kids. But, I am much happier telling you when I return that I’ve been gone, instead of announcing it to my Friends and potentially their Friends before I leave or while I am gone.  We’ve all heard those stories about people who announced they were leaving on Facebook and actually WERE burgled.

Now, you are probably thinking, “Oh boy! Amy is going to post some great pictures or videos from her vacation.” And you would be right to hope that. Unfortunately, I don’t take many pictures but I will have some in an album in Facebook and will post some short videos I took (6-10 seconds long!) at various points. It’s hard to capture the beauty of the mountains, so I only took a few. I’ll leave you with one of the last parting shots from Breckenridge. We go every other summer and enjoy it tremendously. Especially this year when it was about 40 degrees cooler than back at home.

What do you think about posting when you are leaving for vacations? I see everyone doing it, but it still bothers me. Leave me your comments!

New webinar app is cool

Linqto is a wonderful new tool that business owners should investigate. This afternoon I am hosting my first “call” using linqto. It has all the bells and whistles of many webinar type products, with an added benefit of connecting to Facebook. For me, this is going to be great when teaching – either one-on-one or virtual classrooms. I can use it to have meetings with clients or potential clients. I could use it instead of driving to local businesses when explaining things. It would be great for just visiting with friends and family, too.

I love cool software. This has so much potential. It’s kind of like Facebook TV. In fact, some linqto subscribers are doing exactly that – weekly shows at a set time. I haven’t gotten to that point yet, but this is just an example of the power it has. Other uses are discussion groups, online meetings, mastermind sessions, and focus groups. Vicki Sarris, one of the developers and owners, calls it a “live interaction platform.” Benefits for class participants are the ability to chat during the call, ask questions privately to the presenter, and being able to use their own webcam and mic and be seen and heard live. Some may choose to cover up their camera and just use the mic, or maybe all they have is a mic attached to their computer.

One other nice feature is “raise hand.” I will be using this during the call when polling the participants. Everyone can see who has raised their hands. It’s going to be much more interactive and interesting to all involved.  You should check it out.

(I am not in any way affiliated with this company and get no money from them when talking about linqto or if anyone joins as a result of my information.)

Deep Diving

Yesterday I was listening to a recorded teleseminar on my MP3 while at the gym. The speaker, Allison Babb, was saying that we should be listening to what our existing and target clients’ needs are. Write down everything they are saying, and don’t be thinking: “I don’t know how to do that.” That pointed up a good lesson. Often when I am talking to prospective clients they ask for something I don’t offer.  And granted, it’s okay that I may not want to provide that particular solution for the client. But I shouldn’t make that determination just because I currently don’t know how to do it. I am going to step into whatever is holding me back because that is often based on lack of information instead of not wanting to do a task.

For example, lots of clients want help with SEO. While that is not currently something I offer, I am learning that my reluctance has more to do with not understanding what is involved in good SEO practices, rather than not being interested in doing this for clients. It’s a little mind shift for me and will have the potential to open up more opportunities this year. So, I am keeping my list of things that my clients already tell me they need, and then investigate them to see if it is something I want to offer. By investing a few days (or more) deep diving through a topic I may discover that what I originally shied away from may now be a perfect match.

What new things should you be investigating?

Y’all Are Right About That Phone Thing

I’m a techie. Have been since the 70′s. But I am not a gadget person – meaning I don’t covet the latest gadgets and gizmos. Technology is a tool, not a toy for me. I’ve got a certain love-hate relationship with technology. I suppose some of you do, too. Love me some cool software, though! Usually I just like to keep my stuff. (Those of you who know me know that I still love mini blinds and Formica. Hated giving up my old “Chiclet” phone a couple years ago.)

Now we have new stuff. New electronic stuff. Lots of new electronic stuff. My honey and I both have lots of new electronic stuff. Actually, I am now the owner of a Blackberry. Didn’t want one. Didn’t plan for one, but here it is.  Along with Mr. unCommon Sense’s new job is a lot of new stuff. We had to change our family cell phone plan from one vendor to another (after probably 20+ years) and therefore, everyone got new phones. Hubby had to get a certain Blackberry model for his job, and they were 2 for 1. Frankly, I didn’t like the phone I have had for the last year and am secretly glad to get a new phone. But change is change for me, and for those of you BB users, you know my feeling right now. I’m a little shocked at what I don’t know about a phone like this. I’m pretty late to this game…but the love is growing at a pretty fast clip. I was excited to pick it up this morning and hear my spiritual Daily Lift on the phone while still in bed . I watched a video someone posted on Facebook. Crazy. It’s Dick Tracy come to reality!

If you have any great tips or suggestions about things I don’t know regarding my BB, please chime in. Would love to hear your ideas.